Laser cutting machine model names often look complicated because they may include letters, numbers, laser type, machine format, laser power, and internal product codes. Understanding these naming rules can help users read basic machine information more easily before comparing different laser cutting equipment.

This guide explains the common structure of laser cutting machine model names and introduces several practical factors to consider when choosing a laser cutting machine, including processing material, laser power, equipment stability, and Thunder Laser machine direction.

1. General Naming Rules for Laser Cutting Machines

The model name of a laser cutting machine is usually made up of English letters and numbers. A complete model name can often be divided into several parts. One practical way to classify laser cutting machines is by laser type. Below are common naming rules used to describe laser cutting machine models.

1.1 Manufacturer

Most equipment manufacturers use the full English name or abbreviation of their brand in the machine model name, such as Thunder Laser, Trotec, or Epilog.

1.2 Laser Type

Three common laser types used in laser cutting are fiber, CO2, and YAG. Solid-state ultraviolet lasers may also be used for precision laser cutting. A fiber laser cutting machine is often abbreviated as CF. A CO2 laser cutting machine may be abbreviated as CC. A YAG laser cutting machine may be abbreviated as C-YAG or CY.

1.3 Laser Power

Four digits are often used to represent the maximum laser output power. For example, 1000 usually means the machine has a maximum laser power of 1000 W.

1.4 Processing Area

Four digits can also be used to represent the working area of a laser cutting machine. In many cases, the first two digits indicate the maximum processing length, and the last two digits indicate the maximum processing width. For example, 1390 usually means the processing area is 1300 mm × 900 mm.

For Thunder Laser models, the series name, working format, and laser power are often combined. For example, Nova 51-130W means a Nova Series machine with a 51-inch working format and 130 W laser power.

1.5 Internal Classification

Internal classification is usually defined by each laser equipment manufacturer and is often represented by letters. Since naming rules vary by manufacturer, model names can only provide basic information. For accurate machine details, it is best to check the official manufacturer information and communicate with the supplier before choosing laser cutting equipment.

2. How to Select a Laser Cutting Machine

Laser cutting machine selection can be considered from three main aspects: processing material, laser power, and equipment stability.

2.1 Processing Material

Processing materials can generally be divided into metal and non-metal materials. Different equipment should be selected according to the cutting material. CO2 laser cutting machines are mainly used for non-metal materials. High-power CO2 laser cutters can also cut some metal materials, but for many metal cutting applications, they are often replaced by fiber laser cutting machines. Fiber or YAG laser cutting machines are more commonly used for cutting metal materials.

2.2 Laser Power

2.2.1 Non-Metal Cutting

Non-metal laser cutting machines can be divided into low-power and high-power types. A CO2 laser cutter with 40–150 W power is suitable for processing non-metal materials with a thickness of less than 20 mm. A CO2 laser cutting machine with 200–1600 W power can cut not only metal materials, but also non-metal materials and some special materials, such as circular saw blades, metal mesh plates, quartz glass, silicone rubber, and alumina ceramics.

2.2.2 Metal Cutting

When processing plates with a thickness of less than 3 mm, especially for small batches with many product types, a small or medium-power YAG laser cutting machine of about 500 W may be suitable. It can cut ordinary steel plates as well as highly reflective materials such as copper and aluminum, helping overcome the limitations of some fiber and CO2 laser cutting machines when cutting highly reflective materials.

When processing ordinary plates thicker than 6 mm, especially for large batches with fewer product types, a high-power fiber laser cutter with power greater than 1000 W is often recommended.

2.2.3 Equipment Stability

Equipment stability is an important selection factor. It is usually better to choose a brand with strong market share, a reliable after-sales service system, broad service coverage, and long-term market experience. A stable machine and dependable support can provide better long-term value.

3. How to Choose a Thunder Laser Cutter

When choosing a Thunder Laser cutter, start by considering whether your main application is engraving, cutting, efficiency, or large-format processing.

Watch the selection video: How to choose a laser cutting machine.