Author: Coen – last edit: November 11, 2024
Are you looking for a laser cutter for wood?
Then discover the possibilities of our powerful CO2 laser cutter for wood! Whether you work with thin sheets or sturdy, solid wood, our machines offer exactly the power you need to cut through any type of wood. The versatility of our CO2 laser cutters does not stop at cutting alone. Use the same machine for detailed laser engraving too! With this combination of laser cutting and engraving you can create unique designs, ideal for billboards, model making, furniture, custom artwork or personalized products.
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Laser cutter for wood
Laser cutting for wood opens up a world of creative possibilities. From detailed artwork and personalized gifts to professional signage and luxury packaging – with a laser cutter you can realize the most beautiful and precise designs. This technology allows you to work wood with precision and create unique projects that immediately catch the eye.
The 6 Benefits of a Laser Cutter for Wood
1. Precise and detailed cut
A laser cutter for wood delivers extreme precision, with razor-sharp cuts and perfect contours. Whether you want to cut complex shapes or engrave fine details, the laser beam ensures a professional result, every time.
2. Versatility in design options
With a laser cutter, the creative possibilities are endless. From intricate patterns to personalized shapes, you can create unique wooden designs that are hardly possible with traditional techniques. This makes your products truly distinctive.
3. Minimal material waste
The focused laser beam allows for extremely precise cutting, which reduces material waste. You make the most of your wooden materials and produce less waste – good for both costs and the environment.
4. Efficiency and time saving
Laser cutters offer an automated process that is fast and consistent, ideal for increased productivity. Making multiple cuts at once? No problem – saving time and increasing profitability, perfect for companies with high production volumes.
5. No physical contact with the material
Unlike sawing or milling, a laser cutter does not touch the wood directly, which eliminates the risk of damage. The result? Tight, smooth edges without splinters or burrs and less need for post-processing.
6. Automation and precision repetition
Computer-controlled technology allows laser cutters to make repeatable cuts with precision. This ensures consistency, which is essential for identical wooden parts or large production runs, and minimizes errors on every project.
Materials and thicknesses for a laser cutter for wood
With our CO₂ laser cutters you can process various types of wood, including plywood, MDF and balsa wood. The required laser power varies depending on the thickness and density of the wood:
- Thin wood (3-6 mm plywood) – usually requires a laser power of 60 watts.
- Thicker wood – for wood thicknesses up to 15 mm, such as poplar plywood, a laser power of 130 watts is suitable.
- Pressed wood – often requires more laser power than natural wood due to its higher density.
Please note: when cutting thicker wood, the edges may darken due to soot formation. However, this effect can be reduced by using the correct settings and applying any post-processing.
Maintenance and lifespan
Regular maintenance of your CO₂ laser cutter is essential for optimal performance and a longer life. Many maintenance tasks, such as cleaning mirrors, lenses and moving parts, can be performed by yourself using the maintenance products that MetaQuip offers. For more complex maintenance or repairs, MetaQuip offers professional service options. In addition, when purchasing your MetaQuip laser, you can service or maintenance contract close for periodic maintenance and support.
Model building: giving your creativity free rein
Because the laser cutter cuts the wood with extremely high precision, these CO2 laser machines are perfectly suitable for model building. Even the smallest details can be cut out razor-sharp time after time without any problems.
Laser cutting plywood and plywood wood
With a CO2 laser cutter for wood you can cut thin plywood (from 3-6mm) but, depending on the available laser power, also thicker wood. As a result, in addition to model building, you can also think of, for example, the realization of wooden furniture.
Examples of possible results
- 130W machine: Cuts poplar plywood up to 15 mm thick. Edges may be slightly darker.
- 100W machine: Suitable for 4 mm birch or poplar. Clean and almost soot-free cutting, without post-processing.
- 40W machine: Can cut 4mm poplar, but sanding is often necessary to remove soot.
- 12mm poplar plywood: With a 130W machine on 85% power you can cut at a speed of 25 mm per second.
When purchasing, it is good to take these options into account. MetaQuip is happy to help you with advice tailor-made to make the right choice.
Review Styling for Love – Barneveld
“We recently purchased a MetaQuip CO₂ laser cutter and are very pleased with the results. The machine allows us to create precise personalized products from natural materials for our customers. The user-friendliness and reliable performance make the work efficient and fast. MetaQuip’s technical support is also excellent. A valuable investment for my company!”
Difference: laser cutting or engraving?
Laser cutting and engraving wood offers a variety of creative possibilities that cater to different needs. Laser cutting is used to precisely cut wood and work out complex shapes, ideal for making furniture, displays or unique wooden decorations.
Engraving, on the other hand, does not go through the material, but adds fine details and patterns to the surface. This allows you to personalize logos, text or designs on wooden objects, perfect for promotional items or personalized gifts.
Depending on the desired result, MetaQuip CO2 laser systems that can both cut and engrave, giving you the flexibility to fully bring your ideas to life.
Discover the possibilities with a trial demonstration
Come along with your own design or material and discover whether our laser cutters are the perfect match for your applications. Make an appointment now!
Why companies choose MetaQuip
MetaQuip offers a complete portfolio of laser cutters and engraving machines, with which companies always find the right solution. Their machines meet the latest requirements in the field of safety and laser safety, so that you can get started with peace of mind. In addition, companies can benefit from a no-obligation demonstration or a custom-made sample, so that they can experience the quality and possibilities of the machines themselves. With competitive prices, high quality and excellent service, MetaQuip remains an innovative and reliable partner.
Energy costs of laser cutters for wood
The energy consumption of a wood laser cutter depends largely on the power of the machine. For example, a 100W laser cutter consumes an average of 1.5 kW per hour, with components such as cooling and fans also contributing to the total consumption.
With a daily usage time of 2 hours and an electricity price of €0.22 per kWh, the energy costs are around €0.66 per day, or around €20 per month. By planning the usage well and using the machine efficiently, you can control the energy costs and get the most out of your investment.
Our target groups
- Advertising and sign companies: Laser cutters for creating wooden displays, signs and logos for eye-catching commercial applications.
- Craftsmen and decoration companies: For handmade decorations such as home accessories and artwork with unique designs.
- Packaging industry: Luxury and personalized wooden packaging, such as custom boxes and crates.
- Model building companies: Precision for cutting small parts in maquettes and scale models.
- Promotional and gift industry: Personalized promotional gifts and items, such as engravings on wooden pens and key rings.
Safety and health
Laser cutters for wood require attention to safety and health. During cutting, smoke and fine dust particles can be released, which can be harmful if inhaled. Therefore, good extraction is essential to keep the air clean. In addition, users must wear protective glasses to protect themselves from the laser beam. With the right safety measures, you can work safely and responsibly with your laser cutter
Application for advertising and sign companies
Laser cutters for wood offer advertising and sign companies a wealth of opportunities to create eye-catching and personalized products. With a laser cutter, companies can cut precise and detailed designs into wood, such as signs, displays, and logos. They can also easily create complex shapes that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. Engraving can also be used to create fine details, such as text or patterns on wooden surfaces.
Our CO2 laser cutters for wood
MetaQuip has the CO2 LITE 2+ series and the CO2 production series that are perfect for laser cutting wood. The wood can also be engraved with these machines. If you want to laser cut larger objects, then a CO2 portal laser with large workbed the ideal solution. For laser engraving large numbers of wooden objects a galvo laser the appropriate solution. An overview of all laser cutters supplied by MetaQuip.
CO2 laser cutter LITE 2+
Laser cutting of wood and other organic materials
Laser powers up to 60W
Work bed up to 600 x 400mm
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Desktop CO2 Laser Machine - LITE2 +€3.490,00 – €4.290,00
CO2 laser cutter production series
Laser cutting of wood and other organic materials
Laser powers up to 250W
Work bed up to 1500 x 900mm.
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Production CO2 Laser Cutter & Engraving Machine€5.670,00 – €32.990,00
22mm pine laser cutting with a CO2 Portal Laser
MetaQuip CO2 portal laser machines are perfectly suitable for laser cutting large pieces of leather, textile, plastic and wood up to 3000 x 1500 mm (larger on special request). We also have these portal lasers with extra high laser powers (up to 350 Watt). Here's a short demonstration of laser cutting 22mm wood. This demonstration shows what is possible on softer woods such as spruce and pine.
Quotation, demonstration or testing your own material?
Experience for yourself whether our laser technology is the perfect solution for your application. Bring your design or material, or send it in, and see the result immediately. Make an appointment today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which software settings optimize cut quality for detailed designs?
For a razor-sharp cut quality in detailed designs, a high DPI setting is important. Reduce the cutting speed for more precision, but also adjust the laser intensity to avoid burning. Air compression and frequency settings can further optimize the results. For complex designs, manual tuning for best results or using a high resolution lensMetaQuip is happy to advise on the ideal settings per project.
How does the CO₂ laser cutter compare to fiber lasers?
CO₂ lasers are ideal for wood and organic materials, while fiber lasers perform better on metal and certain plastics. Fiber lasers are faster and more precise for metal, but CO₂ lasers provide sharper cuts on wood. For applications such as advertising or decoration, CO₂ laser cutters are often the best choice for versatility and quality. For laser engraving high volumes of products, we recommend using a CO2 galvo laser.
Which type of wood gives the best results when laser cutting?
Poplar and birch woods generally give the best results when laser cutting due to their homogeneous structure and low resin content, which results in sharp, clean cutting edges. Harder woods such as oak are also possible, but can cause more soot formation at higher settings. For best results, it is advisable to do a test cut.
What air filters are needed to capture wood particles during laser cutting?
For laser cutting wood, an extraction system with a HEPA filter and an active carbon filter is essential. A HEPA filter captures fine dust particles, while a carbon filter neutralizes harmful fumes. This not only ensures a safe working environment, but also prevents smoke and dust from contaminating machine parts, which can extend the life of the laser cutter. Extraction and filtration are essential for good air quality in your workspace.
What certifications are required for commercial use?
For commercial use of laser cutters in the Netherlands it is important that the machines comply with the CE machine guidelines and international safety standards such as the IEC 60825-1 for laser safety. MetaQuip's CO2 Laser machines such as the Lite and Production series are laser class 1 machines that can always be used safely without further precautions. In addition, the Arbo legislation may impose requirements on safety and extraction in work areas. Always check local legislation or industry regulations for any additional requirements for professional use.
Can I automatically set up patterns to do series work faster?
Yes, many laser cutters, such as those from MetaQuip, come equipped with Laserworks or Lightburn software that supports automatic settings and patterns, which can significantly speed up production runs. Features such as batch processing allow you to run designs repeatedly without having to make manual adjustments each time. This is ideal for producing identical pieces in large runs, increasing efficiency and saving time.
What options are available for post-sales technical support?
MetaQuip offers extensive technical support to help customers get the most out of their machines. Upon purchase, you will receive basic training so that you can get started right away with simple laser processing. For more advanced applications, MetaQuip offers in-depth training, both on-site and in their training center. Repairs are carried out by experienced technicians with original parts, so that your machine is quickly operational again. Do you have specific maintenance needs? MetaQuip offers installation and maintenance services to keep your machine in top condition. Contact contact us for more information about the available support and services.