When is a hybrid CO2 cutter a good choice for my workshop?

Our hybrid CO2 cutter suits workshops focused on acrylic, wood and other approved nonmetals, with occasional qualified thin-steel jobs. If metal production dominates your schedule, compare a fiber cutter on the same parts. Include changeover time, edge quality and your actual mix of work in the decision.

What does the hybrid cutter need for metal cutting?

Metal cutting requires a dedicated head, height-following control and regulated assist gas. We specify the head, nozzle, gas arrangement and control functions for your steel grades in the quotation. Use a complete metal-cutting demonstration to approve the process, including setup and the finished edge.

Can I use the same settings for acrylic and stainless steel?

No. Acrylic and steel need separate process setups. We confirm the head or setting changes, gas and focus arrangement for your material mix. Test both materials during commissioning and keep an agreed changeover procedure so your operators can repeat each approved process.

Which hybrid working area should I choose: 1490, 1610 or 1325?

Choose around your stock and nested parts: 1490 is 1400 × 900 mm, 1610 is 1600 × 1000 mm, and 1325 is 1300 × 2500 mm. Send us your layout with fixtures and margins so we can check usable reach with the selected head arrangement.

What determines thin-steel cutting capacity on the hybrid CO2 machine?

Steel grade, thickness, cutting head, assist gas and edge requirements determine the workable range, together with tube power. We assess the 300 W or 500 W configuration for your actual steel job. Send us the material specification and drawing so the quoted setup can be checked against your required finish.

Can I run the complete hybrid workflow in LightBurn?

The complete metal workflow needs software support for height control and gas functions as well as job transfer. This configuration uses Ruida RDC6332M; we confirm MetalCut or another supplied package in your quotation. Before choosing LightBurn, check both processes in a demonstration using your production files.

1490 / 1610 / 1325 Hybrid CO2 Metal and Nonmetal Cutter

CO2 Laser Cutting & Engraving Machines

Select this mixed-cutting CO2 family when approved nonmetal work is the main workload and thin steel cutting is also needed. A dedicated metal head, height control and regulated assist gas are required for the metal process.

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Application and model selection

The mixed-cutting brochure lists 1400 × 900, 1600 × 1000 and 1300 × 2500 mm formats. Specify head arrangement and how the operator changes between metal and nonmetal jobs. Higher tube power alone does not turn a standard nonmetal engraving head into a metal-cutting system.

Configuration and specifications

Parameter	Product configuration
Model / format	1490 / 1610 / 1325 hybrid
Nominal working area	1400 × 900 / 1600 × 1000 / 1300 × 2500 mm
Laser power options	150 / 180 / 200 / 300 / 500 W
Laser source	Water-cooled sealed CO2 glass tube
Nominal wavelength	10.6 µm
Controller / software	Ruida RDC6332M
Process gas	Material-specific regulated assist gas
Worktable	Knife-blade bed
Cooling	Industrial water chiller matched to source power

The values below identify this product and its listed options. The selected source, optics, controller, accessories and site utilities must be named in the quotation. Motion speed and positioning figures do not establish finished-part tolerance or production throughput.

Materials and process limits

A dedicated height-following head and assist-gas system add qualified thin carbon-steel and stainless-steel cutting to CO2 processing of acrylic, wood, MDF and other approved nonmetals. Metal and nonmetal jobs require different setups. This is a mixed-material workshop option; regular thick or high-volume metal production should be compared with a fiber laser.

Identify the exact material, coating and adhesive before testing. Do not laser-process PVC, vinyl, PTFE, other halogen-containing materials or unidentified composites. Use material-specific extraction and continuous supervision during cutting.

Production workflow

Use the supplied Ruida mixed-cutting workflow, including the configured height and gas functions. Confirm whether MetalCut or another named software package is supplied. Standard LightBurn support for a controller does not prove support for the complete metal-cutting workflow. Gas choice, nozzle, focus, cooling and extraction must be validated with the actual material.

Options to specify

Choose honeycomb support for thin flexible material or knife blades for rigid sheets. A motorized Z table and rotary fixture must provide enough clearance for the actual part. Tube power, focal length, cooling, air assist and extraction should be selected together. Current LightBurn releases support Windows and macOS; Linux requires an older supported release.

Plan suitable guarding, interlocks, emergency stops, extraction and operator training for the supplied laser system. The finished machine classification must be verified; an enclosure alone is not proof of Class 1 compliance. Follow the supplied operating and maintenance instructions.

Sample test and acceptance

Approve a representative sample and the written configuration before ordering. Record the material, source, settings, lens or nozzle, fixture, appearance, dimensions and complete cycle time. Keep those results as the production acceptance reference.

Cutting thickness and speed

Use your actual material and drawing to agree the thickness, edge finish, kerf and cycle time. Tube rating alone is insufficient: density, resin, moisture, focus, air assist and acceptable charring all affect the result. A maximum separation cut is different from repeatable production cutting.

Installation, service and documentation

Ask Vank Laser to include the machine layout, electrical requirements, supplied software, operating instructions, maintenance schedule and recommended spare parts in the technical proposal. Agree commissioning, operator training, support language, warranty coverage and service responsibilities before shipment. Request conformity documents for the actual machine and destination.

Request a sample test and quotation

Provide material composition, sheet size, thickness range, artwork, required edge or engraving finish and parts per shift.

Send the destination country, installation voltage and required delivery scope with your inquiry. Ask for sample photos or video, measured results and a configuration-specific quotation.

Request a sample test and configuration quote