How to choose a suitable fiber laser cutter?

When you choose a fiber laser cutter, the wrong decision costs you time and money. Many buyers get stuck because they don’t know what matters.

To choose the right fiber laser cutter, you must look at power, material, thickness, precision, and your budget. Know what you cut, how thick it is, and how clean you want the edge.

If you want to get the best value and avoid regrets later, stay with me. I’ll share what I’ve seen at Kirin Laser and how I guide my clients.

How to choose a fiber laser cutting machine?

If you pick the wrong machine, you risk slow cuts, poor quality, or wasted money. Many companies chase cheap options, but cheap is expensive when your parts fail inspection.

To choose a fiber laser cutting machine, match the power to your material and thickness. Look at the machine’s speed, cutting head, and software. Pick a trusted supplier who gives good support.

Match power and material

At Kirin Laser, I always ask my clients: What do you cut most? Mild steel? Stainless? Aluminum? Each metal reacts to the laser beam differently. For thin mild steel sheets, a 1000W may work fine. But for thicker stainless or aluminum, you need more power to keep the cut clean and fast.

One time, I helped a client cutting stainless sheets but he saw edge burrs. He used a low-power laser. I advised him to switch to a higher wattage with a better beam source. That fixed the burrs overnight. Smooth edges, higher speed, less scrap.

Look at the cutting head and software

A stable, auto-focus cutting head saves setup time. Good software helps you nest parts better, reduce waste, and control cutting speed. It’s not just about hardware. I tell every client: pay for good software, you’ll save money in the long run.

What to look for when buying a laser cutter?

I’ve seen buyers regret buying machines that don’t fit. They pick a cheap option and later spend double fixing problems.

When buying a laser cutter, check the laser source brand, cutting head quality, warranty, service, and spare parts support. Ask for training and tech help.

Pick the right supplier

At Kirin Laser, we don’t just sell machines. We build OEM machines for partners who rebrand them. Many times, I talk to procurement managers who handle rebranding and resale. They need reliable tech support³ and steady spare parts. I know how supply delays hurt production.

If you buy a cutter, ask: Does the supplier have spare parts⁴ in stock? Do they answer calls fast? Do they offer training? One buyer from the US once called me. He bought a cheaper model elsewhere but struggled when the power supply failed. He couldn’t find parts. He switched to us and now gets parts and tech help when needed.

Think about future needs

Some buyers buy small machines first but outgrow them fast. Plan for your future. If you see more thick plates coming, buy more wattage now. It costs more up front but saves you from a big upgrade later.

How thick can a 2000W fiber laser cut?

Many buyers ask this when they plan for mid-level cutting needs. I always tell them, power alone doesn’t cut — the whole system matters.

A 2000W fiber laser can cut about 16mm mild steel, 8mm stainless steel, and 6mm aluminum cleanly. Actual thickness depends on speed, gas, and setup.

Real world performance

I remember a case. A client was cutting 12mm mild steel plates with a 2kW. He needed clean edges⁵ with no slag. He ran the machine too fast. I guided him to slow down, adjust gas pressure, and clean the lens. The results changed overnight. Smooth cuts, less rework.

Also, your cutting gas⁶ affects the cut. For thicker mild steel, use oxygen. For stainless, nitrogen keeps the edge bright. Always keep your optics clean. A dirty lens can drop your cutting power by 10-20% — that’s a huge waste.

Consider your edge quality

Cutting thick plates needs patience. If you push too fast, edges get rough. Sometimes buyers say, “My 2kW can’t cut 16mm cleanly!” I explain: slow down, use good gas, check your nozzle and beam focus. Small tweaks make a big difference.

How thick will a 1000W fiber laser cut?

This is the starting point for many shops. I often recommend 1kW for beginners cutting thin sheets. But don’t push it too hard.

A 1000W fiber laser cutter can cut up to 6mm mild steel, 3mm stainless steel, and 2mm aluminum cleanly. Thickness depends on cutting speed and gas.

Start smart

I tell small shops: If you mainly cut thin sheets for signs, panels, or metal art, 1kW⁷ is enough. It’s affordable, easy to run, and cheap to maintain. But don’t expect miracles on thick plates. If you plan to grow, think about a modular option. Start with 1kW, upgrade later.

One client started with 1kW for metal art signs. After a year, orders grew. He called me, asking if he should buy a whole new machine. I told him we could swap the laser source and upgrade to 2kW⁸. He kept the same bed and head. He doubled capacity with half the cost of a new machine.

Keep your expectations real

When cutting at the limit, slow down the feed rate. Keep the beam focus perfect. Check your nozzle daily. If you see sparks flying the wrong way, stop. Something’s wrong. Never run a weak laser at max limit all day. It shortens the life of your source.

Conclusion

Choosing the right fiber laser cutter⁹ is not just about watts. It’s about your metal, your thickness, your edge finish, and your plans to grow. At Kirin Laser, I help clients every day match the right power, cutting head, and support plan to their real work. A good cutter does more than cut — it saves time, cuts costs, and grows with your business. If you want clean cuts, less scrap, and peace of mind, choose wisely.