How thick of wood can a laser cutter cut?

How Thick of Wood Can a Laser Cutter Cut?

Laser cutting is one of the most precise and efficient methods for processing wood. Whether you are creating decorative panels, furniture components, or customized craft products, laser cutters deliver clean edges, smooth surfaces, and highly detailed patterns. Many users often ask: How thick can a laser cutter actually cut wood?
The answer depends on several key factors—including laser power, wood type, lens setup, air assist, and machine configuration.

Below is a complete guide to help you understand real cutting capabilities and choose the right laser machine for your production needs.

Laser Power and Cutting Thickness

The power of the laser significantly affects how thick of a wood piece it can cut. Below is a general guideline based on CO2 laser cutter power levels:

Laser Power and Cutting Thickness

Laser power is the MOST important factor affecting maximum cutting thickness. Here is a generalized reference for CO₂ laser cutters based on real-world usage:

40W–60W Laser Cutters

• Maximum thickness: 3–5mm (1/8"–1/5")

• Best for: thin plywood, MDF, craft wood, engraving

• Common users: hobby studios, makers, DIY projects

80W–100W Laser Cutters

• Maximum thickness: 8–12mm (1/3"–1/2")

• Best for: thicker plywood, MDF, softwood

• Common users: small workshops, gift customization factories

130W–150W Laser Cutters

• Maximum thickness: 15–20mm (3/5"–4/5")

• Best for: hardwood, deep cutting, furniture components

• Common users: woodworking factories, decoration contractors

200W and Higher

• Maximum thickness: 25mm+ (1 inch +)

• Best for: industrial applications, bulk production, solid wood

• Common users: industrial woodworking, mass furniture production

Tip: The thicker the wood, the more important the air assist, lens focal length, and machine stability.

Wood Type and Its Effect on Cutting Thickness

Different wood materials absorb laser energy differently:

Plywood

• Cuts well but requires higher power

• Glue layers may burn, reducing cutting efficiency

MDF

• smooth and uniform

• absorbs laser energy easily but produces a lot of smoke

• requires strong air assist

Softwood (Pine, Cedar, Balsa)

• Easy to cut

• Suitable for low-power lasers

Hardwood (Oak, Walnut, Maple, Birch)

• Dense, requires higher laser power

• Produces very clean edges with correct settings

Other Factors Affecting Cutting Performance

1. Laser Speed & Power Settings

• High power + slow speed = deeper cut

• Balanced settings ensure clean edges without excessive burning

2. Lens Selection (Short vs. Long Focus)

• Short-focus lens: better engraving, thin materials

• Long-focus lens: deeper penetration, thicker wood cutting

3. Air Assist

Air assist helps:

• cool the cutting area

• remove smoke and debris

• improve cutting quality

• reduce burning

4. Number of Passes

Some machines allow multi-pass cutting to safely cut thicker wood with lower heat impact.

Typical Applications for Wood Laser Cutting

Laser cutters are widely used in:

• Furniture prototyping

• Decorative wall panels

• Architectural models

• Gift processing & DIY crafts

• Packaging molds

• Educational projects

• Customized signage

• T-shirt printing stencils (MDF molds)

High precision and non-contact processing make them ideal for both small workshops and large-scale factories.

6030 Co2 laser cutting machine 

1390 Co2 wood laser cutting machine 

1610 laser cutting machine 

1325 laser cutter 

If you need to cut wood efficiently and cleanly, we can recommend the perfect CO₂ laser cutter based on your material, thickness, and budget. Contact us for free samples and cutting tests.

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