Cutting Machines
Fiber laser, plasma, waterjet, and oxy-fuel cutting — process selection, power sizing, assist gas guides, and cut quality optimisation for job shops and fabricators.
Choosing a Cutting Process
The four main thermal and abrasive cutting processes each occupy a different speed/quality/cost space. Fiber laser dominates thin-to-medium steel and stainless up to ~25 mm, with cut quality approaching wire EDM. Plasma handles heavy carbon steel to 80 mm at lower capital cost. Waterjet cuts virtually any material — glass, titanium, composites — without heat-affected zone. Oxy-fuel remains the lowest-cost option for structural carbon steel over 25 mm.
Choosing wrong costs money in two directions: over-specifying (a 15 kW laser where 6 kW would suffice) wastes capital and energy; under-specifying means your machine becomes the bottleneck and you cut slower than a plasma table would have.
Cutting Machine Guides
Fiber Laser
Fiber Laser Wattage Guide: Which Power Level Do You Need?
1.5 kW vs 3 kW vs 6 kW vs 12 kW vs 20 kW — speed and thickness data for mild steel, stainless, and aluminium at each power level.
Read guideProcess Selection
Plasma vs Fiber Laser vs Waterjet: Full Comparison
Cut quality, kerf width, operating cost, max thickness, and material range — a side-by-side comparison to settle the process decision.
Read guideLaser Cutting
Laser Assist Gas Guide: Nitrogen vs Oxygen vs Air
How each assist gas affects cut edge oxidation, surface finish, speed, and consumable cost — with a decision matrix for common materials.
Read guideProcess Comparison: Quick Reference
| Process | Typical Speed (6mm MS) | Kerf Width | HAZ | Max Thickness | Capital Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Laser (6 kW) | 6,500 mm/min | 0.2–0.4 mm | Minimal | ~25 mm (MS) | $$$ |
| Plasma (HD) | 2,500 mm/min | 1.5–3.5 mm | Moderate | 80 mm (MS) | $$ |
| Waterjet | 200–800 mm/min | 0.8–1.2 mm | None | 200+ mm | $$$ |
| Oxy-Fuel | 300–600 mm/min | 1.5–5 mm | High | 300 mm (MS) | $ |
MS = mild steel. Speeds vary with machine configuration and material grade. Capital cost: $ <$50k, $$ $50k–$200k, $$$ >$200k.
Featured Cutting Machines
Representative machines across cutting technologies. Specifications are indicative; verify with manufacturers before purchasing.
ByStar Fiber 3015
Fiber Laser — 6 kW
- Sheet format: 3,000 × 1,500 mm
- Power: 6 kW (10 kW option)
- Max steel: 25 mm MS, 15 mm SS
- Rapid: 140 m/min
TruLaser 5030
Fiber Laser — 6–15 kW
- Sheet format: 3,000 × 1,500 mm
- Power: 6, 10, or 15 kW
- BrightLine Fiber optics
- Automated nozzle change
Optiplex 3015 Fiber II
Fiber Laser — 4–9 kW
- Sheet format: 3,048 × 1,524 mm
- Power: 4, 6, or 9 kW
- Max steel: 22 mm (6 kW)
- MAZATROL SmoothCut control
Powermax 105
Plasma Cutter (Hand/Machine)
- Output: 105 A, 400/480 V
- Rated cut: 32 mm (1.25 in) steel
- Severance cut: 50 mm (2 in)
- Torch: machine-mount compatible
55100
Abrasive Waterjet
- Cutting area: 1,524 × 2,591 mm
- Pump: 30–100 HP (EnduroMAX)
- Max material: virtually unlimited
- No HAZ; cuts composites, glass
Torchmate 4400
CNC Plasma Table
- Cutting area: 1,219 × 1,219 mm
- Compatible: Hypertherm Powermax series
- Steel capacity: up to 25 mm
- Entry-level production plasma