Laser cutting copper

Laser cutting copper – precise, distortion-free, and dimensionally stable

Copper is one of the most challenging materials for laser cutting due to its high reflectivity and excellent thermal conductivity, which require specialised technologies and extensive experience. However, with state-of-the-art fibrelaser technology and comprehensive expertise, LaserJob can process copperfoils and sheets from 0.01 to 0.8mm precisely and efficiently without any distortion.

We produce even the most complex geometries and delicate structures with dimensionalaccuracy and minimalburrs, making them ideal for applications in electronics, energy technology, and related industries. Our customers benefit from our flexible manufacturing, fast processing, and consistently high-quality products, with orders starting from a quantity of one.

LaserJob – Your expert in precise laser cutting of copper.

Your experts for laser cutting copper

Precise CAD data: Experienced colleagues convert your drawing or sketch into CAD format. We manufacture optimizedto the tolerance center.

The perfect combination of machine and manual work: CNC-controlled laser cutting systems implement CAD data with µm precision. And yet, often only manual intervention in the cutting sequence can achieve the perfect result.

Technical understanding of your project: To manufacture your workpiece in the best possible way, we first record all technical requirements and try to understand its intended use precisely. This allows us not only to manufacture with precision, but also to provide you with specific advice and, if necessary, make suggestions for optimization.

Optimized cutting parameters: Minimal edge roughness is achieved through a combination of precise focusing, optimal cutting parameters, and dynamic beam shaping, based on many years of in-depth industry experience.

High-quality optics and machine precision: Our high-quality laser cutting machines with precise control of optics and cutting parameters contribute significantly to edge quality.

Material and thickness adjustment: Choosing the right material and using thinner materials in combination with optimally adjusted parameters results in lower roughness. With thicker materials, precise coordination of laser power and cutting speed is crucial for component quality.

Minimal heat-affected zone: The combination of a small focus diameter and cutting speeds reduces thermal stresses on the material, thereby minimizing material warpage.

Dynamic power control: Our modern fiber lasers adjust power in real time through pulse modulation and beam shaping. For thin materials, the energy supply is precisely controlled to minimize heat input. Depending on the material type and thickness, these technologies achieve tolerances of ±0.005 mm even with complex geometries, such as those used in aerospace or medical technology.

Excellent reproducibility: Thanks to CNC control and automation, modern laser cutting systems cut every part with extremely high precision and repeat accuracy. Computer-aided control ensures that even in large series, every workpiece is practically identical.

High cost-effectiveness: Laser cutting is fast, enables short setup times, and allows tool-free switching between different designs. This saves time and money, especially with varying or small batch sizes.

Minimal post-processing: High cutting quality and clean edges significantly reduce stress on the material, leading to lower post-processing effort and costs.

Our technologies

LaserJob utilizes advanced technologies and innovative processes to achieve maximum precision and efficiency in laser cutting copper. Our method blends technical excellence with customized solutions designed specifically for your needs.

Our production

Our manufacturing conditions – precision and perfection

Climate-controlled production environment: Consistent temperatures ensure maximum precision and process reliability.
Versatile cutting areas: By expanding the cutting areas to 600 x 2000 mm and 1000 x 1000 mm, we can implement even more of your ideas. We specialize in material thicknesses from 10 µm to 3.0 mm.
In-house designed production machines: Our production machines were designed in-house to enhance the capabilities of conventional standard machines. When combined with proven laser technology from renowned manufacturers such as Trumpf and Alphalaser, we achieve powerful systems with unique production capabilities.
Versatile machines: 20 production machines enable both optimal production variants for each project and a wide range of services (laser cutting, laser welding, laser engraving, but also micro-bending and small-scale machining processes such as turning, milling, or countersinking).
In-house design and data preparation: Project-oriented and personal support from in-house experts.
Extensive material warehouse: Fast response times and high flexibility thanks to on-site warehousing and short links to renowned suppliers.
Redundant manufacturing systems: Consistent and timely delivery capacity through the use of multiple machines operating simultaneously.

With state-of-the-art technology and strict quality standards, we create solutions that meet the highest requirements—both now and in the future.

Material: Copper

We process all common copper sheets and foils in thicknesses from 0.01 to 0.8 mm, most commonly:

High-purity copper (SE-CU58, CW021A, 2.070)

Advantages: SE copper is a highly pure, deoxidisedcopper. It is oxygen-free and has excellentelectricalandthermalconductivity. It is highly resistant to corrosion from water and the atmosphere, easy to weld and solder, and hydrogen-resistant. SE copper is also very easy to form hot and cold.
Application: SE copper is used when the highest standards of conductivity, corrosion resistance, and hydrogen resistance are required.

Pure Copper (Cu-ETP, CW004A, 2.0065)

Advantages:As an electrolytic copper, ETP copper has very high electrical and thermal conductivity. It can be processed precisely with our laser systems using the appropriate laser type and cutting parameters.
Application: Due to its high purity, it is often used in electrical engineering and electronics.

Oxygen-free copper (Cu-OF, CW008A, 2.0040)

Advantages: This high-purity, oxygen-free copper (with a minimum Cu content of 99.99%) is highly malleable and suitable for applications requiring high conductivity and good weldability. However, it is moderately to highly difficult to machine.
Application: Electronics, vacuum technology

Deoxidized copper (Cu-DHP, CW024A, 2.0090)

Advantages: Diese Legierung enthält einen geringen Phosphoranteil und ist gut umformbar.
Application: It is used for applications that require good weldability and solderability, such as in piping or heat exchangers.

Why choose LaserJob?

high accuracy

You can rely on our passion for precision: we meet your requirements with millimeter accuracy.

no matter the quantity

We create products with precision, whether it's a single piece or a series, perfectly suited for prototypes and custom-made solutions.

direct contact

Your benefit: We take care of your request personally—quickly, skillfully, reliably, and we're only happy when you are.

quick delivery

Benefit from our fast delivery times—thanks to our flexible service, even urgent projects always stay on schedule.

The fastest way to reach our order colleagues is by email at mail@laserjob.de or by calling us directly during our business hours.

This enables us to process your request efficiently and promptly. Find your personal contact here.

When it comes to material processing, it is almost impossible to give general delivery time estimates. Requirements and projects vary too greatly. Please contact us directly to discuss how quickly we can deliver to you.

We process copper sheets and foils in thicknesses ranging from 0.01 to 0.8 mm.

Suitable types of copper and their properties

Copper type	Material number	Properties	Typical application
Cu-ETP (pure copper)	CW004A (2.0065)	excellent electrical conductivity, highly malleable	electrical engineering, electronics
SE-Cu	CW020A (2,0070)	good weldability, non-magnetic	seals, heat dissipation plates
Cu-OF (oxygen-free)	CW008A (2.0040)	highly pure, very malleable, weldable	electronics, vacuum technology
Cu-DHP (deoxidized)	CW024A (2.0090)	readily formable, weldable, and solderable	pipes, heat exchangers

Copper sheets are relatively soft and susceptible to scratches and dents. Copper is also highly reactive and oxidizes easily. Due to the particular sensitivity of copper sheets, we only keep small quantities in stock at any given time. However, thanks to long-standing partnerships with renowned material suppliers, we can offer good availability of common copper grades.

Of course, you can also provide us with your own preferred material.

Copper sheets (SE, DIN 2.0070/CW020A) with a thickness of 0.005–0.5 mm are available without any complications.

We support a wide range of file formats:

DXF, DWG, IGES/step, and all common 2D and 3D formats can be processed directly.

Image files such as JPEG and TIFF, as well as Photoshop documents, can also be implemented. We can even create exact cutting commands for our lasers from your drawings, whether they are precise designs or spontaneous hand sketches.

Our precise cutting technology enables us to deliver components with minimal or no burrs as standard. The following post-processing methods are available for special requirements:

Brushing
We use a CNC-controlled brushing process to remove burrs on the laser exit side. The brush head moves in a meandering pattern in four directions across the surface to ensure uniform processing.
Polishing and Manual Deburring (Grinding)
For delicate parts with a material thickness of less than 0.2 mm, we recommend manual deburring. This method ensures maximum precision and protects sensitive workpieces.
Vibratory finishing (barrel finishing)
This process is suitable for parts with a material thickness of 0.5 mm or more and a maximum size of 50 x 50 mm. In drums with a capacity of 5 or 10 liters, the workpieces are processed by friction with abrasive media, which rounds off edges and improves surface quality.

Through our extended workbench, we can offer you a wide range of surface treatments, such as:

Technical surface treatments

Electroplating
Passivation
Black oxide finish
Gilding
Sandblasting
Electropolishing
Anodic treatment

Machining

Turning
Milling
Countersinking
Bending
Grinding
Grating and other machining operations

We manufacture from a quantity of 1 – ranging from prototypes and individual items to full-scale production.
For maximum flexibility, we ensure reliable delivery of your products, regardless of batch size.

Please note: When you provide the material, we always require additional material in order to be able to set the optimum cutting parameters.

Standard tolerances in the field of laser cutting are specified and manufactured in compliance with ISO 2768f. Even smaller tolerances are always determined by the material, material thickness, and contour.

These tolerances can be warranted based on experience:

±5 µm up to 50 µm material thickness
±10 µm up to 100 µm material thickness
±20 µm up to 600 µm material thickness
±50 µm up to >600 µm material thickness

with a positioning accuracy of ±10 µm.

Additionally, we offer the option to measure the cut parts and document them in an initial sample test report, a CoC certificate, or a test report.

We can also accommodate smaller tolerances if required. Please contact us for more information.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a thermal process where solid materials are cut precisely and contactlessly using a highly focused laser beam. The material at the cut point heats up to such a high temperature that it melts, vaporizes, or burns. The removed material is usually extracted from the cut by a gas jet.

Functionality

A laser beam is focused onto a very small point using lenses or mirrors, creating an extremely high energy density.
When the laser beam hits the material, it is heated to a high temperature locally and melts or vaporizes.
A supporting gas flow (e.g., compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen) blows the molten or vaporized material out of the cut.
The cutting process is contactless and causes minimal mechanical stress on the workpiece.

Properties and advantages

Precision: Very fine, complex contours and delicate shapes can be cut with high precision and minimal burr formation (tolerances usually well below 0.1 mm).
Material diversity: LaserJob specializes in metals and metallic foils ranging from 0.01 to 3 mm in thickness. However, our CO² or USP laser can also be used to process plastics, wood, paper, glass, and ceramics.
Cutting quality: Smooth, clean-cut edges, often eliminating the need for post-processing.
Economic efficiency: This method is especially cost-effective for small quantities and prototypes since it does not incur any tool wear.
Speed: High cutting speeds, particularly with thin materials.

Span of application

Laser precision cutting is used in many industries, including:

Metal processing (e.g., sheet metal working)
Mechanical engineering
Automotive
Aerospace industry
Medical technology

Types of laser cutting

Depending on the material and its application, various processes can be distinguished.

Fusion cutting: The material gets melted and blown out with a gas jet.
Burn cutting: The material (mainly steel) gets burned, and the slag is blown out.
Sublimation cutting: The material vaporizes directly without melting.

Copper is a very challenging material for laser cutting, requiring special expertise and modern laser machines. The semi-precious metal is highly reflective, making it virtually impossible to cut copper sheets with a standard CO₂ laser.

Similar to aluminium, copper has excellent thermal conductivity, meaning the heat generated during laser beam cutting is immediately distributed over a large area of the workpiece. However, since copper has a very high melting point, increased energy input from oxygen is required. This enables the smallest possible cutting gap to be achieved while still allowing the cutting gas to be blown in.

To cut thin copper sheets with a thickness of up to 3 mm, a pulsed fiber laser is particularly well suited. Fiber lasers operating at low to medium power (micro) are not quite as fast as continuously emitting lasers (macro). This results in the best quality and highest precision. The thermal load on the sheets is very low.

The cutting gas (e.g., oxygen) used in the cutting process blows the resulting melt out of the kerf and largely prevents scale formation, resulting in virtually burr-free cut edges.

Fiber lasers are the best choice for cutting copper because

they most effectively overcome the specific challenges of this metal:

Shorter wavelength for better absorption: Fiber lasers typically operate at a wavelength of approximately 1.06 micrometers. This wavelength is absorbed much better by copper than the longer wavelength of CO₂ lasers (10.6 micrometers). This allows the laser energy to be introduced into the material more efficiently, resulting in faster and more precise cutting.
Overcoming high reflectivity: Copper strongly reflects laser beams, especially in the infrared range. Fiber lasers with their shorter wavelength minimize this reflection, allowing more energy to reach the material and reducing the risk of back reflection damaging the laser equipment.
Improved thermal performance: Copper conducts heat very well, making it difficult to melt and cut. Fibre lasers generate a highly focused beam with a high power density. This delivers the necessary energy precisely to the cutting area, enabling clean cuts even in materials with a high thermal conductivity.
High precision and cutting quality: Fibre lasers offer excellent beam quality (low M² factor), resulting in very fine, precise and burr-free cut edges. This is particularly advantageous for complex and delicate copper components.
Cost-effectiveness and efficiency: Fiber lasers are more energy-efficient than CO₂ lasers, have lower operating costs, and require less maintenance. They are also versatile and can reliably cut different copper thicknesses.
No complex modifications necessary: Unlike CO₂ lasers, which often require special anti-reflective coatings or special optics to prevent damage from back reflection, fiber lasers can cut copper without additional measures.

Low thermal stress during laser cutting of copper

ensures burr-free cuts because it only heats the material very locally and precisely. This causes the copper to melt and vaporise precisely along the cutting line, preventing the heat from spreading far into the surrounding material. This has several positive effects:

Minimized molten pool formation:
Precise energy input prevents the formation of a large molten pool. This keeps the cut area narrow and reduces unwanted molten residue on the cut edges.
Rapid solidification:
Due to the low heat exposure, the molten material solidifies very quickly. This reduces the risk of burrs or adhesions forming on the cut edge during solidification.
Less warping and oxidation:
This low heat spread stops thermal stress and material distortion. It also keeps oxidation of the cut edge to a minimum, which makes the surface quality even better.
Low thermal stress is particularly important for copper, as it conducts heat very well. This enables the laser beam to cut through the material quickly and precisely, preventing excess melt from solidifying at the edges and forming burrs. The result is clean, smooth, and virtually burr-free cut surfaces.