China sells world’s fastest 60kW laser cutter to anonymous US buyer

China’s hi-tech manufacturing sector has made progress in expanding into international markets, with a Zhejiang-based company exporting an ultra-high-powered laser cutting system to the US.

Laser cutting is a precise and versatile process that uses a concentrated beam to cut, shape, or engrave materials like metal, plastic, or glass. Its benefits—high accuracy, minimal waste, and reduced processing time—make it essential in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, aerospace, and heavy manufacturing.

Cutter slices carbon steel at record speeds

Penta Laser, a joint venture between Chutian Laser Group and an Italian partner, delivered a 60kW laser cutter—reportedly a first for the US structural steel industry—to an unnamed client just ahead of the implementation of new Chinese export controls.

The machine can cut through 20mm-thick carbon steel, roughly two-thirds of an inch, at a speed of 11-12 meters (36-39 feet) per minute, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. It is unclear whether the laser cutter or its associated technology falls under the scope of China’s recent export ban.

The Chinese Journal of Lasers reported on its official WeChat account that the advanced laser cutter departed the company’s factory in Shandong province on November 24, just days before new export controls on lasers came into effect on December 1.

The journal also revealed that the US client is a multinational corporation founded in 1903, recognized for its prominent position in the global steel structure industry.

Penta Laser, headquartered in Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, introduced the world’s first 60kW laser cutter in March 2023, according to its website. The company stated that while a 20kW cutter achieves cutting speeds of approximately 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) per minute, the 60kW system delivers four times that speed with unmatched efficiency and precision.

The 60kW machine features a large cutting area of 3×13 meters, precision of 0.03mm, and automated loading and unloading capabilities. It also supports bevel cutting, making it highly versatile for complex manufacturing tasks.

China gaining ground in fiber laser tech

When the 60kW laser cutter was launched, Penta Laser CEO Wu Rangda explained that laser cutting technology had likely reached its optimal power at 60kW, as this level effectively replaces plasma and flame cutting. 

He noted that increasing the laser’s power beyond this point would offer minimal improvements in efficiency or capability while significantly raising costs and energy consumption for users.

The laser cutting industry, traditionally dominated by US companies like Coherent and IPG Photonics, is experiencing significant shifts as Chinese manufacturers gain ground through advancements in fiber laser technology.

According to the laser journal’s report on its WeChat account, Penta Laser has been broadening its export reach this year into markets such as Britain, Japan, and the Netherlands. The company is a leading laser equipment manufacturer in China, having introduced innovations such as the world’s first 12kW, 15kW, and 20kW laser cutters since 2017.