Nevatronix Laser cuts brass — the copper-zinc alloy behind decorative trim, nameplates, and electrical contacts — up to 3 mm on a 3 kW fiber source. Brass is one of the two most reflective common metals a shop is asked to cut, and it is a genuine test of a laser: a CO2 machine handles it poorly, while the shorter fiber wavelength couples into it well enough to cut cleanly at the thin gauges brass is actually used in.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloys | C260, C230, C360 (copper-zinc) |
| Thickness range | 0.5 – 3 mm |
| Cut tolerance | ±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) |
| Repeatability | ±0.025 mm |
| Edge quality | ISO 9013 range 2, bright |
| Max sheet size | 1500 × 3000 mm (60 × 120 in) |
| Assist gas | Nitrogen |
How brass behaves under a fiber laser
Brass is difficult for the same two reasons as copper, softened slightly by its zinc content: it is reflective and thermally conductive. A reflective surface bounces most of an incoming beam away rather than absorbing it, and high conductivity pulls heat out of the cut zone before it can do its work. Together those properties are why a CO2 laser, at 10.6 microns, barely cuts brass. A fiber laser emits at 1.06 microns — a wavelength that couples into copper alloys far more efficiently — and with back-reflection protection in the cutting head, brass cuts as a routine thin-gauge material. Our fiber vs CO2 breakdown covers why that wavelength gap decides which metals a laser can reach.
The zinc in brass adds one more consideration. Zinc vaporizes below the temperature at which the alloy melts, so cutting brass releases zinc-oxide fume, much like galvanized steel. Our cells run fume extraction as standard, so it is a controlled cut, not a special-order one. We use nitrogen assist for a clean, bright edge, and cap brass at 3 mm — above that, reflectivity and conductivity dominate and a waterjet or machining is the more honest route.
Applications by industry
Brass is chosen for how it looks and how it conducts. In architectural and signage work it is trim, nameplates, escutcheons, and letter faces where the warm gold tone is the design. In gaming systems it is decorative cabinet accents and detailing. In electronics it is contacts, terminals, and shims where moderate conductivity plus hardness and machinability beat soft copper. In financial technology it appears as decorative hardware plates on premium kiosks. Nearly all of it is thin and cosmetic, which is exactly the range the fiber laser cuts well.
Design tips for brass laser-cut parts
- Keep it thin. Design brass parts at or under 3 mm; thicker brass is a poor laser candidate and better waterjet-cut or machined.
- Name the show face. Brass is usually decorative — note which side is cosmetic so we protect it and orient the nest to the finished surface.
- Mind small features. At ~1 mm minimum hole and fine detail, thin brass holds crisp engraving-style geometry; send the art as vectors.
- Plan for handling marks. Bright brass shows fingerprints and scratches; specify any protective film or post-cut cleaning.
When another process fits better
- Heavy conductors. For busbars and high-current parts, copper conducts better and is the right metal.
- Structural parts. Brass is soft and expensive for load-bearing work; mild steel or stainless is stronger and cheaper.
- Thick brass. Above 3 mm, a waterjet or a mill will give a better result than forcing a reflective cut.
- Economical gold-look trim. If the brass look is not essential, a coated or brushed alternative can hit the aesthetic for less.
Quoting a brass part
Send a DXF or STEP with the alloy, thickness, and quantity to our quote page, and note which face is cosmetic. We confirm the cut is within the 3 mm brass envelope and quote from a single prototype to a production run out of our ISO 9001:2015 shop in Las Vegas.