How Laser Cutting Works

Laser cutting uses focused beam of light to melt, burn, or vaporize material. CO2 lasers (10.6μm wavelength) work on organic materials like wood, acrylic, and leather - absorbed by carbon bonds. Fiber lasers (1.06μm) use ytterbium-doped fiber, absorbed by metals. Both offer precision impossible with mechanical cutting: kerf (cut width) only 0.1-0.3mm, details down to 0.1mm.

CNC system moves laser head (or material table) in precise paths defined by vector graphics. Cutting penetrates fully through material; engraving removes surface layer for text, images, or textures. No physical contact means no tool wear, consistent quality from first to thousandth part. Ideal for complex shapes, intricate patterns, and rapid prototyping.

Acrylic (PMMA) Cutting

Acrylic laser cuts beautifully with polished edges, no additional finishing needed. Cast acrylic produces flame-polished edges (clear and glossy), extruded acrylic acceptable but slightly frosted. Thickness 3mm-20mm, though 3mm and 6mm most common for displays, signs, and decorative items. Available in clear, transparent colors, and opaque colors.

Applications: point-of-sale displays, lightbox inserts, awards and trophies, jewelry, architectural models, protective screens. Engraving creates frosted white effect, excellent for LED edge-lighting. Our 130W laser cuts 10mm acrylic at 15mm/s, 6mm at 40mm/s. Protective film prevents surface scratches during processing. Pricing: €0.10-0.30 per linear meter depending on thickness.

Wood Cutting & Engraving

Wood laser cutting creates charred edges (dark brown/black), adding rustic aesthetic to projects. Best materials: MDF (smooth, consistent), birch plywood (strong, minimal voids), balsa (ultra-lightweight). Avoid pressure-treated or glue-heavy plywoods - toxic fumes and poor cut quality. Maximum thickness typically 10-12mm for reliable cutting.

Applications: signs, decorative panels, jewelry, architectural models, furniture components, toys, puzzle pieces, packaging. Vector engraving creates outlines and text, raster engraving produces photos and gradients (varying power creates shades). 3D engraving varies depth for relief effects. Finishing: sand lightly, apply varnish or oil. Projects from coasters (5min) to large panels (2hr).

Leather & Fabric

Laser cutting leather produces clean sealed edges preventing fraying. Genuine leather (vegetable or chrome-tanned) and synthetic leather both work. Thickness up to 5mm. Applications: belts, wallets, bags, shoes, upholstery, fashion accessories. Engraving creates beautiful textures and patterns - darker leather shows engraved designs better.

Fabrics: cotton, felt, denim, fleece, canvas all laser-cut perfectly. Edges sealed preventing unraveling. Avoid synthetic fabrics with high plastic content (polyester, nylon) - melt rather than cut cleanly. Test samples before production runs. Fashion designers use laser for intricate lace patterns, appliques, quilting patterns. Also custom patches, embroidery templates, fabric signage.

Metal Laser Marking

Fiber laser engraves permanent marks on metals without consumables or chemicals. Stainless steel turns black (oxidation), aluminum creates contrast through anodize layer removal, brass produces golden tones. Depth 0.1-1mm depending on power and passes. Marks survive harsh environments - won't fade or wear like printing.

Industrial applications: serial numbers, part codes, QR codes for traceability, logos on tools, calibration marks on instruments. Consumer: personalized gifts, jewelry engraving, awards, promotional items. Working area 300x300mm accommodates most items. Batch processing for production efficiency. Pricing: €15 setup + €0.50-2.00 per marking depending on complexity.

Design Guidelines

Submit designs as vector files (AI, DXF, SVG, PDF) for cutting, or raster images (JPG, PNG) for engraving. Minimum feature size 1mm for reliable cutting. Avoid extremely narrow parts (less than 2mm wide) that may warp or break. Consider kerf (material removed by laser) - nominally 0.2mm, affects final dimensions slightly.

For engraving: high-contrast images work best, avoid subtle gradients that may not reproduce well. Test engraving recommended for important projects. Font size minimum 3mm for legibility. Vector text (outlines) preferred over raster. Provide files at actual size or specify scaling. Our design team available for consultation if you need help preparing files.

Pricing & Turnaround

Pricing based on machine time, material cost, and complexity. Simple cuts: €5-30 depending on size. Complex designs with lots of internal cuts: €20-100. Material supplied by us or bring your own (reduced price). Engraving charged per minute: €1-3 depending on material. Setup fee €20 for custom jobs, waived for repeat orders.

Standard turnaround 3-5 business days. Rush service (24-48hr) available for 50% surcharge. Production runs (10+ identical items) receive volume discounts 15-30%. Upload design via contact form or email laser@robotics-3d.com with material specification and quantity for quote within 24 hours. Sample cutting available before committing to large orders.

Quality & Capabilities

Our Ruida-controlled lasers offer repeatability within ±0.1mm - critical for multi-part assemblies and production runs. Air assist blows away debris during cutting, preventing charring and fire. Fume extraction ensures clean shop and operator safety. Regular maintenance and calibration ensure consistent results.

Maximum sheet size: 1300x900mm (though most projects smaller). We can gang multiple projects on single sheet for efficiency. Complex nested cutting optimizes material usage reducing waste and cost. Photo documentation provided for quality assurance. Satisfaction guaranteed - we'll recut if not perfect.

Professional Laser Cutting Services

Materials We Cut

Wood & Paper

Plastics

Fabrics & Leather

Metals (Fiber Laser)

Our Laser Capabilities

CO2 Laser (130W)

Fiber Laser (30W)

Complete Laser Services Guide