First of all, if a laser can cut certain materials, it can also engrave them. But if a laser is engraving certain materials, it is not necessary it will be able to cut them. For cutting, high power is needed compared to engraving.

Diode laser machines can easily cut 5-8mm thick solid wood, 5-10mm thick plywood, 2-5mm thick acrylic, cardboard, paper, and leather. These are the common materials that almost all laser diode machines can cut according to their power.

Solid wood

Plywood

Steel

Leather

Acrylic

The materials that a CO2 laser can engrave are acrylic, wood, leather, plastic, fabric, glass, rubber, brick, ceramics, bone, aluminum, and steel.

Solid wood

Plywood

Steel

Leather

Acrylic

Plastics

Fabric

Rubber

Engraving

Metal sheets

Copper

Acrylic

Painted Metal

Nickel

Rubber

Steel

Machine power refers to the input power of the machines. It does not represent the power of a laser.

The most important power is the laser optical/output power. It is the power that shows the ability to cut and engrave materials. The laser coming out of the module has optical power, and buyers need to see this power to understand what a laser machine can do.

xTool has introduced the world's first diode laser module with 20W optical power. The module is very powerful, which can cut up to 10mm plywood in one pass. It does the job quickly and with high precision. It increases the efficiency of engraving and cutting of a diode laser machine.