The metal fabrication industry has evolved over the years. Initially, manual methods were standard, which required more workforce and field expertise. However, due to rapid technological advancement, automated machinery handles most tasks in the metal industry nowadays. Deploying automatic machines saves labor and recruitment costs while increasing the production rate and quality.
One such industrial technology is laser cutting, which appeared in the market many years ago but recently gained popularity. A fiber laser cutting machine is an advanced piece of equipment that offers increased accuracy and efficiency. Most industrialists talk about the complexity of this technology. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Here is a quick summary of all the essentials.
An Overview of Laser Cutting Machines
These machines create a high-powered laser beam using optical lasers, which are directed to the machine head. The laser is contracted into a narrow beam that pierces through the metallic sheets of varying thickness. Laser fiber cutting gets its name from the fiber transport material used inside the machine.
Laser cutting machines are significantly more expensive than other cutting machines. However, they offer more strength and versatility. Most fiber laser machines can cut metal sheets up to 10mm thick. But the capacity varies from model to model.
The Working Mechanism
To understand the working of fiber laser machines, it is essential to know how lasers work because the laser is the core component of the technology.
The production of a laser needs three parts. First, there is the gain medium which produces photons. The second is optical pumping which makes the photons inside the medium. Finally, the mirrors reflect these photons to create a concentrated beam with a wavelength of 1.064 mm.
Fiber laser cutting machines produce significantly smaller spots than conventional CO2 cutting machines. Therefore, they are mainly preferred for precision-demanding projects.
How Does a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Differ from A CO2 Laser Cutting Machine?
Both machines produce laser beams to cut through the metals. Since they cannot be used interchangeably, it is essential to clarify their differences.
Laser Production Method
The first differentiating aspect is the material used to produce a laser beam. In a fiber laser, there is a gain metal that has photons. In contrast, CO2 machines use carbon dioxide to generate photons. These machines offer a wavelength range of 10,600 nanometers, significantly less than fiber laser machines (1,060 nm).
Energy Consumption
Energy efficiency is an important aspect when you are buying industrial equipment. Fiber laser machines consume less power as compared to CO2 ones.
Less Maintenance
The conventional material-cutting machines required a dedicated maintenance budget. And CO2-cutting machines were no exception. In comparison, fiber laser cutting machines require less or no maintenance, which increases your company’s productivity. Most industries are shifting to fiber laser machines due to resistance to breakdowns.
Increased Precision
As explained earlier, the wavelength range of fiber laser machines is much higher than CO2 machines, which is why they are more precise. They can efficiently perform tasks like marking, etching, and drilling with high precision.
Things You Should Be Conscious About When Using Fiber Laser Cutting Machines
Although these machines offer countless benefits, there are also some downsides. Knowing them will help you decide more accurately whether fiber laser fits in with your requirements or not.
The first and foremost thing is the price. An average CO2 machine costs around 35 to 85 thousand dollars. However, fiber lasers fall in the price range of 40 thousand to 1 million dollars.
Although these machines are robust to damage, they can still require component replacement which is more expensive than CO2 machines. Laser beams of fiber machines are more intense and can potentially harm workers more than CO2 machines.
The Bottom Line
Laser cutting technology is an advanced fabrication technique, and its most common illustrations are fiber laser cutting machines. These machines are different from conventional metal-cutting machines in various aspects. However, an industrialist needs to analyze the bright and dull sides of the situation.
Fiber laser machines are more detail-oriented and workable with delicate materials. Moreover, they require almost no maintenance and consume less power. Most company owners prefer them for their efficiency and versatility. However, they can be unbelievably expensive.
