ASM provides routing, cutting and engraving services on Metal and Non-Metal Materials.

Laser cutting is a hot cutting process used to cut materials like metal or sheet metal. Laser cutter service providers generally employ a carbon dioxide laser to perform the low-distortion hot cutting. The “cut” of a laser is actually an energy transfer that causes the material to melt or burn along a line.

Laser engraving is the practice of using lasers to engrave an object. Laser marking, on the other hand, is a broader category of methods to leave marks on an object, which also includes color change due to chemical/molecular alteration, charring, foaming, melting, ablation, and more. The technique does not involve the use of inks, nor does it involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface and wear out, giving it an advantage over alternative engraving or marking technologies where inks or bit heads have to be replaced regularly.

The impact of laser marking has been more pronounced for specially designed "laserable" materials and also for some paints. These include laser-sensitive polymers and novel metal alloys.

The term laser marking is also used as a generic term covering a broad spectrum of surfacing techniques including printing, hot-branding and laser bonding. The machines for laser engraving and laser marking are the same, so that the two terms are sometimes confused by those without knowledge or experience in the practice.

A computer numerical control (CNC) router is a computer-controlled cutting machine which typically mounts a hand-held router as a spindle which is used for cutting various materials, such as wood, composites, aluminium, steel, plastics, and foams.

Engraving is a cutting technique or process of carving a design into a hard surface, to decorate or label on the objects made of different materials, typically using a set of hand engraving tools in the past, but CNC engraving is also available now.