Selecting the correct laser source is the most critical decision. Fiber lasers are the industry standard for metal cutting (carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum) due to their high photoelectric conversion efficiency and low maintenance. For non-metallic materials like wood or acrylic, CO2 lasers are preferred. You must match the wattage (e.g., 1kW to 30kW) to your maximum material thickness; for instance, a 3kW fiber laser is typically optimal for cutting up to 20mm carbon steel with high precision.