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A CNC fiber laser cuts finished metal parts with clean edges and fine detail, straight from a drawing. This guide covers how the machines work, what size you need, what a complete setup really costs, what your shop needs before delivery, and which features matter. It's written for first-time laser buyers, from fab shops tired of outsourcing to plasma owners ready to add a laser.
A CNC fiber laser is a computer-controlled machine that focuses a high-power laser beam on sheet metal and moves it along a digital drawing to cut finished parts. Six pieces work together:
A fiber laser source turns electricity into a high-power beam and sends it through a flexible fiber cable to the cutting head. Every Apollo uses a 1.5kW Max Photonics source.
Lenses in the head focus the beam to a small spot on the sheet. A manual focus head is set by hand for each material; an AutoFocus head sets focus automatically, which saves time when you switch materials often.
Gas flows through the nozzle with the beam and blows molten metal out of the cut. Oxygen cuts thicker carbon steel faster; nitrogen or clean, dry compressed air leaves bright edges on stainless, aluminum, and thin steel.
Servo motors move the head over the sheet with ±0.002" per 12" positioning accuracy. The enclosure contains the beam, sparks, and fumes, and door interlocks stop the laser from firing when a door is open.
The laser source and cutting head make heat. A water chiller, the S&A CWFL-1500 on every Apollo, keeps them at a steady temperature so the laser cuts consistently.
Draw parts in CAD and export a DXF. LaserCAM brings the file to the machine by USB, shared drive, or network, and LaserControl runs the cut. If you've used FireControl on a CrossFire, the workflow will feel familiar.
The right Apollo depends on the stock you buy, the largest part you make, the floor space you can give the machine, and how it reaches your shop.
Steel is commonly sold in 4' x 8' sheets. If you buy full sheets, the Apollo 8 takes them without trimming. If you buy offcuts and smaller sheets, the Apollo 4 cuts the same parts for less.
The Apollo 4 cuts a 48" x 48" area, and its pass-through lets longer stock extend out the front or back so you can cut it one 48" section at a time. If you regularly cut parts longer than 48", choose the Apollo 8.
The Apollo 4 needs a 75" x 75" footprint and stands 60" tall. The Apollo 8 is 74" W x 77" H x 122" L. Leave room to load sheets, open the doors, and place the chiller, gas supply, and exhaust duct.
The Apollo 4 ships LTL freight as a kit, with liftgate service available, and takes about 20–40 hours to assemble. The Apollo 8 ships by flatbed, mostly assembled, and needs a forklift rated for 3,000 lb.
The machine is the biggest line, but not the only one. Here's everything to budget for, then price both Apollos below.
Apollo 4 packages are $11,995 (Well Equipped), $14,495 (Advanced), and $17,495 (PRO). Apollo 8 packages are $22,995 (Well Equipped), $24,995 (Advanced), and $25,995 (PRO). Higher packages bundle items like a touchscreen PC, camera system, gas kit, and AutoFocus head for less than buying them separately.
Apollo 8 flatbed shipping starts at $2,000. Apollo 4 freight is quoted for your location. Local pickup in Conroe, Texas is available for both.
Buy nitrogen and oxygen in cylinders from a local gas supplier, or run clean, dry compressed air. Langmuir offers the Ozen 4Td compressor with an integrated dryer for $12,700, and a $399 gas/chiller hook-up kit with regulators, a flashback arrestor, and 100' of tubing.
Every Apollo needs two dedicated 240V single-phase circuits. Get an electrician's quote for your panel and the run to the machine before you order.
Cutting makes smoke and metal fumes. Plan a duct or fume extractor for the 6" (Apollo 4) or 10" (Apollo 8) exhaust port. Fume extraction adapter kits are available for both.
Nozzles and protective lenses wear with use. The $79 laser head consumables kit includes seven nozzle types and three protective lenses. Keep a spare set on hand.
A fiber laser needs more shop prep than a plasma table. Check each item so your Apollo is cutting the day it's set up.
Apollo fiber lasers don't run on 120V. You need two dedicated 240V single-phase circuits: 25A for the laser and 20A for the chiller.
Set up nitrogen and oxygen cylinders with regulators, or a compressor that delivers clean, dry air. Oil and water in the air line damage the cutting head's optics, so filter and dry it.
The chiller needs floor space and its own circuit next to the machine. Keep the shop within the laser source's operating range of 50–104°F, and never let the chiller water freeze.
Laser cutting makes smoke and fine metal fumes. Duct the exhaust port outside or to a fume extractor, and never cut galvanized or coated steel without proper fume extraction.
The Apollo enclosure is not optically sealed or FDA approved. Everyone near the machine must wear laser-rated eye protection while it runs. Laser safety glass doors are available.
Place the machine on a level concrete floor away from flammable materials. Have the right equipment ready on delivery day: a forklift rated for 3,000 lb for the Apollo 8, or liftgate service or a 1,000 lb forklift for the Apollo 4.
Spec sheets list dozens of features. These six have the biggest effect on your parts, your safety, and your time.
An enclosed machine contains sparks and fumes and keeps hands away from the beam. Door interlocks stop the laser from firing when a door is open.
A manual focus head works well if you cut a few materials. An AutoFocus head sets focus for you, which saves time and scrap when you change materials often. It's included in the Apollo 8 Advanced and PRO and the Apollo 4 PRO packages.
A stable chiller means consistent cuts. The Pro-Series S&A CWFL-1500 adds upgraded components, better filtration, larger heat exchangers, a low-water alarm, and a pressure gauge.
Fast rapids cut cycle time on parts with many features. The Apollo 8's full servo drive moves at up to 1,350 IPM between cuts; the Apollo 4 moves at up to 400 IPM.
LaserControl and LaserCAM are Langmuir Systems' own software, built for the Apollo and included with the machine.
You'll have questions. Our team in Conroe, Texas supports every Apollo by phone and email, and the Langmuir forum has more than 5,000 owners.
All three cut parts from a drawing. The right one depends on your material, thickness, budget, and the edge finish you need.
Faster and more precise on thin-to-medium sheet metal, with clean edges and fine detail that need little cleanup. A fit for shops that sell finished parts.
The lowest cost way to cut steel, stainless and aluminum from thin gauge up to an inch thick. Best for brackets, signs, fabrication parts, and anything that will be welded or finished.
Built for wood, plastics, and soft metals. A waterjet can machine aluminum, but it isn't an economical way to cut steel plate.
With your shop prepared, you can cut a first part soon after setup. Here's what that first week usually looks like.
The Apollo 8 arrives mostly assembled; mounting the upper enclosure takes about 1–2 hours. The Apollo 4 is a kit; plan 20–40 hours, so give it a few days.
Fill and connect the chiller, hook up power, gas, and exhaust, and check the door interlocks before you fire the laser.
Load a simple DXF with LaserCAM and cut thin mild steel first. Starting with a proven file separates machine setup from design problems.
Set focus, gas pressure, and speed for the materials you cut most, and write down what works. When you get stuck, the Langmuir forum and support team have seen it before.
Answer these before you order and you'll buy the right machine the first time.
List your materials and the thickest piece you cut every week. That tells you whether a laser, plasma, or both fit your work.
That decides between the 4' x 4' Apollo 4 and the 4' x 8' Apollo 8.
Confirm two 240V circuits, a gas or clean-air supply, and a path to vent fumes.
Check liftgate access or forklift capacity, and the door and floor space to get the machine into place.
Add freight, gas or a compressor, electrical work, fume extraction, and consumables, not just the machine.
Spreading the cost can let you buy the machine that fits your work now instead of upgrading later.
A CNC fiber laser is a computer-controlled machine that focuses a high-power laser beam on sheet metal and moves it along a digital drawing to cut finished parts. It combines a fiber laser source, cutting head, chiller, assist gas, and software that turns your design into cutting paths.
Apollo fiber lasers start at $11,995 for the Apollo 4 Well Equipped package, and the full-sheet Apollo 8 ranges from $22,995 (Well Equipped) to $25,995 (PRO). Add freight, an assist gas supply or compressor, electrical work, and fume extraction. Use the cost section of this guide to price your setup.
If you outsource laser cutting regularly or sell parts where edge quality matters, often yes. Bringing cutting in-house shortens lead times and lets you make parts on demand. Fiber lasers also need less maintenance and cost less to run day to day than CO2 lasers.
The Apollo 4 fits a 75" x 75" footprint, so it can work in a large garage or small shop. You'll also need two dedicated 240V circuits, an assist gas supply, a way to vent fumes, a level concrete floor, and laser-rated eye protection.
Two dedicated 240V circuits, nitrogen and oxygen cylinders or a compressor with clean, dry air, a gas hook-up kit, fume extraction, laser-rated eye protection, spare nozzles and protective lenses, and CAD software to draw your parts.
If you can draw a part in CAD and export a DXF, you can cut it. LaserControl will feel familiar if you've used FireControl. Expect to spend your first week dialing in focus, gas pressure, and speed for your materials, with help from our support team and forum.
Choose a fiber laser for clean edges and fine detail on sheet up to about 1/2" carbon steel. Choose plasma for thicker plate and a lower price. Many shops run both. Compare them in Apollo 8 vs CrossFire XR and Apollo 4 vs CrossFire PRO MAX.
Compare both Apollos side by side, see how laser stacks up against plasma, or ask our team what fits your shop.