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Should You Add a Laser Cutter to Your Sign Shop? Ascent's Dual Gantry CO2 and Fiber Does Both

Dov "Dave" Rom, President and Chief Engineer of Ascent Equipment
By Dov "Dave" Rom, President & Chief Engineer
Published June 24, 2026

Many customers ask: Should I add a laser cutter to my shop — and if so, which type? CO2 for non-metals or fiber for metals?

Ascent Equipment has simplified that decision with the Dual Gantry CO2 and Fiber Laser Cutter — one machine with two independent gantries that can cut acrylic and aluminum simultaneously on a 5' × 10' or 6' × 12' working area.

See it in action

Ascent Dual Gantry CO2 and Fiber Laser Cutter in action
Ascent dual gantry CO2 and fiber laser cutter

What a Laser Cutter Does for a Sign Shop

Adding a laser cutter significantly expands capabilities, productivity, and profitability. Here's what changes:

1. Faster Production

  • Cuts complex shapes automatically from digital files
  • Eliminates many manual cutting and routing operations
  • Reduces labor costs and increases throughput
  • Allows faster turnaround times for customers

2. Higher Precision and Consistency

  • Extremely accurate cuts with repeatable results
  • Perfect for intricate logos, letters, and decorative elements
  • Reduces rework and material waste

3. Expanded Product Offering

A laser cutter allows a shop to produce:

  • Acrylic letters and logos
  • ADA signage
  • Interior architectural signs
  • Decorative wall panels
  • Engraved plaques
  • Awards and trophies
  • Wayfinding signage
  • Personalized gifts and promotional products
  • Stencils and templates

4. Superior Edge Quality

For acrylic, the CO2 laser produces smooth, polished edges with minimal post-processing — professional appearance without flame polishing.

5. Increased Profit Margins

  • Many laser-cut products command premium pricing
  • Profitable for custom and short-run jobs
  • Opens new revenue streams beyond traditional channel letters

6. Material Versatility

CO2 laser cuts: Acrylic, wood, MDF, plywood, paper, cardboard, leather, fabrics, rubber, and many plastics.

Fiber laser cuts: Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper.

7. Improved Customization

  • Easy one-off production with no tooling costs
  • Ideal for personalized signs, awards, and branded products

8. Competitive Advantage

  • Offer services that competitors outsource
  • Faster delivery and better quality control
  • More complete in-house manufacturing capability

CO2 vs. Fiber: Which Do You Need?

ApplicationCO2 LaserFiber Laser
Acrylic CuttingExcellentNot Recommended
Wood / MDFExcellentNo
EngravingExcellentGood on metal
Stainless SteelLimitedExcellent
Aluminum CuttingLimitedExcellent
Sign MakingExcellentExcellent for metal signs
Channel Letter ComponentsGoodExcellent

The Ascent answer: get both in one machine. Two independent gantries — each doing its job simultaneously on the same table.

The Ascent Dual Gantry: What's Included

  • 500W CO2 — cuts acrylic up to 1" thick using compressed air
  • 3000W or 6000W Fiber — aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, copper
  • Each gantry operates independently and simultaneously
  • Working area: 5' × 10' or 6' × 12'
  • Industrial computer with operational and nesting software
  • Autofocus laser head; AU3TECH cutting head and controller
  • DELTA 750W servo motor and drivers
  • 2 water chillers, oil-free air compressor for CO2
  • 380V 3-phase and 220V 1-phase 60Hz

Optional add-ons:

  • Smell/fume collector for the CO2 laser
  • Debris collector for the fiber laser
  • Sliding cover or laser-rated partition enclosure

Housing / Safety Enclosures

Dual gantry laser cutter — two cover options
Two enclosure options for the dual gantry laser cutter
Dual gantry CO2 and fiber laser cutter with laser safety partitions
Laser safety partitions (alternative to full enclosure)

The Recommended Sign Shop Setup

For a modern sign shop, the ideal combination is:

  1. Ascent CNC Channel Letter Bending Machine — for aluminum and stainless side returns
  2. Ascent Dual Gantry CO2 + Fiber Laser Cutter — acrylic, wood, and all metals
  3. Ascent Handheld Fiber Laser Welder or QCW Tabletop Laser Welder — fast, clean welding
  4. CNC Router — for ACM and PVC

This combination allows nearly all sign manufacturing to be done in-house — reducing outsourcing costs while improving quality and turnaround time.

Warranty

  • Machine: 2 years
  • Fiber laser generator: 2 years
  • CO2 laser tubes: 1 year (12,000 hours)

Installation and training are included at your location. Ascent technicians are based in Buffalo, NY, Toronto, ON, and Kentucky.

"The Art of Channel Letters Through Precision Automation" ™

Ascent Equipment ascentequipment.com/dual-gantry-co2-and-fiber-laser-cutter/ Tel: 647-494-7800 Extension 1008 Email: dov@ascentGE.com

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