What Can a 40W CO₂ Laser Tube Cut?

When people see a “40W CO₂ laser tube,” the first thing they ask is: what can it really cut? and how thick?

The short answer: it’s not super powerful, but it still does a lot for hobby, crafts, and small machines.

What it cuts pretty well

Wood / Plywood: around 3–6 mm. Thicker wood burns easy, so slower speed or more passes.

Acrylic: up to 3–5 mm. Nice clean edge if focus is good.

MDF / Fiberboard: about 3 mm, but edges darken.

Leather, fabric, cardboard: cuts clean, good for patterns.

Some plastics: works, but test first. Some melt or smell bad.

Metal: nope, 40W is not enough. Only marks coated surface.

Why results are not the same for everyone

Even two 40W tubes don’t always cut the same.

Optics dirty or misaligned? You lose power.

Lens focus wrong? Edge looks bad.

No air assist? You get burn marks.

Speed too fast or too slow? Bad cut either way.

Material color and density change things too.

So all those “cutting tables” you see online… just take as reference. Best way is test on your own setup.

Puri Laser’s take on 40W tubes

We’ve been making CO₂ laser tubes since 2009. In the 40–80W range, we focus on:

Strong gas seal and electrode setup for long life.

Stable beam so you get smooth cuts.

Every tube tested before shipping.

Our OEM partners use Puri 40W CO₂ tubes in their small machines for wood, acrylic, and leather. They like the steady output and lifespan.

Tips to get better results

Test small before big job.

Always use air assist.

Do 2–3 passes if material too thick.

Clean your lens and mirrors often.

Use right focus lens for your work.

Final thought

A 40W CO₂ laser tube won’t cut metal or thick boards, but for light cutting and engraving, it’s reliable and affordable. Perfect for thin wood, acrylic, leather, paper projects.