Salvagnini L5

$500,000 - $900,000 (estimated) Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

laser type

Fiber laser (IPG)

laser power

6 kW / 10 kW options

cutting head

Single optical head, full thickness range

drive system

Compass parallel kinematics

acceleration

Up to 5g on short movements

max cutting speed

Up to 50 m/min (2,000 ipm) on thin materials

Overview

The Salvagnini L5 is a high-performance fiber laser cutting system engineered for maximum speed on thin and medium-thickness sheet metal. Built around Salvagnini's patented compass kinematics, the L5 moves the cutting head on the XY plane with accelerations reaching 5g on short movements, which makes it exceptionally fast on parts with dense hole patterns, tight contours, and complex geometries. If your production mix is dominated by 16-gauge through 3/8-inch material in steel, stainless, and aluminum, the L5 will outrun most gantry-style laser cutters on cycle time.

The compass drive system is the L5's defining engineering feature. Unlike conventional gantry machines that move a heavy bridge structure across the work table, the compass uses a lightweight parallel kinematic mechanism that keeps mass low and stiffness high. The result is 5g acceleration on direction changes, which translates to up to 30% faster cycle times on hole-intensive parts compared to standard linear-drive lasers. Salvagnini offers the L5 with fiber laser sources from 6 kW to 10 kW (IPG), and a single optical cutting head handles the full range of workable thicknesses without manual head changes.

The L5 is available in two table configurations: 60x120 (1,524 x 3,048 mm) and 60x160 (1,524 x 4,064 mm). Maximum material thickness capacity reaches 25 mm (1 inch) in mild steel, 30 mm (1.18 in) in stainless, and 30 mm (1.18 in) in aluminum. With the ACUT compressed air cutting option, the L5 can cut mild steel and stainless up to 20 mm using compressed air instead of nitrogen or oxygen, dramatically reducing operating gas costs for shops cutting medium thicknesses.

The L5 competes with the Trumpf TruLaser 5030, Mazak Optiplex 3015, Amada ENSIS-3015, and Bystronic ByStar Fiber in the high-performance fiber laser segment. The compass kinematics give it a speed advantage on thin materials and complex contours, while competitors may offer advantages on thick plate cutting. Salvagnini's integration capabilities are a differentiator: the L5 can be connected to automated loading/unloading systems, Salvagnini's OPS process software, and downstream panel bending or punching systems for a fully automated sheet metal production line.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Laser Type	Fiber laser (IPG)
Laser Power	6 kW / 10 kW options
Cutting Head	Single optical head, full thickness range
Drive System	Compass parallel kinematics
Acceleration	Up to 5g on short movements
Max Cutting Speed	Up to 50 m/min (2,000 ipm) on thin materials
Table Sizes	60x120 (1,524 x 3,048 mm) or 60x160 (1,524 x 4,064 mm)
Max Thickness Steel	25 mm (1 in)
Max Thickness Stainless	30 mm (1.18 in)
Max Thickness Aluminum	30 mm (1.18 in)
Max Thickness Copper	10 mm (0.394 in)
Max Thickness Brass	10 mm (0.394 in)
Min Thickness	0.5 mm (0.020 in)
Power Consumption Max	42 kW
Power Consumption Avg	24 kW
Acut Option	Compressed air cutting up to 20 mm (steel/stainless)
Software	Salvagnini OPS / STREAMLASER
CNC Control	Salvagnini proprietary
Models	L5-30
Xy Working Range	3048 x 1524
Z Axis Stroke	100
Maximum Xy Speed	156
Position Accuracy Pa	0.08
Average Position Range Ps	0.03
Fiber Sources	2000W
Steel	15
Stainless Steel	10
Aluminum	8
Copper	5
Brass	5
Minimum Thickness	0.5
Maximum Absorbed Power 3	16
Average Absorbed Power 4	11

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Compass parallel kinematics achieve 5g acceleration, delivering up to 30% faster cycle times on hole-intensive and complex contour parts
Single optical cutting head covers the full thickness range without manual head changes, eliminating setup time
ACUT compressed air cutting option dramatically reduces assist gas costs on steel and stainless up to 20 mm
6 kW and 10 kW laser source options cover the full spectrum from high-speed thin material to thick plate capability
Average power consumption of only 24 kW is competitive for a high-performance laser cutting system
Direct integration with Salvagnini panel benders, punching machines, and OPS software for automated production lines
Two table sizes (60x120 and 60x160) accommodate standard and large-format sheet metal

Limitations

Compass kinematics advantage diminishes on very thick plate (above 12 mm) where cutting speed is laser-power-limited, not acceleration-limited
Salvagnini's service network is smaller than Trumpf or Amada in North America, which can affect response times
Premium pricing compared to entry-level fiber lasers from Asian manufacturers
Proprietary control and software ecosystem limits compatibility with third-party nesting and programming tools
Best return on investment requires high utilization and integration with Salvagnini automation, which increases total system cost

Best For

Sheet metal shops running high volumes of thin to medium-thickness parts with complex geometries and dense hole patterns HVAC, enclosure, and electrical panel manufacturers cutting 16-gauge through 10-gauge steel and aluminum Shops seeking to integrate laser cutting with downstream Salvagnini panel bending or punching in a connected production line Contract manufacturers looking to reduce cycle times on thin material parts where acceleration matters more than raw laser power Facilities wanting to reduce operating costs through ACUT compressed air cutting instead of nitrogen assist gas High-mix production environments where single-head flexibility eliminates setup time between material thicknesses

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What makes the Salvagnini L5 different from gantry-style laser cutters?

The L5 uses compass parallel kinematics instead of a conventional gantry bridge. The compass mechanism moves the cutting head with much less mass, enabling 5g acceleration on direction changes versus 2-3g on typical gantry machines. This translates to significantly faster cycle times on parts with many holes, tight radii, and complex contours.

02 What is ACUT compressed air cutting?

ACUT is Salvagnini's option for cutting mild steel and stainless steel up to 20 mm thickness using compressed air instead of nitrogen or oxygen assist gas. This dramatically reduces operating gas costs, which are a major expense in laser cutting operations. Cut edge quality is suitable for most applications, though nitrogen cutting still produces a cleaner edge on stainless.

03 How does the L5 compare to the Trumpf TruLaser 5030?

Both are high-performance fiber laser cutting systems. The L5's compass kinematics give it a speed advantage on thin materials and complex contours due to higher acceleration. The TruLaser 5030 may offer advantages on thick plate cutting and has a larger service network. Trumpf also offers higher laser power options. Choose based on your material mix and service availability.

04 Can the L5 be automated?

Yes. Salvagnini offers fully integrated automation including automated sheet loading/unloading, part sorting, and connection to downstream machines like panel benders and punching systems through the OPS process software. The L5 is designed as a component in a connected production line, not just a standalone machine.