Laser cutting is a technique that involves vaporizing materials with a laser to create a cut edge. It was originally designed for industrial production purposes. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser through optics, which is the most frequent method. The laser beam created is directed using laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control). The material is targeted by a focused laser beam, which melts, burns, vaporizes, or is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high-quality finish.

Laser cutting uses three different types of lasers. The CO2 laser can be employed for cutting, drilling, and engraving. The only difference between the neodymium (Nd) and neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd: YAG) lasers is their application. Nd is utilized for boring and when a lot of energy but not a lot of repetition is needed. When very high power is required, as well as for drilling and engraving, the Nd: YAG laser is used.

Moving material, hybrid, and flying optics systems are the three most common configurations of industrial laser cutting equipment. The manner the laser beam is moved across the material to be cut or treated is referred to as this. The axes of motion for all of them are usually referred to as the X and Y axis. The Z-axis is designated if the cutting head may be controlled.

The maximum cutting rate (production rate) is limited by a number of factors including laser power, material thickness, process type (reactive or inert), and material properties. For many purposes, a laser can be up to thirty times faster than standard sawing.