Fiber laser cutting on metal
Short answer
Fiber laser cutting is a CNC-controlled metal-cutting technology where light generated in an optical fiber melts the material while an assist gas blows it clear of the cut. Craftarea's fiber laser holds a positional tolerance of ±0.1mm and cuts mild steel up to 10mm, stainless steel up to 6mm, aluminium up to 5mm, and copper or brass up to 3mm.
"Fiber laser" and the Georgian "ბოჭკოვანი ლაზერი" name the same machine class on the local market — this page covers that specific class and its measurable tolerance; for the general cutting service, see our laser cutting on metal page. Craftarea runs a CNC-controlled fiber laser: light generated inside a solid optical fiber core is focused onto the metal surface, melting it while an assist gas blows the molten material out of the cut. Unlike an older CO2 laser, a fiber laser's roughly 1064nm wavelength is absorbed far better by metal, which makes it especially effective on reflective, highly conductive metals — stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass.
Key facts
- Positional tolerance
- ±0.1mm
- Mild steel max thickness
- up to 10mm
- Stainless steel max thickness
- up to 6mm
- Aluminium max thickness
- up to 5mm
- Copper/brass max thickness
- up to 3mm
- Kerf width
- 0.1-0.2mm
- Minimum hole diameter
- ≈1× material thickness
- Minimum order / quote
- 1 piece / within 24 hours
What is a fiber laser and how does it differ from CO2?
Fiber laser and "bochkovani lazeri" are two names for the same machine class: the beam is generated by diodes pumped into a solid optical fiber core, not in a gas-filled tube like an older CO2 laser. A fiber laser's wavelength is roughly 1064nm, versus about 10600nm for CO2 — metal absorbs the shorter wavelength far more efficiently. That makes fiber lasers faster and less energy-hungry on metal generally, and especially on reflective alloys such as stainless steel, aluminium, copper and brass, where a CO2 beam loses a significant share of its energy to reflection at the surface. Craftarea's CNC-controlled cutting machine is exactly this class.
How precise is fiber laser cutting on metal?
Positional tolerance on Craftarea's fiber laser is ±0.1mm — tight enough for small holes, fine contours, and parts that need to nest tightly on a single sheet. Kerf width, the material removed by the beam, typically runs 0.1-0.2mm depending on material type and thickness. Minimum hole diameter is roughly equal to material thickness: a hole under 2mm in 2mm steel is already in risky territory. Precision does not degrade with batch size, because a CNC program drives the head rather than a human hand — the first and the hundredth part come off the sheet with identical geometry, which matters when dozens of identical logos or nameplates must be cut from one sheet.
Which metals and thicknesses can a fiber laser cut?
The table below lists the metals and maximum thicknesses Craftarea cuts on its fiber laser. We keep the upper thickness limit deliberately below the technical maximum — the goal is consistent edge quality across the full range, not a bare "technically possible" claim. Reflective, highly conductive metals — aluminium, copper, brass — are more thickness-limited than mild steel, because part of the beam energy reflects away and part disperses through the material as heat. If your part exceeds the listed thickness, we route it to a vetted partner workshop or recommend plasma cutting instead. A complete, all-materials thickness comparison lives on our dedicated thickness guide.
When does fiber laser beat plasma cutting?
Fiber laser wins whenever the job needs fine detail, a clean edge with no secondary finishing, and tight geometric accuracy — up to 10mm on mild steel and 6mm on stainless. Plasma cutting makes more sense on plate thicker than 10mm, where cutting speed and cost per part matter more than precision. Craftarea's own equipment is limited to the fiber laser: we do not operate a plasma machine in-house, and we route thick-plate orders to a vetted partner workshop. See our full laser-vs-plasma comparison for precision, thickness, edge quality and cost side by side.
Fiber laser thickness and tolerance by material
| Material | Max thickness | Positional tolerance | Assist gas | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild / carbon steel | up to 10mm | ±0.1mm | Oxygen (O2) | Fast cut, thin oxidation line on edge |
| Stainless steel (inox) | up to 6mm | ±0.1mm | Nitrogen (N2) | Clean, oxide-free edge |
| Aluminium | up to 5mm | ±0.1mm | Nitrogen (N2) | Thickness limited by high reflectivity |
| Copper / brass | up to 3mm | ±0.1mm | Nitrogen (N2) | Thickness limited by high conductivity |
| Plate thicker than 10mm | — | — | — | Routed to partner workshop or plasma cutting |
How it works — step by step
- 1
File intake and review
We receive a vector file (DXF, DWG, or AI) or, if none exists, prepare one from your sketch or drawing. We check that contours are closed and that hole diameters meet the minimum — roughly one times material thickness.
- 2
Material selection and nesting
We select the correct metal and thickness, then arrange parts on the sheet for maximum yield (nesting) to minimise offcut waste.
- 3
CNC programming
Cut paths and parameters — power, speed, assist gas — are loaded into the machine controller based on material type and thickness.
- 4
Cutting
The fiber laser cuts the metal at ±0.1mm positional tolerance, with an assist gas — oxygen or nitrogen — blowing the molten material clear of the cut line.
- 5
Edge finishing
When needed, we deburr any small dross left on the edge — important for parts that will be handled by hand or assembled.
- 6
Quality check and handoff
We measure key dimensions against the original file, then prepare the part for pickup or delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How is a fiber laser different from an ordinary laser?
A fiber laser generates its beam inside an optical fiber rather than a gas-filled tube, which makes it more energy-efficient on metal — especially reflective metals like stainless steel, aluminium and copper. CO2 lasers are more commonly used on non-metal materials such as wood, acrylic and leather.
Why is it called a 'fiber' laser?
The name comes from the optical fiber where the light is generated and amplified before it reaches the cutting head. 'Fiber laser' and the Georgian 'bochkovani lazeri' are synonyms for the same technology.
What thickness can a fiber laser cut on metal?
Craftarea's fiber laser cuts mild steel up to 10mm, stainless steel up to 6mm, aluminium up to 5mm, and copper or brass up to 3mm. Thicker sheet is routed to a vetted partner workshop.
What is the minimum hole diameter?
As a rule, hole diameter should not fall below material thickness — a hole under 3mm in 3mm steel is already in risky territory. We check this as soon as we receive your file and flag any problem areas before cutting.
Does the cut edge need extra finishing?
Usually not on stainless steel or aluminium — the edge comes off clean. On mild steel cut with oxygen, a thin oxidation line can appear on the edge, which we remove on request.
What file do I need to send for cutting?
A vector file in DXF or DWG format with closed contours. If you don't have one, send a sketch or photo and we'll prepare the file for you.
Can I order just 1 piece?
Yes, minimum order is 1 piece. We send an exact price quote within 24 hours of receiving your file.
What metal jobs is a fiber laser not the right tool for?
Very thick plate — steel above 10mm — or heavy structural profile is no longer an economical fit for a fiber laser. In those cases we recommend plasma cutting or another method and connect you with a partner workshop.