For creators and fabricators pushing the limits of material thickness, standard CO2 laser cutters often hit a frustrating ceiling around 15-20mm. When projects demand cutting through dense acrylic, thick plywood, specialized engineering foams, or composite materials, a more robust solution is required. Enter the professional flatbed laser cutter—a category where Redsail's CM2435 and CM1625 models stake a strong claim. This review explores how these machines are engineered to not only reach but reliably cut beyond the 20mm threshold.

Built for the Heavy-Duty Task

The first thing that distinguishes the CM2435 (2400mm x 3500mm bed) and CM1625 (1600mm x 2500mm bed) from desktop or smaller format machines is their industrial-grade construction. These are not modified light-duty systems; they are built from the ground up for sustained, high-power operation. A welded steel frame provides critical mass and rigidity, absorbing vibration and ensuring the laser head maintains micron-level precision even at full power and across a large bed area. This stability is the non-negotiable foundation for clean, vertical cuts in thick materials.

The Heart of the Matter: High-Power Laser & Advanced Optics

To penetrate deep materials, sheer power is essential. Both models are typically equipped with high-wattage CO2 laser tubes, with options ranging from 130W up to 300W or more. This concentrated energy is the primary tool for tackling thickness.

However, power alone is not enough. The optical path is equally crucial. These machines feature a professional automatic focusing system, often with a capacitive height sensor. Before each job, the sensor maps the bed surface, and a servo motor automatically adjusts the cutting head to maintain the ideal focal distance across uneven materials or a warped bed. This ensures the laser spot is at its smallest and most powerful point through the entire cut, a factor that becomes critically important when processing materials over 20mm. A collapsed focal point leads to tapered, charred, or incomplete cuts.

Key Features Enabling Deep Cutting Performance

1. Precision Z-Axis & Cutting Head: The motorized Z-axis allows for programmable focus adjustments and can accommodate jigs or non-flat workpieces. The cutting head is designed for efficient airflow, with a high-performance air assist system that uses compressed air to blow molten material from the kerf, reduce flare-ups, and prevent heat buildup—a vital function for deep, clean cuts.
2. Industrial Chiller System: Cutting thick materials generates immense heat in the laser tube. A standalone, high-capacity water chiller is not an optional accessory but a mandatory component. It maintains the laser tube at a precise, low temperature, ensuring stable power output and significantly extending the tube's operational lifespan during demanding, long-duration cuts.
3. Robust Exhaust & Ventilation: Thick material cutting produces more smoke and particulates. These units are paired with powerful external exhaust blowers (often 3HP or more) to rapidly evacuate fumes, keeping the optics clean and providing a safe working environment.
4. Professional Controller & Software: Equipped with DSP or more advanced PC-based controllers, these machines offer granular control over power, speed, and pulse frequency. For deep cutting, the software allows for setting multiple pass strategies with layer-specific power and speed settings. This technique, combined with automatic focus adjustment between passes, is the standard method for achieving perfect edges on ultra-thick stock, minimizing carbonization and heat-affected zones.

CM2435 vs. CM1625: Choosing Your Format

• CM2435: The larger format machine is a production powerhouse. Its 2.4m x 3.5m bed can handle full sheets of many standard materials or multiple smaller parts in a single load. It's ideal for signage companies, architectural model makers, and custom furniture workshops where large-scale, thick material processing is routine.
• CM1625: With a 1.6m x 2.5m bed, this model offers a more accessible footprint while still providing substantial working area and the same deep-cutting capabilities. It is perfectly suited for medium-sized workshops, prototyping labs, and businesses that work with thick materials but may not require processing full oversized sheets.

Applications: Where They Excel

These machines unlock possibilities in:

• Signage & Displays: Cutting thick acrylic for 3D letters and complex displays.
• Architectural Modeling: Precision-cutting dense foam boards and wooden composites for topographical models.
• Furniture & Joinery: Creating intricate joints, decorative panels, and components from thick plywood or MDF.
• Industrial Prototyping: Fabricating parts from technical materials like Delrin, polycarbonate, and specialized foams.
• Gaskets & Seals: Cutting complex shapes from rubber or composite sheets up to significant thicknesses.

Conclusion: Engineering Over Comes Limitations

The Redsail CM2435 and CM1625 are not merely bigger lasers; they are professionally engineered systems that solve the specific physical and thermal challenges of deep material cutting. By combining a stable platform, high power, automatic precision focusing, and mandatory industrial cooling, they transform "cutting beyond 20mm" from a risky experiment into a repeatable, reliable process.

For a workshop where thick materials are a daily reality, investing in a true flatbed laser like these models represents a move from a general-purpose tool to a specialized production asset. They bridge the gap between the capabilities of standard machines and the extreme demands of heavy industrial laser cutters, offering a compelling balance of performance, precision, and value for serious fabricators ready to cut deeper.