GF Machining Solutions CNC Laser Cutting

GF LASER P 400

$250,000 - $500,000 Updated 2025-03-15

Key Specifications

X Travel

600 mm (23.6 in)

Y Travel

400 mm (15.7 in)

Z Travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

Table Size

680 x 400 mm

rotary axes

A -115° to +105° / B 360° (optional)

max workpiece 3axis

600 x 400 x 300 mm

Overview

The GF LASER P 400 is a compact laser texturing and micromachining system from GF Machining Solutions, designed for shops that need precision surface engineering capability in a smaller footprint and at a lower entry point than the full-size LASER P U-series or LASER S 500 U. With 600 x 400 x 300 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 11.8 in) of X/Y/Z travel in 3-axis mode and a 680 x 400 mm table, it's sized for mold inserts, small tooling components, and precision parts that fit within a moderately compact work envelope.

The optional 5-axis configuration adds an A-axis (-115 to +105 degrees tilt) and B-axis (360-degree rotation), but with a significant trade-off: 5-axis workpiece capacity drops to just 120 mm diameter by 120 mm height with a 4 kg (8.8 lb) maximum load. In 3-axis mode, you can handle workpieces up to 50 kg (110 lb) across the full 600 x 400 x 300 mm envelope. This split personality makes the P 400 a versatile tool -- large flat parts in 3-axis, small complex parts in 5-axis.

Laser source options span both nanosecond and ultrashort-pulsed regimes. Nanosecond sources range from 30 to 100 W for faster processing on standard materials. Femtosecond options at 20 W or 40 W (IR or IR-GR dual wavelength) deliver cold ablation for heat-sensitive surfaces where thermal damage would ruin the texture. The ability to configure multi-laser sources -- combining nanosecond and femtosecond on the same machine -- gives you the flexibility to match the pulse regime to each application without dedicated hardware for each.

Spot sizes ranging from 15 to 50 micrometers enable both fine detail engraving and broader texture coverage. The smaller spot sizes produce the highest resolution textures and micro-features, while larger spots increase throughput on less demanding surfaces.

The machine's compact dimensions of 1,227 x 1,659 x 2,379 mm (48.3 x 65.3 x 93.7 in) and 2,400 kg (5,291 lb) weight make it one of the most accessible machines in GF's laser texturing lineup. Floor space requirement is just over 2 square meters. Electrical requirements are 6 kVA on 3-phase 400 VAC, and pneumatic supply at 6 bar / 500 l/min is standard shop air.

New GF LASER P 400 systems typically price between $250,000 and $500,000 depending on laser source configuration. A single nanosecond source at the lower end, dual femtosecond/nanosecond configuration at the upper end. The P 400 competes as GF's most accessible entry point into industrial laser texturing for shops evaluating the technology. Specs sourced from GF Machining Solutions published technical data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	600 mm (23.6 in)
Y-Axis Travel	400 mm (15.7 in)
Z-Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Rotary Axes	A -115° to +105° / B 360° (optional)
Table Size	680 x 400 mm
Max Workpiece 3axis	600 x 400 x 300 mm
Max Workpiece 5axis	Diameter 120 x 120 mm height
Max Load 3axis	50 kg (110 lb)
Max Load 5axis	4 kg (8.8 lb)
Laser Nano	Nanosecond, 30 to 100 W
Laser Femto	Femtosecond, 20 W or 40 W IR/GR
Spot Sizes	15 to 50 um
Machine Dimensions	1,227 x 1,659 x 2,379 mm (48.3 x 65.3 x 93.7 in)
Machine Weight	2400 kg
Floor Space	2.04 mq
Electrical	3 x 400 VAC + ground; 6 kVA
Pneumatic	6 bar; 500 l/min
Dimension Of Complete Equipment	1227 x 1659 x 2379 mm
Maximum Workpiece Dimensions 3ax 5ax	600 x 400 x 300 / Ø 120 x h 120 mm
Maximum Workpiece Weight 3ax 5ax	50/4 kg
Travel X Y Z	600 x 400 x 300 mm
Rotary 4 5 Axis	A 115°-105°/B 360° mm
Laser Sources	Multi-Laser sources: nanosecond and/or ultrashort pulsed laser **
Power Consumption	Electrical: 3 x 400 Vac + ground; 6 kVA Pneumatic: 6 bars 500 l/min

Specifications sourced from gfms.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Most compact and affordable entry point in GF's industrial laser texturing lineup -- just over 2 square meters of floor space and starting around $250K
Multi-laser configuration option combining nanosecond and femtosecond sources on one machine provides pulse regime flexibility without dedicated hardware for each
50 kg workpiece capacity in 3-axis mode handles a wide range of mold inserts and tooling components at a fraction of the cost of the larger LASER P U-series
Spot sizes from 15 to 50 micrometers enable both ultra-fine micro-engraving and faster broad-area texturing on the same platform
6 kVA electrical and standard shop air requirements make installation straightforward without facility upgrades
Dual-mode operation -- large flat parts in 3-axis, small complex parts in 5-axis -- provides application versatility uncommon at this price point

Limitations

5-axis mode is severely limited to 120 mm diameter by 120 mm height and just 4 kg -- complex 3D parts beyond these dimensions require the larger LASER S 500 U or LASER P U-series
300 mm Z-travel is the shortest in GF's laser texturing lineup, limiting access to deeper workpiece geometries like tall mold cores
Still a $250K+ investment for what amounts to a surface modification tool -- shops with occasional texturing needs may find outsourcing more economical
Smaller work envelope and lower automation potential compared to LASER P U-series machines limits throughput for high-volume texturing operations
Specialized application with very small global install base means finding experienced operators and peer support is more difficult than for conventional CNC platforms

Best For

Mold shops evaluating laser texturing technology that want an accessible entry point before committing to larger LASER S or LASER P U-series platforms Small to medium mold and die operations texturing individual inserts and small tooling components that fit within the 600 x 400 mm work envelope Watch, jewelry, and luxury goods manufacturers requiring precision micro-engraving and surface texturing on small parts in 5-axis mode Medical device companies creating micro-scale surface patterns on small implant mold components and surgical instrument tooling R&D labs and universities researching laser-material interaction and functional surface engineering with both femtosecond and nanosecond capabilities Contract texturing operations adding a compact, versatile platform to complement larger laser texturing machines for smaller-part overflow work

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new GF LASER P 400 cost?

New LASER P 400 systems typically price between $250,000 and $500,000. A basic single nanosecond laser configuration starts near the lower end. Adding femtosecond capability, dual laser sources, and the optional 5-axis rotary table pushes toward the upper range. It's the most affordable entry point in GF's industrial laser texturing lineup, but still a significant investment. Used machines are rarely available.

02 What's the difference between the LASER P 400 and LASER S 500 U?

The LASER S 500 U is a purpose-built 5-axis machine with integrated rotary axes, 15 kg 5-axis workpiece capacity, and GF's Flexipulse laser technology. The LASER P 400 is more compact and affordable, but its optional 5-axis mode is limited to just 4 kg and 120 mm diameter parts. If you primarily need 5-axis texturing on complex 3D parts, the S 500 U is the better choice. If most of your work is 3-axis texturing on flat or shallow parts with occasional small 5-axis jobs, the P 400 saves significant capital.

03 Can the LASER P 400 handle mold texturing for automotive interiors?

Yes, within its work envelope limitations. Individual mold inserts for automotive interior components like switch panels, trim pieces, and small dashboard sections fit comfortably in the 600 x 400 mm 3-axis envelope at up to 50 kg. Large mold halves for full instrument panels or door panels won't fit -- those require the LASER P 1000 U or P 1200 U. Many shops start with the P 400 for insert-level work and scale up as texturing demand grows.

04 Do I need both nanosecond and femtosecond laser sources?

It depends on your materials and quality requirements. Nanosecond lasers are faster and more cost-effective for texturing standard tool steels and aluminum mold tooling. Femtosecond lasers are essential for heat-sensitive materials, hardened steels above 60 HRC, and applications requiring zero thermal damage to the surface. If you primarily texture standard P20 and H13 mold steel, a nanosecond source may be sufficient. If you work with hardened or sensitive materials, the femtosecond option is worth the premium.

05 How does the LASER P 400 compare to dedicated laser marking machines?

Laser marking machines are designed for 2D marking and engraving on flat or gently curved surfaces -- part numbers, logos, barcodes. The LASER P 400 is an industrial texturing platform designed for 3D surface modification with controlled depth, pattern consistency, and the ability to create functional surface structures. The LASER P 400 produces textures with controlled depth profiles across complex geometry, something marking machines can't do. They serve fundamentally different applications despite both using lasers.

06 What software does the LASER P 400 use?

The machine runs GF's proprietary SPOT software for texture design, 3D surface mapping, scan path generation, and machine control. SPOT integrates with GF's digital texture library for importing standard and custom texture patterns, mapping them onto 3D CAD surfaces, and generating optimized laser toolpaths. The software handles both the creative design side and the machine execution side in a single platform.