In short: Cost per machine hour is electricity + assist gas + consumables + labour + maintenance + depreciation. Every input can be measured or quoted, so calculate it with your own prices rather than relying on a brochure figure — our calculator shows every formula.
The six cost components
| Component | Formula (per hour) | Where the input comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | machine power draw (kW) × electricity price | Supplier: power draw while cutting; your tariff |
| Assist gas | gas consumption (m³/h) × gas price | Supplier gas table for your nozzle and pressure; your gas contract |
| Consumables | nozzles, protective windows, ceramics per hour | Supplier consumption estimate; your own records later |
| Labour | operators × hourly labour cost | Your payroll |
| Maintenance | annual maintenance ÷ cutting hours per year | Service contract or supplier estimate |
| Depreciation | investment ÷ (years × cutting hours per year) | Your quotation and accounting policy |
From cost per hour to cost per part and cost per metre
Parts per hour = cutting speed (m/min) × 60 × beam-on share ÷ cut length per part (m). Cost per part = cost per machine hour ÷ parts per hour. Cost per metre of cut = cost per machine hour ÷ (cutting speed × 60 × beam-on share). This is why speed and automation matter as much as hourly cost: a faster, busier machine spreads the same hourly cost over more parts.
Total cost of ownership
Over the machine's life, add the purchase price, installation, financing and the running cost per hour × hours per year × years, then subtract resale value. Compare machines on this total, not on the purchase price alone.
Published benchmarks
One 2026 Australian buying guide estimates annual running costs of USD 30,000–60,000 for single-shift operation of a mid-range machine (source 1). Treat this as a sense check only; your gas, power and labour prices decide the real number.
The levers you control
- Gas choice and pressure — see chapter 2.
- Beam-on time — automation and good nesting raise it; see chapter 5.
- Labour per machine — one operator supervising an automated cell instead of handling sheets.
Open the cost & payback calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest running cost of a fiber laser?
It depends on your prices, shifts and gas choice, so there is no universal answer. Calculate each of the six components with your own inputs; the result also shows which lever is worth working on first.
How do I find the machine's power draw?
Ask the supplier for the electrical input of the whole system while cutting at your typical power, not the laser's optical output.
How do I calculate payback?
Monthly margin = (machine-hour rate you charge − operating cost per hour) × annual hours ÷ 12. Payback in months = investment ÷ monthly margin.
Sources
- Fiber laser cutting machine prices and running costs, Australia 2026 — annual running-cost estimate for single-shift operation — img0.hospitalityhub.com.au (accessed 2026-10-20)