Laser Cutting Terminology Explained

Updated On: 9/16/2026

When you’re engaging with laser cutting professionals or independently researching laser cutting services, you will encounter some industry-specific terms. To help you understand them, we’ve defined, below, nine of the most common.

Key Takeaways: Laser Cutting Lingo Defined

Laser cutting terminology helps clarify how engraving, cutting, and material interaction behave during precision manufacturing.
Raster engraving and resolution define image clarity and depth, while vector cutting relies on controlled line paths for accurate outlines.
Frequency, power, and speed influence cut depth, edge quality, and overall process efficiency across different materials.
Material vaporization, melt shearing, and energy transfer describe how heat interacts with metal during separation, shaping, or engraving.

1. Raster Engraving: Also called laser etching or laser engraving, this is a procedure in which the laser scans left and right to mark and define the intended depth or thickness of the metal being engraved. You may hear this term in reference to creating and carving images or texts.
2. Resolution: “Resolution” is a term used with raster engraving. It refers to the position and density of the pulses per inches, shown or calculated in dots per inches. Lower resolution equals faster cutting, while higher resolution results in crisper and more detailed cuttings or carvings.
3. Vector Cutting: Vector cutting is a specific laser cutting process in which the laser technician creates vector lines to outline the area to be cut.
4. Frequency: Mostly used in vector cutting, “frequency” counts the number of pulses discharged per second. You can also think of it as how frequently the laser beam applies heat pulses to the material. The higher the frequency, the deeper the cut.
5. Melt Shearing: In this laser cutting process, material is separated by melting, and later extruded by a high-power air jet.
6. Energy Transfer: This term refers to the energy transfer that powers all laser cutting services. First, energy is transferred on the surface of the material by the laser beam. Then, this transfer of energy allows the material to be melted, cut or vaporized.
7. Power: In this context, “power” refers to the rate of energy carried by the laser beam. The higher the rate of power, the deeper the cuts, and vise versa.
8. Material Vaporization: This is a stage in the laser cutting process in which metal is vaporized as a result of heat transfer. Simultaneously, the process releases sometimes highly flammable, which must be controlled.
9. Speed: This term references the speed at which the laser head or the nozzle rotates or moves. The head’s speed is usually displayed in units like meters or millimeters per second. Low speed makes deeper cuts and high speed makes more slight cuts.

Work With Experts Who Understand Every Stage of the Laser Cutting Process

Laser cutting relies on precise control of energy, motion, and material behavior, and understanding these terms helps you evaluate capabilities with confidence. If you need guidance on selecting the right process for your application, contact Great Lakes Engineering to discuss your project with a team that specializes in advanced stencil and thin‑metal manufacturing.