CO2 Laser

CO2 lasers were the original industrial laser technology and remain widely used for cutting and engraving. They operate at a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers and are particularly effective on non-metallic materials like wood, acrylic, leather, and rubber. However, CO2 lasers are inefficient for cutting metals, especially non-ferrous materials like aluminum and copper, because this longer wavelength couples poorly with metallic surfaces.

For sheet metal and plate cutting, fiber lasers have largely displaced CO2 systems due to their superior efficiency, cutting speed, and ability to handle a broader range of materials. However, CO2 systems remain the choice for engraving and cutting organic and composite materials where their longer wavelength and high beam quality excel.

The combination of proven reliability and lower initial cost keeps some CO2 systems in operation, but modern job shops focused on metal fabrication are increasingly replacing aging CO2 equipment with fiber laser technology.