Laser Cutting Machines

Laser cutting machinery uses a focused, high-energy laser beam to melt and/or vaporise metal at a precise focal point while assist gas clears the kerf. Modern fibre laser cutting machines are the most widely used type of industrial laser cutting equipment because they deliver high cutting speeds, excellent edge quality and lower operating costs compared to plasma or CO₂ systems. These machines are used for cutting sheet, plate, tube and structural sections across a wide range of fabrication industries.

Common materials include:

• Carbon steel
• Stainless steel
• Aluminium
• Brass
• Copper
• Weathering (Corten) steel
• Other conductive alloys

Achievable thickness depends on laser power, assist gas selection, cutting head configuration and required cut quality.

HSG flat-bed laser cutting machines include:

• MODEL X (single table)
• MODEL GV (hydraulic exchange table)
• MODEL GX (exchange table)
• MODEL GH (high acceleration exchange table)
• MODEL GXE (sheet and tube cutting combination system)

Table sizes range from approximately 1200 × 1200 mm up to 12,500 × 2,540 mm depending on the model.

Laser cutting machinery is available from approximately 1.5 kW up to 60 kW depending on the application. Typical acceleration ranges from 1.5G to 6G depending on model specification. Higher power systems are suited to thicker plate and high-production environments, while lower kW systems are ideal for thin sheet and precision fabrication.

When installing industrial laser cutting machinery, consider:

• Total electrical capacity (machine, laser source, extraction)
• Floor space for the machine and exchange tables
• Gas supply requirements (nitrogen, oxygen, compressed air)
• Dust extraction and filtration layout
• External ducting requirements
• Warranty and long-term technical support

JPS Machinery provides pre-installation guidance, delivery, positioning, commissioning and operator training.

Yes. JPS Machinery Ltd provides full UK installation, commissioning, operator training and ongoing servicing and technical support for all laser cutting machinery supplied. New machines include a two-year warranty as standard, supported by our UK-based engineering team.

LASER is an acronym for: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser generates a coherent beam of high-intensity monochromatic light made up of photons (light particles). The laser beam itself is not matter and therefore has no mass or temperature. In fibre laser cutting machines:

• The gain medium is an optical fibre doped with a rare-earth element such as ytterbium.
• The energy source is typically diode modules that convert electrical energy into light.
• A collimating lens focuses and directs the beam to produce a high-energy focal spot capable of cutting metal.

The fibre laser beam is monochromatic, collimated and coherent.

When selecting laser cutting machinery, consider:

1. Total power requirement (kVA) including axis drives, lighting, cameras and extraction systems.
2. Floor space for machine enclosure, exchange tables, laser unit and ancillary equipment.
3. Preferred laser source manufacturer (e.g., IPG, MAX Photonics, Raycus, nLight).
4. Preferred cutting head manufacturer (e.g., Precitec, Swiss Taylor, LT Ultra).
5. Dust extraction requirements and filtration levels (HEPA options if required).
6. Explosion risk management when cutting mixed materials such as carbon steel and aluminium.
7. Warranty coverage and availability of UK-based service engineers.

Single-mode fibre produces a smaller, higher energy-density spot, making it ideal for cutting thin sheet with high precision and minimal heat-affected zone. Multi-mode fibre combines energy from multiple modules and is typically used in higher power systems for cutting thicker materials. Single-mode is generally preferred for precision sheet work, while multi-mode is suited to heavy plate cutting applications.

Maintaining a slight positive pressure within the cutting head using clean, dry gas (typically nitrogen at approximately 0.15–0.3 bar) prevents dust contamination as the head cools after operation. This reduces lens contamination, maintenance downtime and component wear.

Laser cutting machines use enclosures and view panels rated according to Optical Density (OD) standards such as DIN EN 207 and DIN EN 208. Higher OD ratings provide greater attenuation of laser energy. For high-power fibre laser systems, OD 5 or higher is typically recommended.

Continuous Wave fibre laser means that the coherent beam remains continuously active during cutting rather than pulsing on and off. CW operation is ideal for high-speed metal cutting applications.

Use the formula: Weight = Length × Width × Thickness × Density Common densities:

• Steel: approximately 7850 kg/m³
• Aluminium: approximately 2700 kg/m³
• Copper: approximately 8960 kg/m³

Ensure your units are consistent (metres for kg output, inches for pounds).

For more detailed engineering and technical information, please visit our Technical Information page or contact our team for specification advice tailored to your application.