Which technology is right for your metal parts? A practical comparison for procurement engineers and product designers sourcing from Singapore.
It Starts With Wavelength
The fundamental difference between these two technologies is not power — it is wavelength. A fiber laser emits light at 1,064 nanometres; a CO₂ laser at 10,600 nanometres. This single factor determines which materials each technology can process efficiently, and which it cannot.
Metals absorb near-infrared light (fiber) extremely well. When a 6 kW fiber beam hits a sheet of 304 stainless steel, the energy is coupled directly into the material — it cuts fast, clean, and with minimal heat spread. CO₂’s much longer wavelength, by contrast, is absorbed poorly by polished metals, which is why early CO₂ metal-cutting systems required an oxide coating on the surface just to initiate a cut.
Cutting Speed at a Glance
The table below reflects indicative cutting speeds under standard nitrogen-assist conditions. Actual results vary by equipment power rating, assist gas pressure, and surface finish requirement.
| Material / Thickness | Fiber Laser (6 kW) | CO₂ Laser (6 kW) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS304 · 1 mm | 35 m/min | 9 m/min | Fiber ×3.9 |
| SS304 · 3 mm | 14 m/min | 4.5 m/min | Fiber ×3.1 |
| Aluminium · 2 mm | 28 m/min | 6 m/min | Fiber ×4.7 |
| Brass · 2 mm | 12 m/min | Requires coating | Fiber only |
| SS304 · 20 mm | 0.5 m/min | 0.6 m/min | CO₂ marginal |
| Acrylic · 10 mm | Not suitable | 8 m/min | CO₂ only |
† Indicative values. Contact our engineering team for material-specific assessments.
What the Cut Edge Actually Looks Like
In precision engineering, the edge condition matters as much as the cut speed. For thin-to-medium gauge metals processed with high-pressure nitrogen assist, fiber laser produces a bright, oxide-free edge that typically requires no secondary deburring. This is critical for parts destined for anodising, powder coating, or direct assembly.
CO₂ cutting on metals tends to produce a slightly rougher edge with more dross on the underside, particularly at higher speeds. This is not always a problem — structural steel for welded assemblies does not demand a mirror finish — but for semiconductor fixturing, medical device housings, or consumer electronics enclosures, it can introduce an additional post-processing step.
Both technologies achieve tolerances of ±0.1 mm in ideal conditions on a well-calibrated machine. For tighter requirements (±0.05 mm), the choice of technology matters less than downstream CNC machining or CMM-verified inspection.
Choose Based on Your Application
Your parts are primarily metal
- Stainless steel enclosures and brackets
- Aluminium heatsinks or chassis
- Copper / brass electrical contacts
- High-volume runs where speed = cost
- Parts requiring oxide-free, weld-ready edges
- Reflective materials (copper, brass, titanium)
Your materials are non-metallic
- Acrylic / PMMA display panels
- Wood or MDF prototypes
- Leather goods or fabric patterns
- Thick mild steel (>15 mm) structural work
- Mixed material jobs (wood + light metal)
- Signage and decorative applications
Our Equipment Choice — and Why
Our facility operates high-power fiber laser cutting systems as the primary platform for all metal processing. This decision was driven by the profile of customers we serve: precision engineering firms, semiconductor equipment suppliers, marine bracket manufacturers, and electronics OEMs across Singapore and the region.
Every one of these applications involves metal — stainless steel, aluminium, or specialty alloys — where fiber laser’s speed advantage and edge quality superiority directly translate into lower per-part cost and fewer post-processing steps for our customers.
For specialised non-metal cutting — including PI film, PET engineering film, and industrial glass — we deploy UV ultrafast laser systems, a separate technology category entirely (cold processing, no heat-affected zone). If your project involves engineering films for electronics applications, that is a different conversation worth having.
Frequently Asked
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can fiber laser cut copper? | Yes — fiber laser’s 1,064 nm wavelength is absorbed well by copper, unlike CO₂ which reflects off polished copper surfaces. |
| Is the edge clean enough for anodising? | For aluminium cut with nitrogen assist, yes. No oxidation layer means the part goes directly to surface treatment. |
| Which is better for prototyping? | Both work for prototyping. If the material is metal, fiber is faster and cheaper. For mixed-material concept models, CO₂ is more versatile. |
| What thickness can fiber laser handle? | Practically up to 25–30 mm for mild steel on high-power (12 kW+) systems. For structural thick plate, plasma or waterjet may be more economical. |
| Is CO₂ becoming obsolete? | For metal fabrication, largely yes. For non-metal applications, CO₂ remains the dominant technology. Both will coexist for the foreseeable future. |
Have a Metal Part to Cut?
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