CO2 vs. Fiber Laser Machine: Which One Is Better?

Here to understand the difference between fiber and CO2 laser machines? After all, they are both lasers, so why do they behave differently?

The wavelength is the key distinction that defines the types of materials that each laser can treat. The wavelength of a fiber laser is typically 1,060 nm, whereas CO2 lasers have wavelengths in the 10,600 nm range. Fiber lasers have a lower range than CO2 lasers in general.

If you want to process metal, you’ll need to invest in a fiber laser. A CO2 laser is an ideal option for processing non-metals/ organic materials like fabrics, wood, or cardboard.

Because it has changed the whole status quo in sheet metal manufacturing, fiber laser technology is considered a disruptive and “revolutionary” shift. High-contrast marks such as metal annealing, etching, and engraving are best done using fiber lasers.

What is the use of fiber laser cutting machines?

Fiber lasers are a form of solid-state laser that produces high-quality beams. The fiber’s beamwidth is lower than that of CO2, resulting in finer work details. Laser cutters are 100 times more powerful than gas laser cutters. It is a maintenance-free monolithic, Fiber-to-Fiber, compact solid-state design configuration.

They’re also great for marking serial numbers, barcodes, and data matrices on metals permanently. Fiber lasers are commonly utilized in applications such as product traceability (direct component marking) and identification.

Here we have identified 5 major areas where it is used,

Medical devices: cutting small components in complex medical devices to laser surgeries performed on human tissues.

Jewelry: precise cutting, superior edge quality, ability to cut complex shapes and high production capability in less time.

Automotive: outstanding for cutting smaller, hydroformed parts, which are metal parts formed in 3D shapes and components used in automobiles.

Electronics: perfect to cut thin and gentle materials like silicon.

Textile Industry: clean cuts, closed fabric edges to prevent fraying and competence to cut different kinds of fabric similar to polyester, silk, cotton, leather, nylon and neoprene.

How does a fiber laser cutting machine work?

Fiber lasers employ a silica glass optical fiber wire to direct light. Because the laser beam is straighter and narrower than with other types of lasers, it is more accurate. Pump light from laser diodes is used to power fiber lasers. These diodes produce light, which is sent over the fiber-optic cable. The cable’s optical components are then employed to create and magnify a specified wavelength. The final step is to shape and release the laser beam that has resulted.

• Pump Light is Guided in Fiber-Optic Cable

• Light is Amplified in the Laser Cavity

• Laser Light of a Specific Wavelength is Created

• The Laser Beam is Shaped and Released

What is the price of fiber laser cutting machine?

The price of a fiber laser system will vary substantially based on your needs. Industrial fiber laser systems for demanding environments, such as ours, can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $1,000,000 for high-power laser-cutting equipment. The power, which typically ranges from 20 W to 6,000 W, has the greatest influence on pricing.

What can a 1kw fiber laser cut?

All metals, including Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Carbon Steel, Copper, Brass, GI, HRC, and others, as well as polymers and some hard plastics, may be cut with a laser. Customers usually choose a reliable laser to process and cut huge amounts of workpieces.

Cutting stainless steel plates with a maximum cutting thickness of 4mm and a cutting speed of 1 m/min is suggested. The cutting carbon steel plate has a maximum thickness of 8mm, and the cutting speed is 1.1 m/min. A 1000W fiber laser with a cutting speed of 1.5m/min can cut aluminium alloy plates at lower thicknesses. When cutting copper plates with a 1000W laser, the greatest plate thickness that can be cut reliably is 2mm, and the cutting speed is 2m/min.

What is a CO2 laser cutter?

CO2 laser cutting is a sheet metal processing technology that employs a gas laser that is powered by electricity. The laser carves shapes into metal sheets including steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. The CO2 cutting technique is extremely precise and allows for a great deal of shape flexibility. Cutting complicated forms becomes considerably easier as a result of this.

Non-metallic materials such as plastics, fabrics, glass, acrylic, wood, and even stone are appropriate for CO2 laser marking. They’re used to designate PVC pipes, construction materials, mobile communications devices, electrical appliances, integrated circuits, and electronic components, as well as pharmaceutical and food packaging.

What is the price of laser cutting machines in India?

Laser cutting machine prices and expenses vary substantially depending on the type of power, model, and application. If you’re going to cut metal or other heavy materials, you’ll need more power than if you’re going to cut lighter materials like fabric or paper. The higher the wattage, the more expensive the machine will be.

The cost of metal laser cutting equipment in India ranges from $8,000 to $250,000!

What Are the Advantages of Laser Cutting?

Engineers choose a laser cutting service because of the numerous benefits it provides. The following are some of the benefits of laser cutting.

Flexibility: For each cut, laser cutting does not necessitate the replacement of tools. Within the same material thickness, the same setup may be used to cut a variety of forms. Intricate cuts, on the other hand, are not an issue.

Precision: When compared to other thermal cutting processes, precision is one of the key advantages of laser cutting.

Repeatability: Parts with a repeatability of +/- 0.05 mm are almost exact duplicates of one another. Speed: Laser cutting is a lot quicker than traditional mechanical cutting methods. Especially in the case of more complex cuts. When comparing it to other thermal cutting methods like plasma or flame cutting, laser beats them in speed up to a certain thickness which is around 10 mm.

Automation: Modern laser cutting technology is highly automated, therefore the job requires fewer humans. Although the final quality is still influenced by an expert machine operator, the speed of cutting and lack of manual labor result in reduced costs when compared to other cutting processes.

Quality: Laser cutters leave just a little burr when set up correctly. It’s not always essential to remove it. Of course, the material, thickness, and other elements all have a role.

Contactless Cutting: Laser cutting is a contactless process in which only the beam makes contact with the material. As a result, there is no mechanical friction that may cause instruments to wear out.

Versatility: One of the most essential characteristics of laser cutting’s magnificence is its versatility. There are two ways in which versatility reveals itself. Different metals, acrylic, MDF, wood, paper, and other materials can be laser cut. A single computer may be designed to do a variety of tasks.

Finally, the technique applies to a wide range of profiles. Tube laser cutting may be used on a variety of materials, including box sections and open channels.

Reference: https://medium.com/@lisajhall938/co2-vs-fiber-laser-machine-which-one-is-better-756169f87ba9