Fiber laser cutting on metal
Short answer
Fiber laser cutting on metal is available through Craftarea in Tbilisi. 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. Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.
"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
- Tolerance by specification
- Mild steel max thickness
- up to 10mm
- Stainless steel max thickness
- up to 6mm
- Aluminium max thickness
- up to 5mm
- Copper/brass max thickness
- thickness confirmed for the alloy and surface
- Kerf width
- 0.1-0.2mm
- Minimum hole diameter
- Confirmed for the drawing and material
- Minimum order / quote
- Timing by agreement
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?
Kerf width, the material removed by the beam, typically runs 0.1-0.2mm depending on material type and thickness. The manufacturable minimum hole diameter depends on the metal grade, thickness, geometry and particular equipment. Specify the required size in the drawing; the team confirms feasibility after reviewing the file. 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. Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.
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 | Tolerance by specification | Oxygen (O2) | Fast cut, thin oxidation line on edge |
| Stainless steel (inox) | up to 6mm | Tolerance by specification | Nitrogen (N2) | Clean, oxide-free edge |
| Aluminium | up to 5mm | Tolerance by specification | Nitrogen (N2) | Thickness limited by high reflectivity |
| Copper / brass | thickness confirmed for the alloy and surface | Tolerance by specification | Nitrogen (N2) | Thickness limited by high conductivity |
| Plate thicker than 10mm | — | — | — | Routed to partner workshop or plasma cutting |
How It Works
- 1
File intake and review
Send DXF, DWG, AI or a vector PDF. The team checks closed contours, scale and hole feasibility for the selected material.
- 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
Specify the required tolerance in the drawing; achievable tolerance and edge finishing are confirmed for the material, thickness and geometry.
- 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?
Why is it called a 'fiber' laser?
What thickness can a fiber laser cut on metal?
What is the minimum hole diameter?
Does the cut edge need extra finishing?
What file do I need to send for cutting?
Can I order just 1 piece?
What metal jobs is a fiber laser not the right tool for?
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