--- description: What should you consider before buying, operating, or building a laser cutting machine? Let's start to learn the working principle in this article. title: How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work? image: https://www.stylecnc.com/uploads/allimg/180926/1-1P9261522040-L.jpg --- # [How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work?](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/how-does-laser-cutting-machine-work.html "How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work?") Last Updated: 2022-05-30 By [Charles](https://www.stylecnc.com/author/charles "Charles")3 Min Read ![How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work]() ## How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work? What should you consider before buying, operating, or building a laser cutting machine? Let's start to learn the working principle in this article. ![How does a laser cutting machine work?]() A laser is a highly concentrated beam of light at a single wavelength. At each wavelength of light, various materials absorb, reflect, and transmit that light in varying amount. The laser beam is a column of very high intensity light, of a single wavelength, or color. In the case of a typical CO2 laser, that wavelength is in the Infra-Red part of the light spectrum, so it is invisible to the human eye. The beam is only about 3/4 of an inch in diameter as it travels from the laser resonator, which creates the beam, through the laser cutter's beam path. It may be bounced in different directions by a number of mirrors, or "beam benders", before it is finally focused onto the plate. The focused laser beam goes through the bore of a nozzle right before it hits the plate. Also flowing through that nozzle bore is a compressed gas, such as Oxygen or Nitrogen. The high power density results in rapid heating, melting and partial or complete vaporizing of the material. When cutting mild steel, the heat of the laser beam is enough to start a typical "oxy-fuel" burning process, and the laser cutting gas will be pure oxygen, just like an oxy-fuel torch. When cutting stainless steel or aluminum, the laser beam simply melts the material, and high pressure nitrogen is used to blow the molten metal out of the kerf. On a [laser cutting machine](https://www.stylecnc.com/products/laser-cutting-machine.html "laser cutting machine"), the laser cutting head is moved over the metal plate in the shape of the desired part, thus cutting the part out of the plate. A capacitive height control system maintains a very accurate distance between the end of the nozzle and the plate that is being cut. This distance is important, because it determines where the focal point is relative to the surface of the plate. The cut quality can be affected by raising or lowering the focal point from just above the surface of the plate, at the surface, or just below the surface. A laser cutting machine works by focussing a beam of laser light onto a piece of material. The laser light is so high powered, that when focused, it raises the temperature of the material to be cut high enough to melt or vaporize the material, in the small area the beam is focused. Often, an assist gas is used to help push the molten material from the cut area. This is especially true for cutting metals or thick sheets of material like plywood. To cut shapes, the laser head is moved, using some form of gantry to position the beam over new material, causing a line to be cut instead of a small pinhole. The types of motion systems include rack and pinions, ball screws, and linear motors. Linear motors are most expensive, but are fastest and most accurate. Rack and pinions provide nearly the same speed and accuracy, but for a lower price. Some small hobbyist lasers might also use timing belt and stepper motors to move their laser head. In all cases, a system with serves, and encoder feedback adds greatly to the accuracy of [laser cutting system](https://www.stylecnc.com/products/laser-cutting-machine.html "laser cutting system"), as does a rigid frame, isolated from vibration. For a laser cutting operation, it's important to choose a wavelength that is highly absorbing in the material you intend to cut. As the laser energy is directed at the material surface, the material absorbs so much energy that it rapidly heats past its melting temperature and up to its degradation temperature. At the degradation temperature, the material breaks down and disintegrates. Often, smoke or fumes are released when this happens. The edge of the cut may be heated to a lower level and actually melt and reform. This can actually be used as a sort of sealing mechanism that is useful for fibrous materials, for example, to prevent threading. When laser cutter working, it can be a good idea to angle the laser such that smoke from the cutting process does not collect as soot on the laser optics. Additionally, when cutting (or welding) highly reflective surfaces it's important to prevent the laser beam from reflecting off of the surface and back into the laser optics, which can damage them. ### Share This Article With Others ### Further Reading #### How To Maintain CNC Router for Longer Service Time? 2018-07-28[Prev Post](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/how-to-maintain-cnc-router-longer-service-time.html "How To Maintain CNC Router for Longer Service Time?") ### A Brief Guide to CNC Router Glossary 2018-10-12[Next Post](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/cnc-router-glossary-guide.html "A Brief Guide to CNC Router Glossary") ### Related Guidance [](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/laser-cutting-101.html "Laser Cutting 101: Everything You Need to Know") 2026-04-014 Min Read #### [Laser Cutting 101: Everything You Need to Know](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/laser-cutting-101.html "Laser Cutting 101: Everything You Need to Know") Laser cutting is an advanced technology and process with a learning curve but is fun to play with, however, newbies need to learn the basics to step into laser. This article is a beginner's guide, taking you through everything about laser cutting, what it is, the advantages and benefits, FAQs and how to buy your own laser cutter. [](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/laser-cutting-system-types.html "Most Popular Laser Cutting Systems You Can Pick In 2026") 2026-03-074 Min Read #### [Most Popular Laser Cutting Systems You Can Pick In 2026](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/laser-cutting-system-types.html "Most Popular Laser Cutting Systems You Can Pick In 2026") You will meet a variety of laser cutters on the market, how to identify & choose? You can find out from the most popular types of laser cutting systems of 2026. [](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/glasschneider-cnc-laser-cutter-glass.html "Glasschneider vs. CNC vs. Laser Cutter for Smartphone Glass") 2023-11-214 Min Read #### [Glasschneider vs. CNC vs. Laser Cutter for Smartphone Glass](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/glasschneider-cnc-laser-cutter-glass.html "Glasschneider vs. CNC vs. Laser Cutter for Smartphone Glass") Glasschneider, CNC machine, laser cutter, which is better for mobile phone makers to cut smartphone glass (as well as tablet and laptop glass) such as Gorilla glass, Sapphire, Dragontrail glass to make personalized mobile cell phone screens, displays, front covers, rear panels, camera cover, filter, fingerprint identification sheet, prism? [](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-solutions/laser-cut-jewelry-business-etsy-startup-to-wholesale-guide.html "Laser-Cut Jewelry Business: Etsy Startup to Wholesale Guide") 2026-06-056 Min Read #### [Laser-Cut Jewelry Business: Etsy Startup to Wholesale Guide](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-solutions/laser-cut-jewelry-business-etsy-startup-to-wholesale-guide.html "Laser-Cut Jewelry Business: Etsy Startup to Wholesale Guide") A laser-cut jewelry business uses CO2 or fiber laser machines to cut, engrave, and personalize earrings, pendants, bracelets, and rings from materials like acrylic, wood, stainless steel, and leather. With material costs under $2 per pair of earrings and retail prices of $12–$28, profit margins of 70–85% are typical. Most sellers start on Etsy with an investment of $2,500–$8,000 and scale to $2,000–$10,000 per month in revenue within the first year. [](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-solutions/co2-laser-engraving-cutting-machine.html "A Guide to Buy Your First CO2 Laser Machine") 2022-05-307 Min Read #### [A Guide to Buy Your First CO2 Laser Machine](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-solutions/co2-laser-engraving-cutting-machine.html "A Guide to Buy Your First CO2 Laser Machine") Before you buy CO2 laser machine for engraving & cutting, you should know what is it? how does it work? how much does it cost? how to buy it within your budget. [](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/laser-cutter-safety-guide.html "A Brief Guide to Laser Cutter Safety from STYLECNC") 2019-06-213 Min Read #### [A Brief Guide to Laser Cutter Safety from STYLECNC](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/laser-cutter-safety-guide.html "A Brief Guide to Laser Cutter Safety from STYLECNC") In the use of laser cutters, you will encounter variety safety problems, STYLECNC will tell you a help guide to the safety to protect yourself from the risk. ### Post A Review 1 to 5-star rating5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star #### Share Your Thoughts And Feelings With Others Review Title Your Name Your Email Your Review Guest Post Captcha ![Click To Change Captcha]() Submit Your Review ### Hotspot Guides ![How Fast And Thick Can Fiber Lasers Cut Through Metal?]() #### [How Fast And Thick Can Fiber Lasers Cut Through Metal?](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/fiber-laser-cutting-metal-thickness-speed-power.html "How Fast And Thick Can Fiber Lasers Cut Through Metal?") 2025-02-05 ![How to Generate G-Code File with ArtCAM for CNC Machine?]() #### [How to Generate G-Code File with ArtCAM for CNC Machine?](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/how-to-generate-g-code-file-artcam-cnc-machine.html "How to Generate G-Code File with ArtCAM for CNC Machine?") 2026-03-27 ![How to Install and Use NcStudio for CNC Router Machine?]() #### [How to Install and Use NcStudio for CNC Router Machine?](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/Weihong-Ncstudio-engraver-user-s-operation-manual.html "How to Install and Use NcStudio for CNC Router Machine?") 2024-01-17 ![3 Axis vs 4 Axis vs 5 Axis CNC Router Machine]() #### [3 Axis vs 4 Axis vs 5 Axis CNC Router Machine](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/3-4-5-axis-cnc-router.html "3 Axis vs 4 Axis vs 5 Axis CNC Router Machine") 2024-01-02 ![A Guide to CNC Programming for Beginners & Programmers]() #### [A Guide to CNC Programming for Beginners & Programmers](https://www.stylecnc.com/blog/cnc-programming.html "A Guide to CNC Programming for Beginners & Programmers") 2023-08-31 ![How To Laser Engrave Metal with A Diode Laser?]() #### [How To Laser Engrave Metal with A Diode Laser?](https://www.stylecnc.com/user-manual/how-to-engrave-metal-with-diode-laser.html "How To Laser Engrave Metal with A Diode Laser?") 2026-03-27 ### CNC Machine Catalog * [CNC Routers](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-router/ "CNC Router") * [CNC Plasma Cutters](https://www.stylecnc.com/plasma-cutter/ "CNC Plasma Cutter") * [CNC Milling Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-milling-machine/ "CNC Milling Machine") * [CNC Machining Centers](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-working-center/ "CNC Machining Center") * [Edge Banding Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/edge-banding-machine/ "Edge Banding Machine") * [CNC Bending Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-bending-machine/ "CNC Bending Machine") * [Laser Cutting Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/products/laser-cutting-machine.html "Laser Cutting Machine") * [Laser Marking Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/laser-marking-machine/ "Laser Marking Machine") * [Laser Welding Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/laser-welding-machine/ "Laser Welding Machine") * [Laser Cleaning Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/laser-cleaning-machine/ "Laser Cleaning Machine") * [Laser Engraving Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/laser-engraving-machine/ "Laser Engraving Machine") * [CNC Digital Knife Cutters](https://www.stylecnc.com/cnc-knife-cutting-machine/ "CNC Digital Knife Cutting Machine") * [CNC Wood Lathe Machines](https://www.stylecnc.com/wood-lathe/ "CNC Wood Turning Lathe Machine") * [CNC Parts, Tools, Accessories](https://www.stylecnc.com/spare-parts/ "CNC Spare Parts, Tools, Accessories") ### Get Easy Solution Your MachineYour MachineCNC MillCNC LatheCNC RouterLaser CutterLaser WelderLaser CleanerLaser EngraverEdge BanderPanel BenderDigital CutterPlasma CutterWaterjet CutterCNC Machining CenterMultiple ToolsNot Listed Above Your MaterialYour MaterialMetalWoodFoamGlassPaperStoneFabricPlasticAcrylicCrystalRubberLeatherCompositesMultiple Materials Your BudgetYour BudgetNo BudgetUnder $3,000$3,000 - $6,000$6,000 - $8,000$8,000 - $10,000$10,000 - $12,000$12,000 - $15,000$15,000 - $20,000$20,000 - $30,000$30,000 - $50,000$50,000 - $80,000$80,000 - $100,000Over $100,000 Your Email Your Requirements Submission Successful, Redirecting In 5 Seconds... ### STYLECNC