As has been
seen, laser cutting and punching processes have their respective advantages and
limitations regarding both technical and economic aspects. (See hybrid
machining, Section 27.10.) The advantages of laser cutting are generally (a)
smaller batches, (b) the flexibility of the operation, (c) a wide range of
thicknesses, (d) prototyping capability, (e) materials and composites that
otherwise might be cut with difficulty, and (f) complex geometries that can be
programmed.