A CNC router, a CO₂ laser cutter and a fiber laser cutter cut material in completely different ways, and each is strongest on its own materials and jobs. Picking the wrong one wastes money and floor space. The biggest factor is the main material you plan to cut.
Which machine handles which material
| Material | CNC router | CO₂ laser | Fiber laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Excellent | Excellent, with polished edges | Not suitable |
| Wood and MDF | Excellent | Excellent | Not suitable |
| PVC | Excellent | Never cut PVC with a laser | Not suitable |
| Aluminum composite panel | Excellent | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Polycarbonate | Excellent | Poor | Not suitable |
| Aluminum sheet | Routing, with limits | Not suitable | Excellent |
| Stainless and carbon steel | Not suitable | Not suitable | Excellent |
| Brass and copper | Machining only | Not suitable | Excellent |
| 3D carving | Excellent | Limited | Not suitable |
| Engraving | Yes | Yes | Yes, on metal |
The CNC router
A router cuts with a spinning tool. It handles acrylic, PVC, aluminum composite panel, polycarbonate, HDPE, wood and soft aluminum, and it can pocket and carve in three dimensions.
Strengths: very versatile, can carve 3D shapes, lower operating cost.
Limitations: it needs cutting tools that wear, it is slower on sheet metal and limited in thickness, and it makes chips and dust that need cleanup and extraction.
The CO₂ laser cutter
A CO₂ laser is made for acrylic and other nonmetals. It leaves polished acrylic edges and is very good at engraving wood and fine decorative work. Never cut PVC with a laser: it gives off corrosive and toxic fumes.
Strengths: flame-polished acrylic edges, detailed engraving, no cutting tools to buy, quick cutting of thin nonmetals.
Limitations: it does not cut metal, and it is not suited to aluminum composite panel, PVC or polycarbonate.
The Ascent CO₂ laser cutter has a 4 ft x 8 ft work area and a laser power of 80 to 280W, and the 130W CO₂ laser cutter and engraver has a 1300 x 900 mm work area.
The fiber laser cutter
A fiber laser is made for metal. It cuts carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and galvanized steel.
Strengths: fast metal cutting, very good edge quality, little finishing and high productivity on sheet metal.
Limitations: a higher purchase price, and it cuts metal only.
The Ascent fiber laser cutter comes with a 3000W or 4000W source and a 5 ft x 10 ft work area.
Both lasers on one machine
Shops that cut both nonmetals and metal can put both lasers on one machine. The Ascent dual gantry CO₂ and fiber laser cutter comes in 5 ft x 10 ft and 6 ft x 12 ft sizes:
- The CO₂ gantry has a 500W laser that cuts acrylic up to 1 in. thick.
- The fiber gantry has a 3000W or 6000W laser for metal.
- The two gantries can cut metal and nonmetal at the same time.
It suits shops that cut acrylic and metal every day and want to save the floor space of a second machine. The combination cutter is a smaller option, with a 150W CO₂ laser and a 2000W fiber laser on a 4 ft x 8 ft bed.
How to decide
Let the material decide:
- Mostly composite panel, PVC, HDPE and 3D carving: a router is the right tool.
- Mostly acrylic, wood and leather, with fine engraving: a CO₂ laser.
- Mostly sheet metal: a fiber laser.
- Acrylic and metal every day: a machine with both lasers.
Many shops end up with a router and a laser side by side, because each does its own jobs best.
All laser cutters are Class 4 lasers, so plan for enclosure, fume extraction and laser eyewear. See our laser safety page. Installation and operator training at your facility are included in the price of every Ascent cutter. Contact us to talk about your materials.
