One of the most advanced and widely used laser marking systems in the world today is the fiber laser engraving machine. It offers a high degree of versatility, requires little maintenance, and does not require any consumables during the marking process. We all know about the excellent engravings achieved with a 50W Fiber Laser Engraver but what can a 50W fiber laser cut?
A 50W Fiber Laser engraver can cut thin gold, silver, brass, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum. Cutting thickness for gold, silver, and brass materials ranges from 0.3 to 1.5mm, depending on the material.
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The fiber laser engraver has a wide range of applications, particularly for precise and efficient marking in the metal and plastic processing sectors. Many people who are thinking about purchasing a fiber laser engraver have asked us what can a 50W fiber laser cut. So we decided to write this article to answer the question in depth, read on to find out more.
What Is a 50W Fiber Laser?
A 50-watt fiber laser is a powerful laser system that uses a fiber optic cable doped with rare-earth elements (like ytterbium) to produce a high-intensity laser beam. Unlike CO₂ or diode lasers, fiber lasers emit a wavelength around 1064 nm, which is highly effective for metals and certain plastics.
This makes them ideal for:
- Industrial metal marking
- Jewelry engraving
- Tool marking
- Automotive and aerospace components
- Deep engraving applications
Materials a 50W Fiber Laser Can Cut
A 50W fiber laser is designed primarily for metal engraving, though it can handle some other materials with proper settings.
Material Type | Can It Cut? | Details |
|---|---|---|
Stainless Steel | Yes, With Multiple Passes | Can cut thin sheets (up to ~1.5 mm) with clean edges and minimal burr. Excellent for nameplates, tags, and jewelry. |
Aluminum | Yes, With Multiple Passes | Cuts up to ~1 mm thick depending on alloy and settings. Polished aluminum may require more passes. |
Brass | Yes, With Multiple Passes | Cuts thin sheets; reflective surface requires proper focus and safety precautions. |
Copper | No | Reflectivity makes it harder to cut; engraving works well, but full cutting is not recommended. |
Titanium | Yes | Cuts up to ~1 mm thick and engraves efficiently—ideal for aerospace and custom jewelry. |
Carbon Steel | Yes | Can cut up to 1.5 mm; produces strong, clean cuts. |
Plastics (ABS, PVC, Acrylic) | No | Not recommended; can produce toxic fumes or poor results. |
Non-metals (Wood, Leather, Glass) | No | Fiber lasers are not suitable for organic materials—use a CO₂ or diode laser instead |
How Deep Can a 50W Fiber Laser Engrave?
Depth depends on the material hardness, laser focus, and number of passes. On average:
Material | Typical Engraving Depth |
|---|---|
Stainless Steel | 0.3 – 1.5 mm |
Aluminum | 0.2 – 1 mm |
Brass | 0.2 – 0.7 mm |
Titanium | 0.5 – 1.0 mm |
Carbon Steel | 0.5 – 1.5 mm |
For industrial deep engraving, multiple passes can achieve up to 1.5 mm depth. At this power level, a 50W fiber laser is excellent for permanent, high-contrast markings or 3D relief engravings.
Marking and Etching Capabilities
Besides cutting, the 50W fiber laser shines in marking and etching applications. You can achieve:
- Black marking on stainless steel
- Color engraving (on titanium and stainless steel with MOPA lasers)
- Serial numbers, barcodes, and QR codes
- Custom logos and text engravings
This versatility makes it a favorite for metal branding and part identification.
Tips for Optimal Cutting Performance
To get the best results from your 50W fiber laser, follow these expert tips:
- Use assist gas (like oxygen or nitrogen) to improve cutting quality and reduce oxidation.
- Adjust focus height precisely—a small offset can dramatically affect cut depth and edge quality.
- Optimize power and speed settings through test cuts on scrap material.
- Keep the lens clean—debris buildup can scatter the beam and reduce power efficiency.
- Use proper ventilation to remove metal fumes safely.
Recommended Applications for a 50W Fiber Laser
Here are some of the most popular uses for a 50W fiber laser:
- Custom metal jewelry engraving and cutting
- Industrial nameplates and asset tags
- Guns, knives, and tools marking
- Automotive parts serial number marking
- 3D metal art and relief engraving
- Cutting thin metal sheets for prototypes or models
Our Recommendation: xTool F2 Ultra
The xTool F2 Ultra is a powerhouse for makers, jewelers, and small manufacturers who demand precision and depth in metal processing. Featuring an advanced 60W MOPA + 40W Diode dual-laser system, this machine excels in deep metal engraving and light-duty cutting with impressive speed and accuracy.
It can cut brass and stainless steel up to 2 mm, silver up to 1 mm, and gold up to 0.2 mm—making it one of the most capable desktop fiber lasers in its class. However, since laser cutting is a subtractive process, expect minimal material loss when working with precious metals like gold and silver. For example, a 1 mm brass name necklace takes about 6 minutes to cut with exceptional precision and clean edges.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it can cut and engrave:
MOPA Fiber Laser (60W)
Best for: Metals & Hard Plastics
Engraving Materials
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Copper
- Titanium
- Platinum
- Silver
- Gold
- Anodized Aluminum
- Hard Plastics (ABS, Polycarbonate)
Cutting Capabilities
- Brass: up to 2 mm
- Stainless Steel: up to 2 mm
- Silver: up to 1 mm
- Gold: up to 0.2 mm
- Aluminum: up to 1 mm
Perfect for jewelry, nameplates, tags, and industrial metal marking.
Special Functions
- Color Engraving: Over 100+ colors on stainless steel and titanium
- True Black Marking: Deep, durable black tones without sprays
- 3D Deep Engraving: Ideal for coins, molds, and relief art
Diode Laser (40W)
Best for: Non-Metal Materials
Engraving Materials
- Wood (Basswood, Birch, Maple, Walnut, MDF, Plywood)
- Leather
- Acrylic (opaque/dark colors)
- Paper & Cardboard
- Fabric & Denim
- Bamboo
- Stone (Slate, Marble)
- Ceramic
- Glass (with marking spray or tape)
Cutting Materials
- Wood: up to 20 mm (0.8”) in multiple passes
- Acrylic: up to 23 mm (0.9”) in multiple passes
Excellent for signage, models, decor, and craft production.
Bonus Features
- AI Material Recognition: Automatically detects and applies settings
- Dual 48MP Cameras: Precise alignment with 0.2 mm accuracy
- Pre-set Material Library: Over 500 tested materials with optimized parameters
Summary Table
Laser Type | Ideal For | Can Engrave | Can Cut | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
60W MOPA Fiber | Metals | Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Gold, Silver | Up to 2 mm metals | Color engraving, black marking, 3D engraving |
40W Diode | Non-metals | Wood, Acrylic, Leather, Paper, Stone | Up to 23 mm wood/acrylic | Deep cuts, fine detailing, vibrant engraving |
In short, the xTool F2 Ultra is the ultimate choice for heavy-duty metal engraving and precision light-metal cutting, combining speed, accuracy, and versatility for professional-grade laser projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 50W fiber laser cut steel?
Yes, it can cut thin carbon and stainless steel sheets up to around 1.5mm thick, depending on setup and material composition.
What’s the maximum depth of engraving possible?
Up to 1.5 mm deep with multiple passes and optimal settings.
Can fiber lasers cut wood or acrylic?
No, fiber lasers are not suitable for non-metals. For wood or acrylic, use a CO₂ or diode laser.
Is 50W enough for industrial applications?
Yes—50W is a mid-to-high power level suitable for most metal cutting, deep engraving, and precision marking tasks.
What’s the difference between 30W and 50W fiber lasers?
A 50W laser offers faster engraving, deeper cuts, and higher throughput, making it better suited for business or heavy-duty use.
Final Thoughts
The xTool F2 Ultra 60W MOPA fiber laser offers a perfect balance between power, precision, and versatility. It can cut thin metals, engrave deeply, and mark with extreme detail—making it one of the best tools for both creative professionals and industrial users.
Whether you’re making jewelry, tags, or intricate prototypes, this laser power level delivers the precision and performance needed to bring your designs to life.