When choosing compressor you have to consider if it can constantly Air Compressor For Laser Cutting provide desired pressure and volume of air. Small airbrush compressors little compressors boast amazing pressure figures but actually poor flow rates sufficient only for airbrush pistols. Actually if small compressor can push enough air it will likely overheat in short while.
Our laser cutter was included with little membrane pump (Smallest upon the picture), I do not know very well what specifications it has but blast of air was very weak. It is adequate if all you want to do is engrave, although even then we got significant smoke traces around engraved picture.
it was rated for volume of ~2.4cfm and had a 1 gallon tank which can be filled to 58 PSI. It were able to give us constant 1 bar (14 PSI) of pressure, nonetheless it had to run all the time and overheat badly within five minutes.
Third and current compressor we got was 6cfm rated belt driven unit with 13 gallon tank which is filled to ~100psi. With this unit we are able to run at constant ~2bar (31psi) without fear of overheating since compressor engine isn’t on on a regular basis. Using reserve air flow in tank we are able to also push up to 3.5bar (50psi) for short jobs.
The best setup for me will be compressor rated to >6cfm, huge 70+ gallons tank rated to 10bar (140psi) and software air control via solenoid valve.