Laser cutting refers to a cutting process with which metallic and non-metallic materials of different material thicknesses can be cut.

The basis for this is a laser beam that is guided, shaped and bundled. When it hits the workpiece, the material heats up so much that it melts or evaporates. The entire laser power is concentrated on a point that is usually less than half a millimeter in diameter. If more heat is coupled in at this point than can be dissipated by heat conduction, the laser beam penetrates the material completely – the cutting process has begun. While in other processes massive tools act on the sheet metal with enormous forces, the laser beam does its work without contact. This means that the tool itself does not wear out, nor does it cause deformation or damage to the workpiece.