Fiber Laser Cutting Explained:
Speed, Accuracy, and Why It Beats Old-School Methods
If you’ve spent any time in fabrication, you already know this: not all cutting methods are created equal.
CO₂ lasers had their moment. Plasma cutters still have their fans. Mechanical cutting will always have its place.
But in today’s world — where customers want cleaner edges, tighter tolerances, and shorter lead times — fiber laser metal cutting is in a league of its own.
At Starflex Fabrication, we run two Amada fiber laser systems (3kW and 9kW), and they’ve completely transformed the way we process metal. Faster output, cleaner edges, smarter material use — that’s what today’s workloads call for, and it’s exactly where fiber lasers shine.
Below is a look at how fiber laser cutting works, why it matters, and how it helps us keep our promise of getting your parts right the first time.
What Is Fiber Laser Cutting?
It’s a simple idea with powerful results: a concentrated laser beam, sent through a fiber optic line, cuts flat metal into whatever shape we program. No torches, no flames — just pure precision.
Think of it like drawing with a pen… except the pen is a high-power beam that slices steel with hair-thin accuracy.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- We load the CAD file straight from SolidWorks into our Amada Dr. ABE software.
- The software nests the parts, organizing them on the sheet to minimize waste.
- The material gets placed on the cutting table.
- The laser gets to work—cutting every shape with pinpoint precision.
- The parts come off clean, ready for bending, welding, powder coating, or assembly.
No heavy burrs. No slag. No grinding marathons. Just crisp, clean edges that fit exactly the way they should.
How Fiber Laser Cutting Beats Old-School Methods
If you’ve seen CO₂ laser or plasma cut parts, you know the pain points:
- Heat distortion
- Messy edges
- Slow cutting speeds
- Lots of cleanup
- Inconsistent tolerances
Fiber lasers solve all of that in one shot.
Cleaner than CO₂
No mirrors. No gas mix. No inefficient beam paths. Just a clean, uninterrupted fiber delivering energy straight to the material.
More precise than plasma
Fiber cuts produce:
- No slag
- No heavy burr
- A minimal heat-affected zone
- Almost zero distortion
Faster than both
Two to three times faster, depending on thickness.
And because fiber lasers run cooler, cleaner, and with fewer moving parts, maintenance stays low and uptime stays high.
What Materials Can Starflex Cut?
A better question is: what can’t we cut?
We regularly process:
- Hot-rolled steel: 22-gauge up to 1″ thick
- Cold-rolled steel: same range
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Galvanized steel
If it’s metal, there’s a very good chance we can cut it.
Precision That Makes the Entire Shop Run Smoother
Fiber laser metal cutting isn’t just about nice edges — it’s about making sure every downstream process goes right.
At Starflex, we routinely hold tolerances of ±0.005. That level of accuracy makes life easier for everyone:
- Press brake operators get predictable bends.
- Welders get parts that actually fit together.
- Assemblers don’t waste time fighting misaligned holes.
- Customers get parts that bolt up cleanly the first time.
Precision isn’t a luxury—it’s the difference between a smooth job and a frustrating one.
Speed & Efficiency: Where Fiber Lasers Really Shine
Speed isn’t just about cutting faster—it’s about cutting smarter.
Our Amada Dr. ABE software handles nesting, pierce points, and travel paths so efficiently that we often complete runs in half the time older systems would require.
Real example:
A customer brought us a run of 4,000+ parts. Thanks to the laser’s speed and optimized pathing, we completed the job in almost half the original quoted time.
Less machine time = shorter lead times + lower cost per part.
When the laser moves fast, the entire project moves fast.
Industries That Rely on Our Laser Cutting
Fiber laser cutting is versatile enough to support every industry Starflex serves, including:
OEM Manufacturing
- Brackets
- Housings
- Plates
- Structural components
Food & Beverage
- Stainless steel guards
- Panels
- Enclosures
Transportation & Support Equipment
- Steps
- Bumpers
- Control panels
- Chassis add-on parts
Defense
- Tight-tolerance enclosures
- Mission-critical components
- ITAR-compliant work
If the product demands precision — and most do — the fiber laser is where it starts.
Our Equipment: Power + Accuracy Under One Roof
Starflex uses:
Amada 3kW Fiber Laser
Perfect for thin and medium-gauge materials at high speed.
Amada 9kW Fiber Laser
A workhorse for heavier material — and a major edge over shops still running older CO₂ systems.
CAD-to-Laser Workflow
From SolidWorks to Dr. ABE to the fiber laser cutting machine
This ensures:
- repeatability
- material optimization
- minimal scrap
- fast turnaround
Everything happens in the same facility, managed by the same team, with the same quality standards.
Why Fiber Laser Cutting Beats Old-School Methods (Short Version)
Here’s the quick list:
- Faster cutting speeds
- Cleaner edges
- Less heat distortion
- Little to no cleanup
- Tighter tolerances
- Better material utilization
- Lower operational costs
- Faster lead times
- More consistent parts
It’s simply a better way to cut metal.
What Customers Notice
We hear these phrases constantly:
- “The edges are unbelievably clean.”
- “Everything fits perfectly.”
- “I didn’t expect it to be that fast.”
Fiber laser cutting doesn’t just improve the product — it improves the whole experience.
Why Starflex Invested in Fiber Laser Technology
Because customers expect:
- speed
- accuracy
- consistency
- competitive pricing
Fiber laser cutting helps us deliver all of that while staying lean, modern, and efficient.
It also sets the foundation for the rest of our shop — forming, welding, powder coating, assembly — because great parts start with great cutting.
The Starflex Difference
At Starflex, laser cutting isn’t a stand-alone service. It’s part of a fully integrated workflow:
- Laser cutting
- CNC press brake forming
- TIG/MIG welding
- Machining
- Powder coating
- Assembly & kitting
When everything happens under one roof, your project moves faster and stays consistent from CAD to the final part.
Ready to Cut Your Next Project?
If you’re looking for cleaner cuts, tighter tolerances, and lead times that actually work with your schedule, our laser team is ready.
Contact Starflex Fabrication to get a quote or talk through your next project — we’ll help you take the next step with confidence.