When choosing a laser cutting machine, you should consider the materials and thicknesses you work with, the shape of the parts, the production volume, the required power, the table size, the level of automation, and the operating costs.
The best laser cutting machine isn’t necessarily the one with the most power or the most features. It’s the one that can produce the parts your company needs, with the required quality and at a competitive price.
A machine that is not properly sized may limit production or require a larger investment than necessary. Therefore, the decision-making process should begin with an analysis of the company’s actual workload, rather than simply comparing prices or power ratings.
What should you consider before buying a laser cutting machine?
Before requesting a quote, gather specific information about your production.
You should know:
- The materials you want to cut;
- The minimum, average, and maximum thicknesses;
- The sheet metal formats used;
- The dimensions of the parts;
- The number of parts produced per month;
- The time currently spent on cutting;
- Outsourcing costs;
- The need to cut sheet metal, tubing, or profiles;
- The projected growth in production.
This data helps determine the appropriate configuration and prevents the selection of a machine based solely on marketing features.
What materials do you want to cut?
The type of material affects the power, the assist gas, the speed, and the quality of the cut.
Fiber laser cutting machines can process various metals, including:
- Mild steel;
- Stainless steel;
- Aluminum;
- Brass;
- Copper.
However, cutting capacity varies depending on the generator’s power and the equipment’s configuration.
You should also analyze how often each material is used. A company that primarily cuts mild steel has different needs than a facility that regularly processes aluminum, stainless steel, or reflective metals.
What is the standard thickness of the sheets?
Maximum thickness is important, but it shouldn’t be the only criterion.
Imagine that the company cuts 3- to 8-mm-thick sheet metal on a daily basis, but occasionally receives orders for 20-mm-thick material. Choosing an entire machine based solely on this occasional need could increase the investment without guaranteeing a proportional return.
To make the right decision, divide the thicknesses into three groups:
- Most common thickness;
- Maximum uniform thickness;
- Occasional maximum thickness.
The power rating should be selected primarily to ensure productivity at the thicknesses that account for the majority of the work.
How do you choose the power of a laser cutting machine?
The generator’s power affects the maximum thickness, cutting speed, and production capacity.
Higher power may allow for:
- Cutting thicker materials;
- Increase the speed when machining thin and medium-thickness sheets;
- Reduce drilling times;
- Produce more parts per shift;
- To handle a wider range of tasks.
However, more power can also mean:
- Higher initial investment;
- Greater electrical capacity is required;
- Higher operating costs;
- More stringent installation requirements.
The correct power rating must be determined through testing using the materials and parts that the company actually produces.
Is a more powerful machine always better?
No.
A more powerful machine can increase productivity, but it isn’t automatically the best choice for every company.
If production is reduced, the sheets are mostly thin, and the machine is idle for long periods, a lower-power configuration may offer better cost-effectiveness.
On the other hand, a company that operates multiple shifts, processes large volumes, or needs to cut thick materials may benefit from higher power.
The goal should be to strike a balance between:
- Speed;
- Capacity;
- Quality;
- Consumption;
- Investment;
- Number of parts produced.
Should you choose a laser cutting machine for sheet metal, tubing, or profiles?
This decision depends on the products being manufactured.
Laser cutting machine for sheet metal
It is recommended for companies that manufacture parts from flat sheet metal.
It can be used in the manufacture of:
- Metal structures;
- Industrial components;
- Metal furniture;
- Panels;
- Boxes;
- Machine parts;
- Construction materials.
Laser cutting machine for tubes and profiles
It is suitable for companies that process:
- Round tubes;
- Square tubes;
- Rectangular profiles;
- Oval profiles;
- Tubular structures.
Laser tube cutting allows for the creation of holes, notches, contours, and joints directly on the workpiece, reducing the need for subsequent operations.
Combined sheet metal and tube machine
A combined solution may make sense when a company regularly needs both applications but does not want to install two separate machines.
Before choosing this configuration, you should compare the productivity of the combined solution with that of dedicated equipment.
You can learn about the various laser cutting machines for sheet metal, tubing, and profiles offered by MAQFORT and request an analysis tailored to your production needs.
How do you choose the size of a cutting table?
The table size must be compatible with the sheet metal sizes used by the company.
A larger table allows you to work with larger sheets and reduces the need for pre-cuts. However, it also requires more space, proper installation, and typically a higher investment.
Before making your choice, please confirm:
- Standard sheet sizes;
- Maximum dimensions of parts;
- Available space at the factory;
- Space required for loading and unloading;
- Material flow;
- Automation may be installed in the future.
You should not limit your analysis to the area occupied by the machine. You must also take into account the space required for maintenance, unloading, sheet metal storage, and the movement of forklifts or overhead cranes.
How important is cutting speed?
Speed directly influences production capacity, but it must be analyzed in the context of the entire work process.
It’s not enough to simply compare the maximum speed listed in the technical specifications. You should evaluate:
- Drilling time;
- Axle acceleration;
- Movements between cuts;
- Loading and unloading time;
- Changing tables;
- Exchange of materials;
- Program preparation;
- Needs finishing.
A machine that is very fast during cutting may lose productivity if it requires long setup times or if material handling cannot keep up with its pace.
Why is it important to conduct cutting tests?
The tests allow for the comparison of machines under real-world conditions.
Ideally, you should provide the seller with:
- Part drawings;
- Material;
- Thickness;
- Quantity per batch;
- Desired edge quality;
- Required tolerances.
The test should measure:
- Total production time;
- Cut quality;
- Number of parts;
- Gas consumption;
- Need for finishing;
- Waste of materials.
A demonstration using a simple part selected by the supplier may not reflect the company’s actual requirements.
Should the cut’s finish influence the choice?
Yes.
A machine that produces a higher-quality edge can reduce or eliminate subsequent operations, such as:
- Deburring;
- Sanding;
- Correction;
- Manual adjustment;
- Part correction.
When comparing equipment, don’t just look at cutting time. Also consider the time it takes for the part to be ready for the next operation.
A slightly slower machine may be more cost-effective if it significantly reduces the need for manual finishing.
How do you evaluate accuracy and repeatability?
Accuracy refers to the machine’s ability to reach the programmed position. Repeatability refers to its ability to repeat that position throughout production.
These factors are especially important in:
- Technical parts;
- Assembly components;
- Mass production;
- Parts with fittings;
- Work requiring tight tolerances.
Good repeatability helps ensure that the parts produced at the beginning and end of the batch maintain the same dimensions.
However, the result also depends on the programming, the cutting parameters, the quality of the material, and maintenance.
What role does software play in productivity?
The software is an essential part of the solution.
A good system should make it easier to:
- Importing files;
- Program development;
- Definition of parameters;
- Nesting of parts;
- Simulation of the cut;
- Materials management;
- Production monitoring.
Nesting is particularly important because it organizes the parts on the sheet to improve material utilization.
Reducing waste can lead to significant savings, especially when higher-value materials are processed.
What is nesting, and why is it so important?
Nesting is the process of arranging parts on the sheet.
Efficient nesting allows you to:
- Make better use of the material;
- Reduce scrap;
- Reduce movement;
- Organize different orders;
- Increase the number of parts per sheet.
The cost of materials may be higher than the cost of electricity. Therefore, even a small improvement in sheet metal utilization can result in significant savings over the course of a year.
Is it possible to start with a simpler solution and automate it later?
In some cases, yes.
A phased strategy can make it possible to:
- Install the laser cutting machine;
- Stabilize the processes;
- Increase production;
- Add loading and unloading;
- Integrate automatic storage;
- Connect the machine to the management systems.
For this approach to work, the machine and the layout must be set up from the start.
Otherwise, the future installation of the automation system may require costly modifications or become unfeasible due to a lack of space.
How do you measure energy consumption?
The generator’s power output does not match the machine’s total power consumption.
Consumption includes:
- Laser source;
- Chiller;
- Engines;
- CNC;
- Extraction;
- Compressor;
- Automated systems.
To compare machines, please request information on:
- Installed electrical capacity;
- Typical consumption during production;
- Compressed air requirements;
- Extraction power;
- Power consumption of auxiliary systems;
- Energy used in a test batch.
The most useful metric is consumption per unit, not just consumption per hour.
To learn more about this topic, see the article “How Much Energy Does a Laser Cutting Machine Consume?”
What infrastructure is required to install the machine?
Before making a purchase, you should confirm that the factory is prepared to receive the equipment.
Analysis:
- Available electrical power;
- Electrical panel;
- Wiring and protective devices;
- Compressed air system;
- Extraction system;
- Gas supply;
- Environmental conditions;
- Flooring;
- Download links;
- Space for maintenance.
A properly selected machine may require significant modifications at the factory. These costs must be factored into the total budget.
How do you calculate the total cost of the investment?
The cost of the machine is only one part of the project.
The total investment may include:
- Machine;
- Transportation;
- Installation;
- Extraction;
- Compressor;
- Gases;
- Software;
- Automation;
- Electrical modification;
- Artworks in the space;
- Material-handling equipment.
You should also consider recurring costs:
- Electricity;
- Gases;
- Supplies;
- Maintenance;
- Parts;
- Labor;
- Updates;
- Production stoppages.
A lower price quote may turn out to be more expensive in the medium term if it does not include essential components or services.
How do you calculate return on investment?
The return may result from various improvements.
Reduction in Outsourcing
The company is now performing in-house the work that previously relied on suppliers.
Increased productivity
The same team can produce more parts per shift.
Waste Reduction: Nesting and precision improve material utilization.
Better edge quality reduces manual operations.
New Projects
The company can now accept parts, materials, or thicknesses that it was previously unable to produce.
A simple formula for an initial analysis is:
Payback period = total investment ÷ estimated annual benefit
The calculation should take into account realistic yields, not just the machine’s theoretical maximum capacity.
Should you buy a machine to meet your current or future needs?
The machine must meet current production needs and allow for growth.
Choosing based solely on current needs can quickly lead to limitations. However, purchasing a configuration that far exceeds realistic projections can tie up capital without a return.
Analysis:
- Order Trends;
- New sectors;
- Increase in shifts;
- Need for new thicknesses;
- Entry into the tube cut;
- Possible automation;
- Team growth.
The decision should be based on a production plan, ideally with a medium-term perspective.
Why is technical assistance important?
Technical support should be one of the main criteria for making a choice.
A stop can cause:
- Delays in deliveries;
- Line interruptions;
- Subcontracting costs;
- Loss of productivity;
- Customer dissatisfaction.
Before purchasing, please confirm:
- Availability of technicians;
- Access to parts and supplies;
- Possibility of remote diagnosis;
- Maintenance plans;
- Typical response times;
- Operator training.
The price of the machine becomes less important when the equipment is idle and there is no adequate support.
Why choose a MAQFORT laser cutting machine?
The choice of a laser cutting machine should be based on a technical and production analysis, not just a comparison of power ratings.
MAQFORT offers solutions for a variety of applications, including the cutting of sheet metal, tubing, profiles, and three-dimensional parts, with options for automation and production integration.
The company supports customers in equipment selection, installation, training, and technical support, helping to ensure that the chosen configuration meets the plant’s actual needs.
Check out MAQFORT’s laser cutting machines and request an analysis based on your company’s materials, thicknesses, parts, and volumes.
Final summary
To choose a laser cutting machine, start by analyzing the company’s actual production.
Define the materials, thicknesses, shapes, volumes, tolerances, and growth targets. Then, evaluate the power, table size, software, automation, operating costs, and technical support.
Don’t base your decision solely on maximum power, advertised speed, or purchase price. Compare the cost per part, cut quality, and productivity of the entire process.
The right decision is one that enables us to improve production, reduce waste, meet customer needs, and keep pace with the company’s growth.
Written by: Artur Costa
