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CO₂ Lasers at a Glance

Werkstatt & Studio

Enclosed CO₂ lasers excel at clean cuts and consistent engraving with integrated safety and extraction. They are the go‑to for studios, schools and small production.

Compared to diode machines, they handle clear acrylic and thicker woods with ease, but require more space, higher budgets and occasional maintenance (mirrors, optics, alignment).

Clean cuts & enclosures

Safer operation with closed housing and filtration – ideal for classrooms and workshops.

Strong on acrylic

Crystal‑clear edges on cast acrylic and reliable performance on many plastics and woods.

Find the right CO₂ laser

Power classes

Common desktop CO₂ sources range from ~40 W to 100 W+. Choose more power for faster cutting of thicker materials.

  • 40–60 W – desktop class for acrylic/wood projects
  • 80–100 W – faster cuts, larger work areas
  • >100 W – productivity and industrial use

Pros & limits

  • Pros
  • Clean, polished edges on acrylic
  • Enclosed operation and better fume management
  • Stable results for production
  • Limitations
  • Higher cost and footprint
  • Heavier machines and maintenance (optics)
  • Lower detail on tiny engravings vs. fine diode spots

Material overview

Observe local safety rules for ventilation and material choice (never cut PVC).

Suitable materials

  • Wood
  • MDF
  • Acrylic (incl. clear)
  • Leather
  • Paper & cardboard
  • Rubber

Better avoid

  • Metals (marking only with spray)

Verwendungszwecke & Stimmen

Studio

“CO₂ gives our acrylic parts a polished edge straight off the machine.”

— Product Lab

FabLab

“Enclosed cabinet and filters keep fumes under control in shared spaces.”

— City Makerspace

Education

“Safe workflow for students combined with strong cutting performance.”

— Tech Campus

Subcategories

CO₂ lasers by build

CO₂ lasers can also be divided into the following types.

K40 – entry class

Compact 40 W CO₂ units (K40) – affordable entry into CO₂ laser tech.

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Desktop – hobby/tabletop

Compact CO₂ systems with smaller beds for hobby and prototyping.

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Professional – business

Mid‑range power for studios, makerspaces, and small series.

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Find the right CO₂ laser

CO₂ laser FAQ

What can a CO₂ laser cut?
💡
Wood, MDF, acrylic (including clear), paper, leather and many plastics. Never cut PVC. Metals generally require fiber or diode for marking with sprays/pastes.
How to choose power?
💡
For hobby work, 40–60 W is a solid start; for faster cuts and larger jobs consider 80–100 W.
What about maintenance?
💡
Expect mirror cleaning and alignment; keep filters fresh and ensure airflow is adequate.