Industrial laser cutters are large, production-grade machines that you can use for cutting and engraving various materials, including metals, wood, plastic, glass, etc.
These machines are ideal for business applications that require large-scale manufacturing with high precision and accuracy.
This article lists the best laser machines for industrial laser machining applications in 2023.
In the end, I’ve also listed the things to look for when buying an industrial laser cutter.
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Best Industrial Laser Cutters
| Laser Machine | Laser Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trotec SP Series | CO2 | Check price |
| 2 | Boss Laser LS Series | CO2 | Check price |
| 3 | FSL MC Series | CO2 or Fiber | Check price |
| 4 | TRIUMPH TR-F6060 | Fiber | Check price |
| 5 | Kern OptiFlex | CO2 | Check price |
| 6 | Epilog Legend 36EXT | CO2 | Check price |
Best industrial laser cutters
Laser cutters are powerful tools that can be used for making precision cuts in a variety of materials.
A good quality industrial laser cutter provides the ability to make quick cuts with high precision, thereby enhancing the productivity of the process.
However, different materials require different lasers to perform clean cuts. Therefore it is important to understand your requirement before buying a laser cutter.
1. Trotec SP Series-Best Industrial Laser Cutter
Trotec SP series of laser machines are industrial-grade CO2 laser cutters with large work areas.
They are best suited for industrial applications like architectural modeling, shopfitting, textile cutting, sign making, and furniture processing.
SP series from Trotec consists of four models of laser cutters: SP500, SP1500, SP2000, and SP3000. Where SP500 has the smallest work area and SP3000 has the largest.
The following table compares these machines.
| SP3000 | SP2000 | SP1500 | SP500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser power | 60 – 400W | 60 – 400W | 100 – 400W | 60 – 200W |
| Footprint | 121″ x 154″ | 99″ x 127″ | 111″ x 80″ | 76″ x 49″ |
| Working area | 87″ x 126″ | 66″ x 99″ | 59″ x 49″ | 49″ x 28″ |
| Maximum workpiece thickness | 2″ | 2″ | 2″ | 4″ |
| Machine height | 45″ | 48″ | 51″ | 45″ |
| Maximum processing speed | 2,340 ipm | 2,340 ipm | 3,900 ipm | 6,000 ipm |
A quick comparison of different laser cutter machines under the Trotec SP series
SP series of laser machines are available, with laser output power ranging from 60W to 400W.
Depending on the workpiece thickness, the machine automatically focuses the laser beam on the workpiece surface by using ultrasonic sensors integrated into the laser module.
These machines can work on materials like wood (engrave/cut), plastic, fabric, leather, glass (etch/engrave/cut), metals, paper, acrylic, etc.
With the machine, Trotec provides their control software, “JobControl,” to operate them.
JobControl is CAM/control software, and you can send design files directly from software like CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, and other similar CAD software.
They also have released their new control software, “Trotec Ruby,” which will be soon available to all their machines.
Trotec offers good after-sales support to its customers. They are headquartered in Austria and has regional offices across the world.
You can also get these machines customized as per your work requirement. Trotec is known to provide laser machines personalized to the customer’s needs.
If you are looking for the best industrial laser engraver, Trotec also has their Speedy series that houses a Galvo fiber laser system.
2. Boss Laser LS Series
LS series of laser machines from Boss Laser has four different CO2 laser machines. All of them are suited for industrial cutting, engraving, and marking applications.
LS-2440 and LS-3655 models are best suited for large industries, whereas LS-1416 and LS-1630 are good options for small businesses.
They provide laser power options ranging from 50W to 155W, and their LS-3655 model provides the largest work area of 36″ x 55″.
The following table compares these machines in detail.
| LS-1416 | LS-1630 | LS-2440 | LS-3655 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser power | 50W | 70W – 105W | 80W – 155W | 80W – 155W |
| Footprint | 61.5″ x 36.6″ | 65.5″ x 37.5″ | 82″ X 46″ | 81.5″ X 58.2″ |
| Working area | 14″ x 16″ | 16″ x 30″ | 24″ x 40″ | 36″ x 55″ |
| Maximum workpiece thickness | 7.5″ | 7.5″ | 7.5″ | 7.5″ |
| Machine height | 45.3″ | 44.5″ | 44.5″ | 44.5″ |
| Weight | 415 lbs | 630 lbs | 630 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
A comparison of different laser cutter machines under the Trotec SP series
Boss Laser allows you to build your machine by using any of the above-given models.
You can customize the machine based on laser type, cutting area, accessories, assembly, and warranty.
The machine, by default, comes with accessories like an air pump, water circulation pump, exhaust fan, and vents.
LS series machines have a 4-way pass-through setup. This allows you to work on materials larger than their work area by sliding them through the slits provided on all four sides.
All the machines in the LS series are capable of working on materials like wood, acrylic, leather, rubber, plastic, paper, fabric, MDF, foam, fiberglass, paper, and metals (engrave only) like aluminum, steel, titanium, and copper.
You can get these machines with NEMA steppers or hybrid servo drives. Servo drives are faster and can give the machine a transmission speed of around 1500 mm/sec.
The machines come with optional LightBurn Software to include in your bundle, allowing you to work with computers running on Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems (OS).
Boss Laser provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty for all the laser machines under LS series.
For support inquiries, you can contact them via phone, email, or by message us form on their website.
3. FSL MC Series
Master Class (MC) Series of laser machines from Full Spectrum Laser (FSL) is available in different configurations.
Under these, the flatbed and dual-head versions are best suited for industrial applications.
Flatbed versions are available with a CO2 or fiber laser, while the dual-head version is only available with a CO2 laser module.
| MC-Series 4’x’8′ Flatbed | Dual Head CO2 Laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Laser type | CO2 or Fiber | CO2 |
| Laser power | 150W (CO2) or 200W – 2kW (fiber) | 150W |
| Footprint | 131″ x 83″ (CO2) or 173″ x 90″ (fiber) | – |
| Working area | 48″ x 96″(CO2) or 47″ x 95″ (fiber) | 51” x 34” |
| Maximum cut thickness | 1.5″ | 0.5″ |
| Machine height | 60″ (CO2) or 55″ (fiber) | – |
| Weight | 1984lbs (CO2) or 6024 lbs (fiber) | – |
A comparison of different laser cutter machines under the Trotec SP series
The Dual Head laser machine has two CO2 laser heads, each connected to separate laser tubes.
It has a working area of 51″ x 34,” and with its 150W laser output power, it can effortlessly cut 1/2″ thick workpieces like wood, acrylic, etc.
The dual laser heads and their high-powered laser helps double your production and reduces the processing time.
They also have built-in pass-through doors, allowing you to cut and engrave large workpieces.
You can get the dual-head model with or without a motorized Z-table. The motorized table provides the ability to automatically adjust the laser focus, while a fixed Z-table requires manual laser focus.
Another popular industrial laser from FSL is their Flat Bed laser. It is a large format laser cutter having a work area of 4’x8′ and is best suited for working with sheet materials.
Using its 150W CO2 model, you can work on materials like wood, glass, plastic, acrylic, leather, steel, etc.
If your primary application involves laser cutting sheet metals, then go for the Flat Bed version with a fiber laser. You can get it with power options ranging from 200W to 2kW.
Flat Bed laser machines from FSL have a built-in cooling system and are driven by ball screw drives, while the dual-head version consists of a belt drive system.
FSL provides the MC series of laser machines with a standard 1-year warranty. For support, you can contact them through email, phone, or the contact form on their contact us page.
4. TRIUMPH TR-F6060
TRIUMPH is a leading Chinese laser manufacturer headquartered in Shenzhen. Their TR-F6060 fiber laser machines are an industrial standard in metal cutting applications.
It is primarily employed in cutting metals like aluminum, titanium, copper, gold, silver, and different types of steel.
They are available with a laser power option ranging from 500W to 1500W. You also have the flexibility of choosing these machines with laser sources from MAX, Raycus, etc.
TR-F6060 is equipped with a Swiss-made Raytools laser cutting head. If you want to use the auto-focus feature, you can opt for their OSPRI laser head series.
With the autofocus feature, the machine can automatically adjust the laser head height. This helps the laser maintain a uniform focal length across workpieces with an uneven surface.
The TR-F6060 laser machine has a work area measuring 23.62″ x 23.62″ (600 X 600 mm).
It uses a dual-drive pinion and rack transmission mechanism, which can have a cutting speed of up to 40m/min and a positioning accuracy of 0.02mm.
The machine is equipped with an intelligent laser control system with its own dedicated software.
For more details on the machine, you can contact TRIUMPH lasers. You can reach out to them via phone, email, or social media.
5. Kern OptiFlex
Kern Laser Systems is a US-based laser manufacturer. They have a wide range of laser machines in their arsenal, including CO2, fiber, and solid-state lasers.
OptiFlex is their large format industrial-grade CO2 laser machine. It uses a class 4 laser with powers ranging between 100W to 650W.
Kern offers the OptiFlex laser machine with different work area configurations. It is available in work areas ranging from 52″ x 50″ to 86″ x 144″ (1320 x 1270 mm – 2184 x 3657 mm).
OptiFlex laser machine has many optional packages. Each package has different accessories like an air assist, honeycomb workbed, camera, rotary attachment, gantry bumpers, fume extractor, etc.
In terms of safety, OptiFlex has an E-stop switch, and metal guard, and uses a UL-certified electrical panel that houses all of its electrical components, including the controller, power supply unit, etc.
With the machine, Kern also provides two laser safety glasses from Laservision. It helps shield your eyes from accidental laser beam exposure.
OptiFlex is compatible with Kern’s software package, KCAM. It is a CAM/control software that can be linked to multiple CAD programs like AutoCAD, CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
Kern allows you to request a demo of their laser machine to see its capabilities and features. You can either opt for an in-person or virtual demo.
For more information on the OptiFlex laser machine, you can contact Kern through email, phone, or the contact form on their website.
6. Epilog Legend 36EXT
Legend 36EXT from Epilog is a CO2 laser machine. It is available with laser output powers of 30W, 40W, 50W, 60W, 75W, and 120W.
Remember, the higher the output power, the faster you can work. The 60W, 75W, or 120W versions of Legend 36EXT will be a good option for industrial applications.
It uses a red dot pointer on the laser module to help detect the spot location as the infrared laser beam produced by the CO2 laser can’t be seen.
The machine’s maximum work area measures 36″ x 24″ (914 x 610 mm), and it can house materials with a maximum thickness of around 14″ (355 mm).
Legend 36EXT has an overall footprint of 50.5″ x 33″ x 42,” and it weighs around 440 lbs.
It comes with an air-assist nozzle, but you’ll need to connect it to a compressor for it to work. The machine has two 6″ (diameter) output ports for connecting the exhaust.
On the front side of the machine, there are control buttons that allow you to adjust the laser settings and run locally saved files.
Legend 36EXT machine provides 64MB of storage to locally store files on it. This allows you to run the jobs without connecting to a computer.
Epilog offers a 2-year warranty for the Legend 36EXT laser machine. For queries, you can contact them through phone, email, or visit their office in Colorado, USA.
What to Look for in an Industrial Laser Cutter
The best way to find the right laser cutter for your needs is to identify what you plan to use it for.
For example, if you are looking for a laser cutter that can cut through 3/4″ ply, you would want to find a CO2 laser with a power of at least 60W.
Industrial laser cutters come in many different sizes and work area configurations. Typically, they have either a rectangular or square-shaped work area.
The most important thing to consider when choosing which industrial laser cutter is the type of laser, its power, the size of the machine, and the support you get from the manufacturer.
Size
The machine size (footprint and work area) is a crucial factor to look at. It determines the amount of space it occupies in your factory and the maximum size of materials that it can cut.
Laser Type
There are various lasers, and laser cutting can be successful with any of them, but the kind of material you are using is what will determine the best laser type for your project.
Generally, three types of lasers are used in laser cutters: CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, and diode lasers.
Diode lasers are the most common type because they are inexpensive, easy to use, and generally found in low-powered laser engravers, ideal for DIY applications.
For most industrial applications, fiber and CO2 lasers are used. They work best with a wide range of materials.
Fiber laser is best suited for working with metals, and CO2 effectively works on materials like wood, glass, acrylic, leather, etc.
Output Power
A laser cutter cuts materials using a high-energy laser beam.
This high-energy beam is focused in a tight spot on the workpiece, resulting in heating and vaporizing the material, producing the desired cut.
So the power of the laser is an important deciding factor in what materials and how thick of a material can be cut by the machine.
The general rule is that with a high-power laser, you can cut materials faster than with a low-powered laser.
Software
Software compatibility and machine control have an important part to play in a laser cutter’s operation.
Most industrial laser machine manufacturers provide their own software to control the machines.
Check whether it has all the features you might need. If not, confirm if it’s compatible with other capable software.
Safety
Laser safety is important and should be considered when looking for a laser cutter.
Since most industrial laser machines have an open setup, they should have an effective exhaust system, air assist, and fire alarm.
These machines are prone to electrical, chemical (from fumes, compressed gas, dyes), and fire hazards. For a safe operation, you should be well-versed in laser safety protocols.
Industrial lasers use high-powered laser systems. So make sure anyone within the vicinity of the machine is wearing a laser safety goggles during the operation.
Service
Different manufacturers offer different aftersale services to their customers. A good service will have technical assistance, a prolonged warranty, on-time support, and parts replacements.
If the manufacturer has a permanent office in your county, communication will be much more accessible, and the support you get will be more personalized.
Final Thoughts
Industrial-grade laser cutters are versatile tools used in many industries.
You can use them to cut, engrave, and mark different materials like metal, wood, plastic, leather, paper, etc.
Buying the right industrial laser cutter is about balancing your budget and production requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What type of laser is used in the manufacturing industry?
Today’s manufacturing industry uses many different types of laser machines. The most commonly used lasers are CO2 lasers because of the variety of materials they can process. Other common lasers include Nd: YAG, fiber, and high-power diode lasers.
What are the best laser brands?
Some of the best laser brands include OMTech, Glowforge, Flux, Full Spectrum Laser (FSL), Comgrow, xTool, Trumpf, Trotec, Coherent, Boss Laser, etc.
What are the common industrial applications of lasers?
Some of the common industrial applications of laser machines include laser marking, engraving, cutting, welding, wire striping, micromachining, etc. Laser machines are used in industries such as automobiles, metal cutting, electronics, packaging, printing, and medical applications.