What is a laser cutter?

Have you ever wondered how to get those perfect, detailed cuts in wood, plastic or metal? Often the answer is a laser cutter. A laser cutter is a computer-controlled machine that uses a highly focused laser beam to cut, engrave or mark materials. By concentrating the beam to an extremely small spot, the temperature is raised so much that the material melts, burns or evaporates exactly along the desired contour. The cutting head or material moves at the same time at a constant speed, which allows the machine to create cuts with tolerances down to tenths of a millimeter. The result is clean and precise edges which are difficult to achieve with traditional methods.

The most common in industry are CO₂ lasers, which are used for organic materials such as wood and plastic, and fiber lasers, which are suitable for metals. Thanks to this technology, a laser cutter can handle everything from thin parts to thicker materials at high speed, making it an indispensable tool in both production and design.

How does a laser cutter work?

A laser cutter works by A strong laser beam is focused on the material so that it heats up and either melts, burns or vaporizes exactly where the beam hits.. At the same time, the laser head is controlled by a computer program that follows a digital pattern, allowing the machine to cut or engrave with impressive precision. To keep the cut clean, a cutting gas blows away molten material and fumes during the process.

The laser beam itself is created in a resonator and then guided via mirrors or fiber optic cables to the cutting head, where it is focused by a lens. Thanks to the high energy, precise focusing and precise movements of the machine, laser cutting can create incredibly clean cuts. Modern machines can even cut up to 25 mm thick steel without any problems.

But a laser cutter is not just about cutting. By adjusting the power, the same machine can be used to engrave – that is, to remove or discolor the surface layer to create text, images or patterns on the material. That is why we sometimes talk about laser engravers and sometimes about laser cutters – but fundamentally both are based on the same technology.

Problems you solve with a laser cutter

With conventional cutting tools, you often get uneven edges, and it takes a lot of time and effort to cut precise shapes. The tools can also wear out quickly, requiring frequent replacement, risking unplanned downtime and higher costs. Some materials are also delicate and can easily break when cut with traditional tools.

With a laser cutter, you can avoid much of this. It cuts with clean cuts and delivers the same results every time it is used. Since the laser does not have to touch the material, both wear on tools and the risk of damage to the workpiece are reduced. In addition, the laser cutter requires almost no maintenance, which saves both time and money in the long run.

Common laser cutting methods

There are several ways to laser cut, adapted to different materials and applications. Here are the most common methods and how they work:

Fusion cutting

The laser melts the material, and a gas (often nitrogen or argon) blows the melt away from the cut.

• Results: smooth edges without oxide or burn marks.
• Suitable for: not only metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, but also plastic materials such as acrylic, where you get a clear, polished cut surface.
• Advantage: high edge quality that often does not require any post-processing.

Flame cutting (burn cutting)

Here, a reactive gas, usually oxygen, is used, which reacts with the heated metal and adds extra heat.

• Results: makes it possible to cut thicker materials.
• Suitable for: especially carbon steel and structural steel.
• Disadvantage: leaves oxide on the cut surface that may need to be ground away.
• Most commonly used in: heavy industrial machinery

Sublimation cutting (evaporation cutting)

The laser vaporizes the material directly instead of melting it.

• Results: very fine cut surface with minimal slag.
• Suitable for: thin materials or when you want the highest possible precision – for example plastic films, veneer, paper and textiles.
• Advantage: clean edges even in sensitive organic materials.
• Disadvantage: the process is slower and requires more energy per thickness.

Precision cutting with pulse laser

Instead of a uniform beam, short, powerful pulses are used. Small holes are formed that overlap and create the cut.

• Results: very detailed shapes with minimal heat impact.
• Suitable for: thin and sensitive components, such as electronics and medical parts.
• Disadvantage: relatively slow method for larger geometries.

Thermal cracking (controlled cracking)

For brittle materials such as glass or ceramics, thermal stresses are used. The laser heats locally, a crack is initiated and guided along a contour.

• Results: smooth edges without melting.
• Suitable for: glass and ceramics in simpler forms.
• Limitation: cannot be used for complex patterns.

Combining methods

Some processes can be combined. For example, gas mixtures (nitrogen + oxygen) can be used to achieve a balance between high speed and good edge quality in certain metals.

How does cutting in different materials work with a Trotec laser?

Trotec flatbed lasers use both sublimation cutting (evaporation) and fusion cutting, depending on the material being processed:

• Wood & paper: The material evaporates instantly – the cut becomes clean and narrow, sometimes with a dark edge that provides a natural contrast.
• Acrylic & plastics: The material melts and is blown away, resulting in smooth, polished edges that look finished straight from the machine.
• Textile, foam & thin films: The material evaporates or easily fuses together at the edge, preventing fraying and providing a clean edge.

Pulse laser is available in some Trotec fiber lasers for engraving/marking, but not in their regular flatbed lasers for cutting.

Thanks to this flexibility, the same Trotec laser can be used for a wide range of materials – from acrylic signs to cardboard packaging or wooden decor.

Parameters affecting laser cutting

To get good results with laser cutting, several settings need to be adjusted. The most important ones are:

Focus point: Where the laser is focused affects the width and quality of the cut. A small focal spot produces finer cuts but must be set correctly in relation to the thickness of the material.

Laser power: Higher power allows you to cut thicker materials and increases speed. However, too much power can burn the material, so balance is important.

Cutting speed: If you go too fast, the laser won't have time to cut through. If you go too slow, too much heat builds up and the edges get burned.

Continuous or pulsed laser: Continuous mode is used for fast cutting of thicker materials. Pulsed laser provides more control and is often used for engraving or delicate details.

Cutting gas: The gas blows away the melt and affects the quality of the cut. Air or nitrogen gives clean edges, especially in plastics and acrylics. In metal cutting, oxygen is sometimes used for faster cutting, but it leaves oxide.

Material properties: Different materials react differently to lasers. Wood and fabric absorb CO₂ light well, while reflective metals like aluminum are cut better with fiber lasers.

What materials can be laser cut?

A big advantage of lasers is that the same machine can be adapted to many different materials, just by adjusting the settings. Wood, acrylic and paper are some of the most popular, but even metals can be cut with the right type of laser. At the same time, there are materials that are difficult, unsuitable or even dangerous to process with a laser. The table below gives an overview:

How laser cutters are used in practice

Laser cutting is used today in a wide range of industries, from heavy industry to crafts and design. Some examples of applications:

Industrial manufacturing

In industry, laser cutters are used to quickly and efficiently cut out parts for machinery, vehicles, and electronics. Above all, the technology helps limit waste and ensure that each part reflects the design sketch.

Signs, architecture & interior design

Used for cut-out letters, logos, patterns and detailed models. Enables intricate designs in wood, acrylic, cardboard and plastic for signs, furniture and decorations.

Learn more about sign engraving and laser cutting

Education, hobby & prototypes

Common in schools, makerspaces and startups. Perfect for quickly prototyping in wood, acrylic or cardboard, as well as for art, model making and hobby projects.

The list could be made even longer – laser cutting can also be found in areas as diverse as construction industry (e.g. laser-patterned facade panels), arts and crafts (works of art cut out of paper or wood), packaging industry (decorated cardboard gift boxes), and more.

The difference between laser cutters and laser engraving machines

A common question is what really differentiates a laser cutter from a laser engraver. They are basically based on the same technology – a CO₂ or fiber laser that moves in the x and y directions (or with a galvo scanner). It is the settings that determine whether the machine is used to cut through the material or to engrave on the surfaceTherefore, the concepts are more linked to the area of ​​application than to the design of the machine.

There are still some practical differences to consider:

• Effect and optics: Laser cutters are often equipped with higher laser power and optics that can penetrate thicker materials. Laser engravers may have lower power but prioritize speed and high resolution to create fine details.
• Workspace and handling: Machines used for cutting often have larger work surfaces for whole sheets of wood, acrylic, cardboard or fabric. Engraving machines, on the other hand, can be more compact and sometimes equipped with accessories such as rotary units for engraving cylindrical objects such as glass or bottles.
• Software and workflow: Engraving often uses raster images (e.g. photos) that need to be processed in the software, while cutting is based on vector graphics with precise dimensions. In modern software, it is possible to combine both in the same job, such as Trotec Ruby, for example, to engrave a logo and then cut it out.

In practice, most modern CO₂ laser machines can perform both engraving and cutting in the same workflow, making them very flexible. However, in industrial metal marking, specialized fiber lasers are often used, which are built for fast and precise surface engraving but not for cutting thicker materials. At the same time, there are hybrid machines with both CO₂ and fiber lasers in the same system, which allows you to cover an even wider range of materials and applications.

Choosing the right laser cutter for your needs.

Material and thickness

Decide what materials you will be working with. CO₂ lasers are suitable for wood, acrylic and other non-metals. Fiber lasers are better for metal engraving and thinner metal cutting. Also consider how thick you need to be able to cut – this will determine the power required.

Workspace

Choose the machine size based on your most common jobs. A larger work surface provides flexibility for large sheets or many small parts at once, but takes up more space and costs more.

Power and speed

Higher power allows for both the ability to cut thicker materials and faster production. For engraving, speed and pulse control are also important, especially for detailed images.

Features and accessories

Consider needs such as autofocus, rotating unit for bottles/glasses, camera system for printed sheets and above all a good extraction system. The software should be both user-friendly and powerful.

Service and quality

Choose a supplier with local support, training and good warranties. Cheap entry-level machines may be tempting, but professional systems provide higher reliability, better components and a long lifespan.

Budget and investment

There are large price differences between different laser cutters. Although a simpler machine may be attractive for price reasons, it can often be worthwhile in the long run to invest in a model with greater capacity. A more advanced machine can work faster, produce better results and reduce the amount of manual work, which can therefore mean greater savings in the long run.

Below is our range of laser cutter you will find a table with feature comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Cutters

How thick can you cut with a laser?

It depends on the laser power and material. Powerful industrial lasers with high kW can cut over 20 mm of steel, while small hobby lasers (about 40 W) can handle around 6 mm of acrylic or 3 mm of wood. In general, CO₂ lasers are good for up to 10–15 mm in non-metals, and fiber lasers can handle sheet metal in the same range. For larger thicknesses, methods such as waterjet cutting or plasma cutting are often more effective. Thicker materials are also slower to cut, but the precision is still very high – for example, 10 mm of acrylic can be cut with ±0,1 mm accuracy.

How quickly can you learn to use a laser cutter?

It varies, but many users learn the basics within a few hours with the right tutorial and software. Trotec's Ruby software is intuitive and takes you from the design phase to manufacturing in a simple way. It is easy to use and requires only a little training to get started quickly.

Is laser cutting safe?

Absolutely! Modern laser cutters are equipped with safety features such as protective covers, temperature sensors, safety switches and emergency stop buttons to minimize errors and damage.

Trotec machines are also CE marked, which means they comply with EU regulations for safety, health and the environment. This means that you as a user can be confident that the machine is safe to use and that it complies with the applicable laws.

How much maintenance does a laser cutter need?

Modern laser cutters often require minimal maintenance beyond simple cleaning. Trotec laser cutters are designed to be almost maintenance-free, but simple routines such as cleaning lenses and mirrors are important to ensure the machine lasts a long time and functions flawlessly.

Is laser cutting expensive to operate?

Operating costs consist mainly of electricity, any cutting gas, and maintenance of the optics and laser source. Electricity consumption is often low – a few kronor per hour – and fiber lasers are even more energy efficient. Gas can cost more when cutting metal, but for many materials only air is used. Maintenance is required, but compared to mechanical methods, there is no tool wear. Overall, laser cutting is not unreasonably expensive, and the high productivity means that the cost per part is low.

Trotec laser cutters – models and advantages

Trotec is one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional laser cutters and offers models for everything from small businesses to industrial production. Here is an overview of the most important series:

Speedy series

Trotec's most famous series for engraving and cutting.

• Models from Speedy 50 to Speedy 400 (the fastest laser engraving machine on the market), including SP 500 for larger formats.
• Available with CO₂ laser for wood, acrylic, paper, textile etc.
• Flexx models combines CO₂ and fiber lasers in the same machine – perfect for both organic materials and metal marking. Can cut metal foil up to 0,5 mm.
• Built for daily use with high speed, precision and long life.

Q series

An intermediate option that balances price and performance.

• Robust construction and CO₂ laser for acrylic, wood, textiles, etc.
• Built-in DC CO₂ laser source for fast cutting and CeramiCore RF CO₂ for high-quality engraving.
• Fewer premium features than the Speedy series but the same high reliability.

Ruby® – smart software for efficient workflow

Trotec's own software for design, management and production in one system.

• Imports files directly (PDF, SVG, AI, JPG, etc.) and optimizes them for laser processing.
• Makes it possible to control multiple machines, distribute jobs across networks, and work both online and offline.
• Supports both engraving and cutting in the same job – easy to combine raster images and vector graphics.
• Streamlines workflow, reduces the risk of errors and saves time in production.

Read more about how to Step by step engraving plastic signs with Trotec Ruby

Collaboration with Eurolaser

We also offer advanced solutions for large-format cutting in textiles, composites and other demanding materials through Eurolaser – a strong complement to the existing range:

• M-series: Compact models for smaller formats, suitable for companies that want high precision but don't need the largest work surfaces.
• XL series: Mid-sized system with a larger work surface, perfect for production in textiles, sheet materials or signs.
• 3XL-3200: Eurolaser's flagship for large character production. Work surfaces up to 3,2 meters wide make it possible to cut entire textile webs or very large acrylic sheets without joints.
• The machines can be equipped with modules such as knife tools, cameras and material feeders for maximum flexibility.

Why choose Trotec?

Choosing the right laser supplier is crucial for quality, efficiency and safety in your production. With over 25 years of experience, global presence and Austrian engineering, Trotec one of the world's leading manufacturers of laser machines for engraving, cutting and marking.

Trotec offers not only machines, but complete solutions:

• Laser machines for different needs and materials
• Atmos extraction system for cleaner operation and longer service life
• Ruby® software that simplifies the workflow from idea to finished product

The machines are built to last – with patented InPack™ technology which protects the optics and mechanics, as well as the robust The CeramiCore® laser source which provides stable performance and long service life.

Read more: Why choose Trotec as your laser supplier?

In Sweden and the Nordic countries, sales and support are carried out through us at Logimark, which combines Trotec's world-leading technology with local expertise. We offer installation, training, material knowledge and service – and are with you all the way from the initial needs analysis to long-term operation.

Contact us We will help you find the right laser cutter based on your needs.