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Textile laser cutting

Applications fabric, carpet and textile laser cutting with laser cutters

The automotive, fashion and clothing industries use laser cutting of textiles as an integral part of their production process. Advantages are major cost savings, flexibility also for smaller series and, in particular, increased added value by using the latest processing techniques. With CO2 laser cutters you can perfectly design and cut your digital design in a short time. Ready for further processing.

Laser engraving and perforating fabric, carpet and textiles

In addition to laser cutting fabric, carpet and textiles, it is also possible to laser engrave fabric, carpet and textiles. Below you will find a number of examples of laser engraving and laser perforation of textiles and technical textiles.

laser cutting textile kevlar
Laser cutting of technical textiles

Cloth, carpet and textile laser cutting with CO2 laser cutters

CO2 laser machines are ideal for laser engraving and laser cutting of textiles. Both natural and synthetic fabrics can be laser cut and engraved. Polyester, nylon, cotton, felt, woven, non-woven and glass fiber fabrics, as well as heat-resistant and other technical textiles have been used for laser cutting.

Laser cutting of complex patterns

Detailed graphics and intricate designs are possible with laser engraving and cutting, something that was not possible with traditional methods.

cutting edges

The thermal laser process ensures that the cut edges are automatically sealed when laser cutting textiles, eliminating rough edges or fraying during the process. The non-contact laser processing, the distortion-free cutting and the high precision are also emphasized advantages for the use of laser technology in textile processing.

Textile laser cutting – no washing steps, no chemicals

In addition, no chemical dyes and intensive washing steps are used: good for the environment.

Laser cutting felt
Laser cutting of felt

Technical textiles and fabrics suitable for laser cutting

Types of textiles that are suitable, among other things, for laser cutting include the following materials.

In many cases it is also possible to laser cut other textiles or fabrics. Contact MetaQuip to further investigate this together.

  • Aramid
  • fleece
  • Side
  • Polyester
  • Denim
  • Linen
  • Cotton
  • Silk
  • Felt

Want to get a quote, demonstration or your own material? 

You are most welcome to see whether laser technology is a suitable solution for your cutting or engraving application or application. Bring your digital design or material to a demonstration and we can view the result on the spot. Of course you can also send it.

What are the advantages compared to
conventional cutting methods?

Contactless

Laser cutting of textiles is a contactless and toolless process. There is no contact during the laser cutting process. This also prevents warping of textiles and fabrics. 

no fraying

The laser beam melts the material, after which clean and smooth cuts are the result. Fraying of the end product is hereby excluded.

Consistent results

No wear on cutting blades, consistent results.

Environmentally friendly

It is a completely contactless method that does not require any chemicals or washing steps, so it is also good for the environment.

Can I cut all materials equally well with the laser?

Laser cutting synthetic materials works very well. These materials often contain plastic or polyester. The laser beam melts the polyester in a controlled manner. This ensures that frayed edges are excluded. When laser cutting organic textiles, for example cotton or linen, the produced cuts become slightly brown in color (this effect also occurs with wood). This effect can be compensated to some extent by selecting the correct lens and laser parameters and by using compressed air.

What designs can I cut with a laser cutter?

Whether you want to laser engrave fleece or produce extravagant cut shapes on curtains or lace, the laser offers you incredible design possibilities. Almost all designs can be realized with the laser.

Types of laser processing – laser cutting, laser perforation, laser engraving

Laser technology allows you to cut, mark and engrave in a very fast and reproducible way, saving time and reducing costs.

Laser cutting sportswear

Laser cutting and textiles

With a CO2 laser machine you can cut out a large number of shapes and designs directly from (technical) textiles and fabric.
Optionally, it is also possible to take certain patterns or stripes in the material into account during laser cutting, based on vision camera systems. You can also cut out letters, labels or texts with the same systems.

Laser perforating textiles

Laser perforating cloth and textiles

Laser perforation of cloth and textiles is often used in industry to facilitate the removal of air and moisture. In addition to the standard solutions, MetaQuip has also optimized special laser machines to perforate materials at high speed.

Laser engraving jeans

Cloth, fabric and textile laser engraving

Laser engraving cloth, fabric and textiles such as fleece or jeans fabric gives a personal and unique character to garments. In addition to clothing and fashion, this can also be used for marking textiles.

Examples of cloth and textile laser cutting, perforation and laser engraving

Here we show a number of common applications of laser processing on (technical) textiles. Laser cutting of textiles, laser perforating of textiles and laser engraving of textiles.

Filters

Laser cutting of technical textiles - filters and filter cloth
Filters & Filter Cloth

Filter cloth, filter mat, filter material laser cutting PP, PA, polyester, nylon fabric and glass fiber fabrics.

Automotive airbags

Laser cutting of airbag textiles
Airbags

Laser cutting airbags for automotive.

Activewear & Sportswear

Laser cutting of sportswear and swimwear
Sports & Swimwear

Laser cutting of pre-printed sports and swimwear. Contour cutting of sublimation prints; laser perforation of clothing; Precise cutting letters, numbering on uniforms…

Flags and banners

Laser cutting of flags and banners
Banners & Flags

Laser cutting of banners and flags. Textile printing - laser cutting printed polyester fabrics for banners, flags, soft signage.

stickers

Cutting stickers with laser
stickers

Laser cutting stickers.

Clothing industry

Laser cutting of clothing and fashion
Clothing

Clothing and fashion, laser cutting, laser engraving, marking and perforation.
Bespoke, ready-to-wear, haute couture – fabric laser cutting, engraving and perforation.
Applique, Embroidered Badges, Patches, Labels, Woven Labels Laser Cutting.

Carpet and cloth

Laser cutting of carpet
Carpet

Carpet (tiles) laser cutting.

Automotive interior trim

Laser cutting automotive upholstery
Automotive interiors & upholstery

Automotive and aviation seat covers. Laser cutting of car seat covers, car mats, aircraft mats and sunshades.

Insulation materials

Heat protective fabrics, thermal insulation fabrics, woven heat shrink protective sleeves laser cutting.

Air distribution ducts

Fabric air duct (air pockets) laser cutting and perforating.

Outdoor and sports equipment

Laser cutting tents, sails, parachutes awning fabrics; Marine matt laser engraving / marking.

furniture upholstery

Curtains, sofas, cushion materials, cushions, floor and wall coverings, furniture fabrics laser cutting and engraving.

How does laser engraving work on textiles?

A number of fabrics, especially on a polyester basis, can be laser-engraved very nicely with a CO2 laser machine. Special advantages when using the laser on textiles are:

  • Speed: engraving a logo can be applied quickly without much preparation
  • Flexibility and possibility of personalization
  • Precision: whether you need to make 1 piece or 1000 pieces. Always the same high quality.

Fleece laser engraving

On the right you see an example of fleece laser engraving. On the right you see fleece fabric in which we have engraved a logo and text with a CO2 laser.

laser engraving of textiles and fabrics - fleece
Laser engraving of fleece fabric

Processing textiles and fabrics with CO2 laser machines

MetaQuip supplies a wide portfolio of laser machines for laser cutting and perforating textiles, fabrics or carpet. From machines for large dimensions and volumes, to machines for smaller-scale use. For cutting textiles and fabrics you need a CO2 laser machine required.

Standard CO2 Production laser machines

MetaQuip's standard CO2 production laser machines are suitable for simpler textile cutting and engraving work because they are not equipped with a camera vision system as standard. Important things to take into account are: what is the maximum size of the object that you want to cut out, that determines the size of your worktop and what is the maximum thickness that must be cut that determines the laser power you need.

High-precision camera textile laser cutting solutions

MetaQuip's has a number of closed CO2 laser machines that can also be equipped with a vision camera system. This makes it possible to recognize logos, numbers and letters and to cut them out automatically at high speed. This recognition by the vision system is based on image recognition technology in combination with registration features on the textile. The graphic recognition has a cutting accuracy of up to 0.3mm.

CO2 laser machine production
CO2 production laser machine

Want to get a quote, demonstration or your own material? 

You are most welcome to see whether laser technology is a suitable solution for your cutting or engraving application or application. Bring your digital design or material to a demonstration and we can view the result on the spot. Of course you can also send it.

Portal laser machines – cloth and textile laser cutting of large surfaces and roll 2 roll

MetaQuip has the so-called portal laser machines for laser cutting (and sometimes also laser engraving) of large size cloths and roll 2 roll operations. These are often used for laser cutting in the textile industry and are available in various sizes. For example, consider the laser cutting of small batches and/or clothing with a lot of variation (such as tailor-made clothing).

Work surface

Width : 1600mm ~ 3200mm (63” ~ 126”)
Length: 1300mm ~ 13000mm (51” ~ 511.8”)

Portal-laser-machine-machining-large-plates

Textile software

For the textile lasers, special software is also included for a number of machines, optimized for use for textile applications. Think of manual or automatic placement of designs on the textile in order to use the available surface as optimally as possible.

Automatic Voltage Correction Feeder

To guarantee an accurate material supply, MetaQuip can also supply an automatic tension correction feeder. The material supply and therefore also the cutting result are maximum. The deformation in the tissue transport can be solved with special software.

Textile software

For the textile lasers, special software is also included for a number of machines, optimized for use for textile applications. Think of manual or automatic placement of designs on the textile in order to use the available surface as optimally as possible.

Fully closed version

In addition to the open bed portal laser machines, MetaQuip also has portal lasers that are completely closed and are therefore laser class 1: inherently safe without further measures.

Closed gantry laser machine

Vision camera system

MetaQuip's portal lasers can also be equipped with a vision camera system. This makes it possible to recognize logos, numbers and letters and to cut them out automatically at high speed. This recognition by the vision system is based on image recognition technology in combination with registration features on the textile. The graphic recognition has a cutting accuracy of up to 0.3mm.

Galvo portal laser machine – total solution

High-speed textile laser cutting, textile laser engraving, high-speed perforating and kiss-cutting

This combo system combines a CO2 galvo laser and an XY gantry and shares one laser tube.

CO2 Galvo – high speed engraving and perforation

The CO2 galvo offers high speed engraving, marking, perforating and cutting of thin materials.

Portal laser – processing thicker material

The XY portal laser allows processing of thicker material.

All operations on one machine. Formats up to 1.7 m × 2 m.

Both types of operations can be completed with one machine. This reduces manual handling between machines and ensures that your floor space is used as efficiently as possible.

Textile laser cutting, engraving and perforation.

Tailor-made solutions for carpet, fabric and textile laser cutting and laser perforation

In addition to the standard solutions, MetaQuip also has options for realizing custom solutions especially for marking or cutting textiles. Here is a brief summary of the different options.

Gear and rack drive

High speed and acceleration, and can maintain long-term stability.

High precision

Spot size up to 0.1mm. Perfectly handle corners, holes and complex images.

Assembly Line System

For fully automatic laser processing directly from the roll.

Automatic roll feed

With tension correction function, for continuous and accurate supply of textiles.

Laser powers from 65-800W

Different CO2 laser powers are available from 65 watts to 800 watts.

Automatic nesting

Maximize material usage with nesting software.

Highlight function

Inkjet printer module and Ink marking module capabilities.

Different workbed sizes

Workbed sizes can be customized, even ultra long and wide table sizes are possible.

Camera recognition systems

For laser cutting of printed fabrics or embroidered labels.

Automatic sorting system

Automatic laser intelligent manufacturing solution for Industry 4.0 and integration capabilities.

Single, dual or multiple laser heads

Dual laser heads or multiple laser heads are available for productivity enhancement.