Fiber versus CO2 Lasers: The Basic Differences

Advantages

Fiber lasers come with numerous advantages. These devices do not contain any moving parts or mirrors, which eliminates the need for alignment. This feature significantly reduces overall maintenance costs. Moreover, the robustness of fiber lasers contributes to lower operating and maintenance expenses. When compared to CO2 lasers, fiber lasers boast superior electrical efficiency, making them not only economically advantageous due to lower running costs but also environmentally friendly. They excel in cutting thin materials and can cut stainless steel—with a thickness of 1 mm—nearly three times faster than CO2 lasers. Additionally, fiber lasers are capable of cutting reflective materials like copper, brass, and aluminum.

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Laser cutters utilize high-energy, focused laser beams to precisely cut sheets of steel, wood, plastic, and other materials into two-dimensional shapes, catering to both manufacturing and hobbyist sectors. The term "laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," which explains the physics needed to produce laser light. This technology has become widely embraced for the mass production of accurate two-dimensional components.

The laser cutting procedure employs a computer-generated program known as G-code, which consists of machine-readable instructions that guide the movement of the laser cutting head. Once the program is initialized, the material may need some preparation before being positioned on the cutting bed. After loading the material, a concentrated high-energy light beam is activated and focused on a specific point to heat the material, initiating the cutting process. As the temperature of the material rises, the laser deftly cuts multiple components using a series of mirrors and lenses. The intense heat generated by the laser melts and often vaporizes the material as it travels across the bed, forming parts from the sheet material. The finished components can then be removed and may undergo further processing.

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Laser cutters find applications in various fields, including engraving, laser welding, tube cutting, and both sheet metal and plate cutting. Several types of lasers and methodologies are employed in laser cutting, including:

Types of Laser Cutting:

• CO2 Lasers - This type of laser uses carbon dioxide (CO2), helium (He), and nitrogen (N) to enhance the cutting procedure. Nitrogen amplifies energy, while helium helps dissipate the residual energy following a cut. These lasers are commonly applied to metal plates but may face difficulties when working with high-reflectivity and thermally absorptive materials.
• Fiber Lasers - These lasers operate through flexible fiber optic cables that transport photons, aided by rare earth elements like erbium, neodymium, thulium, or yttrium. Each element emits different wavelengths suited for various applications. Fiber lasers are particularly effective for cutting reflective materials like brass or gold and can be mounted on robotic arms due to the flexibility of the fiber cables.
• Nd:YAG Lasers - This high-density, powerful laser is primarily employed for marking and etching. It comprises a neodymium (Nd) doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal (Y3Al5O12) that accelerates photons, producing a high-intensity beam. Nd:YVO lasers function similarly but present improved power stability, reduced heat, and greater laser intensity.

Laser cutters are adept at slicing through a variety of materials. The most commonly cut materials include:

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• Acrylic - Also known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), this transparent rigid material.
• Aluminum - Fiber lasers effectively cut most types of aluminum, which is reflective.
• Brass - Ideally cut using fiber lasers.
• Cork - Easily laser-cut or engraved.
• Felt - Cuts effortlessly, especially materials with over 95% wool content.
• Hardboard - Simple to cut but may emit fumes from adhesives.
• Leather - This material is easy to cut or engrave, often for creating personalized items.
• Stainless Steel (SS) - Fiber lasers are optimized for cutting stainless steel.
• Steel - Including mild steel and carbon steel, accommodated by high-powered lasers capable of cutting up to 20-25 mm plate thickness.
• Wood - Typically, low-power lasers are utilized for various wood types.
• Other materials include: