What is a sheet metal laser cutting service?

When you're dealing with tight tolerances, high-volume orders, and rising labor costs, traditional cutting methods just don't cut it anymore.

A sheet metal laser cutting service uses fiber laser technology to make precise, fast, and clean cuts in metal materials—ideal for industrial clients who want high efficiency and minimal waste.

Fiber laser cutting has become the go-to solution in industries like HVAC, automotive, and manufacturing. But what makes it so effective? And how does it differ from other services or methods? Let’s dive in.

What is laser cutting in sheet metal?

You’ve probably seen laser cutting in action, but when it comes to sheet metal, the stakes are higher—accuracy matters, and every second counts.

Laser cutting in sheet metal means using a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize metal along a programmed path, creating clean, precise cuts. It’s often used for steel, aluminum, brass, and more.

How fiber laser cutting works

The laser in fiber systems is generated using rare-earth doped fibers. Compared to CO2 lasers, fiber systems are more compact, energy-efficient, and much faster at cutting thin to mid-thickness metal sheets.

Why precision matters in sheet metal jobs

At Kirin Laser, many of our OEM clients work with intricate part geometries. One mistake in cut quality¹ can throw off an entire production line. Fiber laser cutting solves this with beam diameters under 100 microns. That means tighter tolerances², repeatable accuracy, and fewer quality rejections.

Feature	Traditional Cutting	Fiber Laser Cutting
Cut Edge Quality	Slag and burrs	Clean and smooth
Speed on Thin Sheets	Medium	Very High
Material Versatility	Limited	Very Flexible
Maintenance & Downtime	Higher	Lower

We recently helped a metal fab shop transition from turret punching to a 3kW fiber laser. They cut cycle times by over 50%—and that was just in the first month.

What is laser cutting service?

People often confuse laser machines with the service itself. But there's more to the service than just the hardware.

A laser cutting service is a full operation that provides customers with precision-cut metal parts using industrial laser machines, typically fiber lasers. It includes design input, machine setup, cutting, and often post-processing or delivery.

Why choose a professional service instead of buying your own machine?

At Kirin Laser, we serve two types of clients: those who want to buy machines, and those who outsource cutting jobs. For the latter, we often recommend working with a trusted laser cutting service before investing in equipment.

Here's why:

• Lower upfront cost³ – No need to spend on a $60K+ machine
• No training curve – Skilled operators already in place
• Faster production⁴ – Jobs can start immediately
• Scalability⁵ – Easy to handle high-volume or low-volume batches

Consideration	In-House Equipment	External Service
Initial Investment	High	Low
Operator Skill Needed	Yes	No
Scalability	Medium	High
Lead Time Control	High	Medium

One HVAC client of ours in Florida started with outsourcing laser cutting before they purchased their own fiber system from us. After six months of testing designs and volume, they were confident enough to invest—and today, they run 24/7 production.

What is sheet metal cutting?

Sheet metal cutting may sound basic—but it's the foundation of nearly every fabricated product around us.

Sheet metal cutting refers to processes that slice or shape metal sheets into usable parts. These include mechanical shearing, plasma cutting, and increasingly, fiber laser cutting.

The evolution of sheet metal cutting

The old-school methods—shearing, sawing, or punching—still exist, but they come with limits: edge burrs, limited complexity, and slower speeds.

Fiber laser systems⁶, on the other hand, can cut:

• Complex contours
• Small holes and slots
• Thin to mid-thickness metals

The three key advantages of laser over mechanical cutting:

1. Non-contact cutting⁷ – No tool wear or drag
2. Minimal deformation⁸ – Great for aluminum or thin steel
3. Digitally driven – CAD to part in minutes

Method	Best For	Limitations
Mechanical Shearing	Straight cuts, thick sheets	Not suitable for curves or patterns
Plasma Cutting	Budget-heavy jobs	Rough edge, heat distortion
Fiber Laser	Precision, clean edges	Higher initial cost

I had a customer working with traditional mechanical dies for repetitive aluminum shapes. They switched to a laser-based process and immediately saw better yield, tighter cuts, and reduced scrap.

What are the three types of laser cutting?

Not all lasers are created equal. Understanding the types helps you pick the right tech for the job.

The three main types of laser cutting are CO₂ laser cutting, fiber laser cutting, and crystal laser cutting (like Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4). Each has its use case depending on materials and application.

How each laser type works

Let’s break down their strengths and trade-offs:

1. CO₂ Laser Cutting

• How it works: Uses gas mixtures to excite CO₂, producing an infrared beam.
• Strengths: Great for non-metals—wood, acrylic, plastic.
• Weaknesses: Lower efficiency on metal; higher maintenance.

2. Fiber Laser Cutting

• How it works: A diode laser feeds light into a fiber-optic cable doped with rare-earth elements.
• Strengths: Fast, precise, and low-cost operation on metals.
• Weaknesses: Not ideal for thick reflective materials like copper over 10mm.

3. Crystal Laser Cutting (Nd:YAG / Nd:YVO4)

• How it works: Uses crystals to amplify laser beams.
• Strengths: High power for thick materials and detailed marking.
• Weaknesses: Shorter lifespan, expensive crystals.

Laser Type	Best For	Metal Performance	Cost	Maintenance
CO₂	Non-metal engraving	Low	Medium	High
Fiber	Sheet metal cutting	High	Low	Low
Crystal	Marking, fine detail	Medium-High	High	Medium

At Kirin Laser, we focus on fiber systems⁹ because they offer the best balance of performance, speed, and energy efficiency for sheet metal. Our industrial customers rarely switch back after trying fiber.

Conclusion

A sheet metal laser cutting¹⁰ service isn’t just about slicing metal—it’s about precision, speed, and adapting to modern manufacturing needs. Fiber laser cutting, especially, stands out as the most efficient and reliable method. Whether you’re outsourcing jobs or investing in your own machine, understanding the processes and tools can save you time, money, and frustration. At Kirin Laser, we help clients every day move toward smarter production with cutting-edge solutions.