A fiber laser creates light in a diode-pumped, rare-earth-doped glass fiber (often ytterbium). The same fiber both amplifies and guides the light to the cutting head. There, the beam is focused to a very small point of high energy density. The result is a narrow cutting gap (kerf), high speed and good detail reproduction-especially in thin to medium-thick sheet metal and in reflective metals such as aluminum and copper. 

CO₂ laser cutting uses a gas laser with a wavelength around 10.6 µm. This energy is well absorbed by materials such as acrylic, wood, cardboard, textiles and leather, as well as thin metal sheets. The result is narrow cuts and often shiny edges in plastics. The method is relevant when you want high detail, small radii and low heat impact. Compared to mechanical processing, there is no tool wear. Compared to fiber laser, CO₂ is strong in non-metals. Compared to waterjet, it is faster on thinner materials, but requires extraction for flue gases.