How many types of laser machines are there?

When I first stepped into the world of laser technology, I felt lost. There were so many machine names, types, and categories. I worried about making the wrong investment and wasting both money and time.

There are four main types of laser machines: solid-state lasers, gas lasers, semiconductor lasers, and liquid lasers. Among them, fiber lasers (a type of solid-state) dominate industry use because of their efficiency, reliability, and versatility.

At Kirin Laser, we see this question often. Clients want clear answers before they buy. Let me explain what types exist, how they are used, and why choosing the right one is key.

What are the different types of laser machines?

I have seen many buyers confused by technical terms. Each type of laser machine has unique traits, but only some are suited for industrial production. The rest often belong in research or niche markets.

The main types of laser machines include solid-state lasers (fiber, Nd:YAG), gas lasers (CO₂, excimer), semiconductor lasers, and liquid dye lasers. Each works on a different medium, and each has its own advantages and limitations.

Solid-State Lasers

Solid-state lasers use crystals or fibers as the medium. Fiber lasers¹ are the most popular today for marking, welding, and cutting. They offer high power, excellent beam quality, and low maintenance.

Gas Lasers

Gas lasers like CO₂² are known for cutting thick metals and non-metals. However, they require constant maintenance and gas refills, which makes them less cost-effective over time.

Semiconductor Lasers

These are small, efficient, and common in communication and sensing. They are not the main choice for industrial cutting, but they lead in LiDAR, optical interconnects, and compact systems.

Liquid Lasers

Dye lasers offer tunable wavelengths. They are flexible for research and spectroscopy but not practical for industrial settings due to complexity and cost.

Type of Laser	Strengths	Weaknesses
Solid-State (Fiber)	Efficient, reliable, high beam quality	Higher upfront cost
Gas (CO₂)	Good for thick cutting	High running cost, maintenance heavy
Semiconductor	Compact, scalable, low cost per unit	Not for heavy industrial processing
Liquid (Dye)	Tunable, wide spectrum	Bulky, messy, expensive to maintain

How many types of laser tools are there?

When people ask this, they often mix up “lasers” with “laser tools.” I always remind them: machines are built around laser sources, but tools are how we apply them.

Laser tools can be divided into marking machines, welding machines, cutting machines, and cleaning machines. Each tool is built around a laser source that matches the task.

Main Tools in Industry

At Kirin Laser, our core lineup focuses on industrial use:

• Laser Marking Machines³: For engraving or coding metals, plastics, and more.
• Laser Welding Machines⁴: For joining metals with precision and less heat damage.
• Laser Cutting Machines: For sheet metal, tubes, and other manufacturing tasks.
• Laser Cleaning Machines: For rust removal, paint stripping, and surface prep.

Why These Four Matter

I learned that businesses want solutions, not just lasers. A marking machine is useless if it cannot adapt to production lines. Welding machines must balance speed and joint strength. Cutting machines must lower cost per cut. Cleaning machines must reduce chemical waste. These tools bring lasers into daily industrial use.

Tool	Key Application	Benefit
Marking Machine	Engraving, serial numbers, codes	Permanent, high precision
Welding Machine	Joining metals, battery tabs	Strong, clean, less deformation
Cutting Machine	Metal fabrication, sheet cutting	High speed, accurate, less waste
Cleaning Machine	Rust, oil, paint removal	Eco-friendly, non-contact, efficient

What are the classification of laser machines?

Classification depends on the medium, but also on the industrial task. I always explain to buyers that there are two ways to classify: by source type and by application.

Laser machines can be classified by their source (solid-state, gas, semiconductor, liquid) or by their application (marking, welding, cutting, cleaning). This dual classification helps industries choose the right machine for the job.

By Source Type

• Solid-State Lasers: Fiber, Nd:YAG.
• Gas Lasers: CO₂, excimer.
• Semiconductor Lasers: Diode-based.
• Liquid Lasers: Dye.

By Application

• Marking: Serial numbers, codes, logos.
• Welding: Automotive, electronics, batteries.
• Cutting: Metals, plastics, wood, composites.
• Cleaning: Rust, coating, paint, contaminants.

Why Classification Matters

I once worked with a client who bought a CO₂ laser⁵ for marking. The result was poor because CO₂ was not the right match. After switching to a fiber laser marking machine⁶, their codes became sharp, permanent, and fast to produce. This shows why classification is critical before purchase.

Classification7 Way	Examples	Best Use Case
Source	Fiber, CO₂, Diode, Dye	Defines performance and maintenance
Application	Marking, Welding, Cutting, Cleaning	Defines industry fit and ROI

Which is better CNC laser or CO₂ laser?

This is the question I hear most from industrial clients. It often comes from confusion. CNC is not a laser type—it is a system. CO₂ is a laser source. Comparing them directly creates misunderstanding.

CNC laser refers to the machine system that uses numerical control, while CO₂ laser refers to the source. Fiber CNC lasers often outperform CO₂ CNC lasers in speed, cost-efficiency, and maintenance for most modern industrial tasks.

The Key Difference

• CNC: Means computer numerical control. It describes automation and precision, not the light source.
• CO₂ Laser⁸: A specific type of gas laser that emits infrared light, often used for cutting non-metals or thick metals.

My Experience

I once worked with a fabrication shop that used CO₂ CNC lasers. They faced high costs, gas refills, and mirror alignments. When I suggested moving to fiber CNC, they saw 30% faster throughput, fewer breakdowns, and better edge quality.

Factor	CNC (System)	CO₂ (Source)	Fiber CNC (Modern Standard)
Nature	Automation framework	Laser type (gas-based)	System with fiber source
Cost	Depends on source used	High maintenance	Higher upfront, lower lifetime
Performance	Source dependent	Slower, less efficient	Faster, efficient, reliable
Industry Fit	Any laser application	Niche, non-metals, thick	Metals, industrial production

The Practical Answer

The better choice depends on material and job. If you need thick acrylic or wood, CO₂ still makes sense. But for metals, marking, welding, and cutting, a fiber CNC⁹ system is the smarter investment.

Conclusion

Laser machines¹⁰ come in four main types: solid-state, gas, semiconductor, and liquid. In practice, industries use them through four key tools: marking, welding, cutting, and cleaning. Among all, fiber CNC lasers dominate today because of efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. From my work with Kirin Laser, I have seen how the right classification and choice transform production lines. If I had to answer simply: fiber CNC laser machines are the future, and they are the best partner for growth.