difference between fiber and co2 laser cutting machinequality sterling silver necklaces

and fiber lasers can come in the form of a full lights out operation and also in the form of automatic nozzle changing and lens autofocus which eliminates the need for manual interventions as well as reducing machine idle time. As the material thickness increases, the geometry of the cut front starts to favour the wavelength of the CO, The following images compare the cut edge of samples cut on a 6 kW CO. laser, a 6 kW fiber laser and a 170 A plasma machine. As the sheet thickness increases (for the same laser power), CO. lasers are able to match and surpass fiber laser cutting speeds. CO2 vs. Table 6 shows the gas pressure and nozzle size used to cut the samples shown above and the cost using a 6 kW fiber and CO2 laser. These not only can cause damage to machine components and the electronics, decreasing cutting performance, but are also extremely harmful for humans. All laser machines by law will be required to have a label clearly stating its class. CO2 lasers have a warm-up time of around 10-20 minute. This has been a common discussion in manufacturing circles for several years now as Laser purists insist CO2 was the better technology and others promoting the new innovations of Fiber Lasers, insist just the opposite is true. In general however, for EC and UKCA conforming machines, no ear protection is required. The spot size of a laser is one of the factors that determines the kerf width. laser system can cost around 150,000 upwards. As the sheet thickness increases (for the same laser power), CO2 lasers are able to match and surpass fiber laser cutting speeds. lasers being an older and potentially declining technology, it still serves as an excellent choice particularly for cutting non-metals. The total cost of ownership brings together all the direct and indirect costs of owning a laser machine. The cutting range of a laser is dependent on the power source: the higher the power, the thicker the sheet that can be cut. Once the CO2 Resonator has created enough light it is delivered in a different manner then the fiber optic method. When the fiber laser beam is directed at thicker materials, it is only able to interact with the top part of the cut. For more information on what quality you can expect with plasma we would like to refer to our article on. However, if small holes/fine features are required, a laser is preferable. Zoom heads allow you to adjust the focus spot diameter and hence the kerf. What applications can be cut with a fiber and CO. Investment Costs: As the solid state laser technology becomes increasingly more popular the cost of the systems are declining. Fiber lasers are significantly faster at cutting thin sheets (< 8 mm) than CO, lasers, particularly when cutting stainless steel. However, the speed advantage is tiny in comparison to thinner sheets. Increasing the power of the laser source by just 2kW can increase cutting speeds by 2-3 times for thin sheets. Maintenance of a CO2 laser cutting head can take between 4-5 hours a week compared to less than half an hour a week for a fiber laser. This obviously increases the overall cut time. What is the Total Cost of Ownership for both technologies? However, even with CO2 lasers, particularly for thicker sheets, two cut paths are required as with a fiber laser. The term does not specify how the light source is created (which is different then that of CO2 resonators). The effect of a misaligned laser beam on cutting metal. Read on to find out which cutting technology will best suit your business. It is possible that for a sheet thickness above 10 mm, a HD plasma machine may be preferable to a CO2 laser. The table below provides a summary on how the different laser technologies compare on the most important factors. Additionally, as the cutting table area increases so will the power requirements of the filtration system. The main difference that determines the type of materials each laser can process is the wavelength. The safety glass can be a translucent window and is significantly cheaper than the window required by a fiber laser. Thick Material Finish: One of the advantages of CO2 lasers is the finishes obtained in thicker materials, especially Stainless Steel and Aluminum. Industrial fiber lasers systems for demanding environment like we do usually start at $40,000 and can go up to $1,000,000 for high-power laser-cutting machines. The geometry of the resulting cut front enhances the absorption of the fiber laser beam. High power CO2 lasers (above 6kW) are less common than higher powered fiber lasers. CO2 vs. Clearly, as the laser power increases so will the electricity costs of the machine due to the need for a larger chiller. The exact requirements of the system will depend on a range of factors such as the laser power and the size of the cutting table. Maintenance: All of the above mentioned components of the beam path delivery system require maintenance which can not only be disruptive to manufacturing but also very costly. A fiber laser usually has a wavelength of 1,060nm while CO2 lasers have wavelengths in the 10,600nm range. The power usually ranging from 20W to 6,000W will have the largest impact on price. Unfortunately, CO2 lasers use significantly more power than fiber lasers, resulting in a higher cost of operation. The majority of noise produced by a laser cutting machine is because of the machine movement and not because of the laser source. Fiber lasers are everywhere in the modern world. If youre looking to mark metal, what you need to buy is a fiber laser. Known Technology/Comfort Level: If you are currently running one or more CO2 laser systems inyour facility you're likely to sway very heavily in that technology direction initially as it is thedemon you know vs. the one you do not. Despite CO2 lasers being an older and potentially declining technology, it still serves as an excellent choice particularly for cutting non-metals. Fiber Laser: Pros and Cons of Each. Given the beam delivery system is more exposed to the environment (temperature, moisture etc.) laser machines can have open roofs, as even if the beam is reflected off a surface, the beam is highly diffused therefore does not cause serious harm. The mirrors and bellows will get dirty over time and will need cleaning/replacing regularly to prevent a decrease in the cutting performance. Table 6 shows the gas pressure and nozzle size used to cut the samples shown above and the cost using a 6 kW fiber and CO, When it comes to electricity costs, fiber lasers are significantly cheaper and more environmentally friendly than CO, Clearly, as the laser power increases so will the electricity costs of the machine due to the need for a larger chiller. Laser light (both direct and reflected) has the potential to cause significant damage to both the skin and eyes. The fiber receives the light source from the resonator of the laser cutting machine and delivered it to the cutting head which is controlled by the CNC. This being said, in some cases Plasma could be an excellent alternative on stainless steel. Coupled with less Maintenance, less consumables and faster cutting make the per/part costs on a fiber laser exceedingly advantageous. Saquib Ansari Managing Director Esprit Automation Ltd. Esprit Automation is a leading manufacturer of CNC laser, plasma and flame cutting machines in the UK. This means for the same power laser; thicker sheets can be cut. These can briefly be defined as: Class 1 Laser systems that are safe in normal operation even with prolonged direct observation of the laser beam and even if the exposure occurs in connection with optical instruments (magnifying glasses or telescopes)., Class 2M Laser systems that emit visible radiation that is safe for the naked eye only in event of brief exposure. Innovative Energy saving features on a Fiber Laser cutting machine. As an example a well equipped domestic built fiber laser cutting system can be purchased starting at well under 300K. CO2 lasers deliver faster initial piercing times, quicker straight-line cutting and a smoother surface finish when cutting materials above 5mm. With CO, Plastic coated stainless steel can be cut by both laser types. However, most laser cutting systems will be Class 1. However, the speed advantage (up to five times greater) on thin materials (< 8 mm), 50% lower operating costs and higher outputs, the financial gains that can be achieved using fiber lasers can be game changing. The acquisition cost of any laser machine depends on a wide range of factors such as: An industrial, second hand CO2 laser system can cost around 150,000 upwards. If you are mainly cutting stainless steel, and you are looking for more information on fiber laser cutting machines, we could recommend this helpful guide on how to find the best stainless steel fiber laser. CO2 Lasers however gain an edge when it comes to material types and the flexibility to adapt to a wider range of materials. Overall Flexibility: As we previously mentioned, CO2 Laser have more flexibility to cut through a wider range of materials, especially non metals. Both laser types will generate fumes and particulates during the cutting process. CO2 lasers have an efficiency of approximately 10%, therefore to power a 6kW laser, a 60kW power supply is needed whereas, a fiber laser cutter is approximately 45% (can be up to 50%) efficient so only a 13kW supply is needed. This means that the optics path is completely protected from contaminants. If you need to cut non-metals, a CO2 laser is advisable. However, the speed advantage (up to five times greater) on thin materials (< 8 mm), 50% lower operating costs and higher outputs, the financial gains that can be achieved using fiber lasers can be game changing. The smaller spot size and consequent narrow kerf width means that in order to effectively eject the melt from the cut high gas pressures are needed for a fiber laser. The cost of a fiber laser system will greatly vary depending on your applications. A CO2 laser really refers to the method of generation of the laser itself. It is possible to cut thicker sheets than those stated below, however repeatability and cut quality are significantly reduced. lasers (above 6kW) are less common than higher powered fiber lasers. Refer to BS EN 60825-1 (IEC 60825-1) for precise definitions of laser classes and indications on the limits of accessible radiation. The lack of moving parts in a fiber laser system means it is ready to go instantly, minimising unnecessary machine downtime. Which machine is easier to Set Up and has more Idle Time? Posted By: Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales | Posted On: March 10, 2021. Fiber lasers have the option of either zoom or non-zoom cutting heads. Fiber lasers are significantly better at cutting highly reflective metals such as copper and brass. The footprint of the machine will largely depend on the size of the cutting bed and shuttle tables used. However, there has been a rapid uptake of fiber lasers being used in the medical, aerospace, automotive and electronics industries due to their rapid cutting speeds, excellent cut quality and high precision. Edge Quality: How do both laser cutters stack up? This new capability, buffered by lower investment costs promises a bright future for Fiber. Further, the small kerf size means higher assist gas pressures are required to ensure the melt is ejected efficiently, contributing to the slightly rougher edge. Our team of expert engineers can help you identify the right CNC cutting machine for you and theyd be delighted to talk you through the specific requirements and how Esprit Automation could help you to meet them. In general, fiber lasers have many advantages over CO2 lasers. The repetitive movement of the machine produces holes in the bellows over time. As the material thickness increases, the geometry of the cut front starts to favour the wavelength of the CO2 laser. Esprit Automation designs and manufactures state-of-the-art CNC cutting machines for plasma, laser and flame cutting ofsteel and other metals. This means it is an excellent choice for product traceability and identification purposes with the marking of serial numbers, barcodes and data matrices onto metal parts. Operating Costs: Aside from the mirrors, lenses bellows and las gasses required to keep the beam path delivery system pure and clean, the power consumption costs are 70% higher as the CO2 Resonator, Blower, chiller etc require much more power. Fiber lasers are widely used for product traceability (direct part marking) and identification applications. The main difference between a CO2 and a fiber laser is the wavelength of the beam. For instance, a high-power CO2 laser and chiller will consume roughly 70kW when operating on maximum power. The main and most costly issue with CO2 lasers occurs when the laser beam is reflected back down the beam delivery system causing damage to the expensive oscillator. Fiber lasers have a monolithic configuration whereby the laser beam is delivered to the cutting head via a fiber optic cable. The following images compare the cut edge of samples cut on a 6 kW CO2 laser, a 6 kW fiber laser and a 170 A plasma machine. CO2 lasers use bend mirrors contained within bellows (sometimes filled with nitrogen) to deliver the beam to the cutting head. Cutting plastics and other combustible materials will produce highly toxic fumes, while metals will produce fine particulates. CO2 laser spot sizes can be up to 90% larger than a fiber laser equivalent. Productivity can be further improved with greater levels of automation. However, when comparing the laser systems, fiber lasers take up less space than CO2 lasers. The price for CO2 laser marking systems usually ranges between $35,000 and $80,000. However, solid state laser technology is becoming increasingly popular and hence the cost of laser systems is decreasing. The fiber beam delivery method greatly simplified the process of building a laser and as such many machinescame to the market at greatly reduced prices. Please note that all fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. However, solid state laser technology is becoming increasingly popular and hence the cost of laser systems is decreasing. If your application is laser cutting of metals, youll most likely need a high-power CW (continuous wave) fiber laser. lasers have been used in the pharmaceutical industry, food production, the manufacturing of electronic components, fabric cutting and cutting building materials. A plasma machine will be able to cut 10 mm mild steel quicker and produce a smoother cut edge. With the speed benefits, almost half of the operating costs and three to four times greater throughput than CO2 lasers, the financial gains that can be gotfrom using fiber lasers can be game changing. They do so as they have seen there is a marked difference in the technologies, capabilities and more importantly their performance in certain materials, thicknesses and special applications. A similarly powered fiber laser consumes approximately 18kW. The most common cause of misalignment is a collision between the cutting head and a tipped part and can happen for both CO2 and fiber laser systems. Finish: CO2 Lasers generally produce better edge quality on plate stainless and aluminum workpieces. However, the speed advantage (up to five times greater) on thin materials (< 8 mm), 50% lower operating costs and higher outputs, the financial gains that can be achieved using fiber lasers can be game changing. Fiber Laser, which is better? CO2 lasers have been used for sheet metal cutting since the 1970s and have developed greatly over the years, dominating the industry. For details on the cutting parameters used see Table 5 for cut speeds and Table 6 for auxiliary gas usage. For thinner sheets, the smaller spot size of the fiber laser results in higher cutting speeds and smaller kerfs. Investment Costs: Which machine has the highest acquisition cost? Given the beam delivery system is more exposed to the environment (temperature, moisture etc.) However, the rapid development of fiber lasers has dramatically changed the process of sheet metal cutting. However, the speed advantage is tiny in comparison to thinner sheets. Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales (SFMS) has been an expert in buying, selling, and brokering used machinery and used industrial equipment since the 1980's. They are used in pharmaceutical and food packaging as well as the marking of PVC pipes, building materials, mobile communications gadgets, electrical appliances, integrated circuits, and electronic components. 5 mm stainless steel cutting sample HD Plasma, 10 mm stainless steel cutting sample CO2, 10 mm stainless steel cutting sample Fiber, 10 mm stainless steel cutting sample HD Plasma, 15 mm stainless steel cutting sample CO2, 15 mm stainless steel cutting sample Fiber, 15 mm stainless steel cutting sample HD Plasma, 5 mm mild steel cutting sample HD Plasma, 10 mm mild steel cutting sample HD Plasma, 15 mm mild steel cutting sample HD Plasma. A plasma machine will be able to cut 10 mm mild steel quicker and produce a smoother cut edge. For a lot of people, lasers are small boxes that shoot red dots, which drive cats crazy. The extremely small spot diameter increases the intensity of the laser; hence it is able to mark extremely fine details onto parts with excellent precision. If you have any questions about laser cutting, please dont hesitate to contact us. Example of a compact fiber laser by Esprit Automation. But in fact, laser systems are used in many manufacturing processes. With CO2 lasers, the majority of the laser beam is reflected (due to the wavelength) back off the material which can cause significant damage to the optical components in the cutting head therefore, while it is possible to cut aluminium on a CO2 laser, it will significantly decrease the lifetime of the consumables. If you need to cut thinner materials (< 8 mm), a fiber laser is the ideal choice as they can offer significantly higher cutting speeds than a CO. laser and excellent cut quality (minimal dross and regular striations on the cut edge). For the same laser power, the maximum sheet thickness for a CO, laser is approximately a third less than that for a fiber laser (note, CO. lasers above 6 kW are rare). The smaller wavelength of a fiber laser means it is much better suited in general to cutting metals as more of the beams energy is absorbed into the material and less is reflected. What maintenance & Operating Costs should you expect? and a fiber laser is the wavelength of the beam. 5 mm stainless steel cutting sample CO2, 5 mm stainless steel cutting sample Fiber. The two main consumables of a fiber laser are the nozzle (the same applies for CO. lasers use bend mirrors contained within bellows (sometimes filled with nitrogen) to deliver the beam to the cutting head. For 1 mm, a fiber laser can cut at speeds up to 6 times higher than that of a CO. laser. For the same laser power, the maximum sheet thickness for a CO2 laser is approximately a third less than that for a fiber laser (note, CO2 lasers above 6 kW are rare). This means for high powered machines, fiber lasers are able to achieve faster cutting speeds for all sheet thicknesses. Esprit Automation Ltd PlackettMill, Church Drive Sandiacre, Nottingham, NG10 5EE, United Kingdom, Company Registration No: 2113853 I VAT Registration No: GB 450 0551 90 I, Are you planning to purchase a laser cutter but are doubting between a CO, The key variables when deciding between a CO. lasers being an older and potentially declining technology, it still serves as an excellent choice particularly for cutting non-metals. Plus due to the high electrical efficiency of fiber lasers, they use significantly less power than CO2 lasers, resulting in huge cost savings for cutting applications. Fiber lasers, because of their wavelength, on their own are a Class 4. The cost of CO2 lasers tends to be less than fiber lasers. But who is right? We strongly believe that the advantages of fiber lasers will continue their rapid development over the next few years and become increasingly popular for industrial applications. While Fiber Laser technology is not far off as of the writing of this article today CO2 is still the leader in this area. CO2 machines use different heads and lenses to achieve different spot sizes. The main difference comes from the laser beam delivery system. As an example a 4KW CO2 in 16 GA Mild Steel using N2 as a cutting gas has a recommended cutting speed of just 260IPM whereas an equally equipped Fiber Laser has a cutting speed of Approximately 1,417 IPM, quite a difference. However, for the same power, a chiller for a CO2 laser will have higher electricity costs. The wavelength of the two lasers is shown below: Table 2: wavelength of the fiber laser vs. CO2 laser. However, careful balancing of the cutting parameters (i.e. Do you wonder what the differences are between the two technologies? CO. laser spot sizes can be up to 90% larger than a fiber laser equivalent. Based on their gain medium, lasers are classified into five main types: gas lasers, solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, liquid lasers (dye lasers), and semiconductor lasers (laser diodes). Purged with cutting gasses such as NO2 and O2 around the laserthe material to be machined is quickly vaporized in the intense heart and blown away as particlesof dust. The electrical requirements of the extraction system will depend on the size required: as laser power increases so does the extraction system required. Whether you're looking for your first laser cutting system or your tenth the experts at Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc. can assist you in your search. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2215571, '6fd2c949-61b7-44c1-b002-83d42c9c7ce7', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(2215571, '295fc5b7-cd08-4779-a17a-f56d84655856', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Laser cutting is a relatively new form of sheet metal shape cutting. Automation for both CO2 and fiber lasers can come in the form of a full lights out operation and also in the form of automatic nozzle changing and lens autofocus which eliminates the need for manual interventions as well as reducing machine idle time. The beam is then reflected multiple times to reach the lower surface causing a rougher surface with fine striations. When deciding on a new or used fiber laser. CO2 Laser vs Fiber Laser Technology is an argument that is slowly fading from our industry. Flexibility: CO2 Lasers offer the flexibility across a range of laser applications including non-metals. Increasing the power of the laser source by just 2kW can increase cutting speeds by 2-3 times for thin sheets. If you only need to cut thicker materials, a CO. laser may be a better option due to faster piercing and faster cutting speeds while producing a smoother surface finish. From our base in Nottingham, we supply a range of advanced sheet and plate metal cutting solutions for customers throughout the world. When it comes to marking non-metallic materials such as wood, glass, textiles and plastics, CO2 lasers are a better option. Also, when cutting stainless steel or aluminium, a laser machine will always produce better results. than fiber lasers, CO. lasers experience higher levels of variation in the quality and output of the laser. The geometry of the resulting cut front enhances the absorption of the fiber laser beam. CO. machines use different heads and lenses to achieve different spot sizes. A CO2 laserbeam is absorbed by the plastic coating therefore only one cut pass is required. If you only need to cut thicker materials, a CO2 laser may be a better option due to faster piercing and faster cutting speeds while producing a smoother surface finish. When it comes to marking metal, a fiber laser is the best option. The heat of the laser often causes the mirrors to distort, reducing the power supplied to the cutting head leading to the misalignment of the laser beam. This may require changes to the cutting parameters to counter this variation which can be a timely process. Cutting Speed: Which technology cuts faster? Interlocks stop the laser from firing if the laser is no longer fully enclosed i.e.