Most laser cutting machines are operated via CNC programs or configured as cutting robots. As a precision machining method, laser cutting is capable of cutting virtually any material, including both 2D and 3D cutting of thin sheet metal.
In the automotive manufacturing sector, technology for cutting complex spatial curves-such as those found on car sunroofs-is widely employed. Volkswagen, for instance, uses 500W lasers to cut complex-shaped thin-gauge body panels and various curved components. In the aerospace industry, laser cutting is primarily used for specialized materials such as titanium, aluminum, nickel, and chromium alloys, as well as stainless steel, beryllium oxide, composites, plastics, ceramics, and quartz. Aerospace components processed via laser cutting include engine flame tubes, thin-walled titanium alloy casings, airframes, titanium alloy skins, wing stringers, tail section panels, helicopter main rotor blades, and ceramic heat shields for space shuttles.
Laser cutting and forming technologies also find extensive application with non-metallic materials. They can cut not only hard, brittle materials-such as silicon nitride, ceramics, and quartz-but also flexible materials like fabric, paper, plastic sheets, and rubber. For example, using lasers for garment cutting can reduce fabric waste by 10% to 12% and increase productivity more than threefold.