Before you send a part, you need one answer: can this shop cut my material at my thickness? This is our full capability chart for our 6kW fiber laser — every material we cut, the thickness range, the assist gas we use, and what each is good for. If your part falls inside these limits, upload the DXF and we’ll quote it.
Full capability matrix
| Material | Common grades | Thickness range | Assist gas | Notes & typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel | CT3, SS400, S235, S355 | 0.5 – 25mm | O₂ (thick), N₂ / air (thin) | Brackets, frames, structural, base plates. Oxide edge on O₂ — grind before painting. |
| Stainless steel | 304, 316, 201 | 0.5 – 12mm | N₂ | Clean, oxide-free edge. Food, marine, architectural, hygienic. |
| Aluminum | 5052, 6061, 1050 | 0.5 – 10mm | N₂ | Lightweight enclosures, panels, heatsinks. Reflective — N₂ cut. |
| Copper | C11000 (ETP) | 0.5 – 6mm | N₂ | Busbars, electrical contacts. High reflectivity — fiber only. |
| Brass | C26000 | 0.5 – 6mm | N₂ | Fittings, decorative, electrical hardware. |
| Galvanized / electro-zinc | DX51D+Z | 0.5 – 6mm | O₂ / N₂ | Ducting, enclosures. Zinc coating preserved on thin gauge. |
Fiber lasers excel on reflective metals (copper, brass, aluminum) that older CO₂ lasers struggle with — see fiber vs CO₂.
Choosing the right thickness
- Sheet (≤ 3mm): enclosures, covers, panels, brackets. Fast, clean, holds tight tolerance.
- Plate (5 – 12mm): structural brackets, mounting plates, machine guards.
- Heavy plate (16 – 25mm, steel): base plates, lifting lugs, structural connections. Cut with O₂; wider kerf and tolerance — see the tolerance & kerf chart.
A part doesn’t have to be one thickness — we routinely combine laser-cut sheet, formed parts, and a heavier base plate into one welded assembly.
Material selection — quick pointers
- Stainless 304 vs 316? 316 adds molybdenum for marine and chemical environments. Full breakdown: 304 vs 316.
- Stainless vs galvanized? Cost vs corrosion trade-off: stainless vs galvanized.
- Aluminum grade? 5052 for forming/enclosures, 6061 for strength and machining.
Tolerance, kerf & finish
Capability is more than “can it cut” — what you actually receive depends on tolerance, kerf and finish:
File format & getting a quote
Send a 2D DXF with material grade and thickness stated explicitly — material plus thickness is the single most important input on any fabrication quote. Separate layers for CUT / BEND / MARK speed things up.
FAQ
What’s the thickest steel you can laser cut? 25mm mild steel with oxygen assist. Above that we move to waterjet for a square, heat-free edge.
Can you laser cut copper and brass? Yes — our fiber laser handles copper and brass up to ~6mm, which CO₂ lasers cannot do safely due to reflectivity.
What’s the thickest stainless you can cut cleanly? 12mm with nitrogen for an oxide-free edge. Above ~12mm edge quality drops — ask us first.
Send us your part
If your material and thickness are in the chart above, we can quote it today. Request a quote or see pricing.
