Looking back at the history of fiber laser cutting, it is not difficult to find that the development of the laser cutting machine industry in recent years is obvious. Since around 2011, fiber lasers have been used in metal cutting applications. As the advantages of fiber lasers gradually become prominent, they have gradually replaced CO2 lasers and began to become the mainstream of cutting applications in 2014, entering a high-speed development stage. After 2016, industrial grade fiber laser broke through the application bottleneck of 8kw and opened a competition for domestic ultra-high power cutting equipment. Since then, 10kw, 12kw, 15kw, 25kw, 35kw Wait for them to appear one after another.

The laser cutting machine industry is undergoing rapid development and transformation. As the entire laser processing equipment industry gradually enters a "mature period", what is the future development direction?

Continuously increasing laser power range

The emergence of every product is driven by the market. The emergence of 10000 watt equipment in 2017 and its rapid outbreak thereafter were attributed to the significant improvement in the processing efficiency of laser equipment after the increase in power. The cutting process also underwent changes with the increase in power, further improving customer benefits. Equipment above 10000 watt level quickly gained market recognition and promotion. However, Wanwa devices are a niche market after all. After the long-term backlog of high-power demand from these customers in 2017 and 2018 was instantly met, there was clearly a power return.

Of course, the power will continue to increase in the future. The advantage of high-power laser cutting machines in processing thin plates compared to medium and low power is still very obvious, which meets the high production capacity needs of processing plants. However, at the same time, the maturity of core components and the reduction of costs also require a long process.

Changes in demand for laser cutting machines

It is understood that it is different from the "internet celebrity" 10000 watt laser equipment in previous years. Between 2019 and 2020, devices with a power range of 3000W and 6000W became popular models. On the one hand, the demand in the sheet metal industry is mainly focused on thin plates, and medium and low power equipment can already meet the processing needs; On the other hand, user enterprises have a certain understanding in the field of laser cutting, and end users have a certain understanding and judgment ability on the core components and brands of laser equipment. Their choices will also be more rational, and their investment in equipment will become more conservative.

Meanwhile, with the upgrading of consumption, the demand for high precision, lightweight, and beautiful appearance of sheet metal parts in end products has further increased. The problem faced by processing plants or terminal enterprises is no longer the priority of purchasing higher power laser machines to meet the processing efficiency and improve market competitiveness compared to peers. Instead, it is how to improve the competitiveness of the industry through a complete set of systematic cost reduction and efficiency enhancement plans, and develop towards "lean" and "precision" directions.

The future trend of intelligent laser cutting remains unchanged

The upgrading and changes in market demand also mean the development and changes of laser cutting machines. The future manufacturing industry is bound to develop towards a less human or even unmanned environment, and the competition for laser processing equipment must be a competition for overall solutions, that is, the competition for economic and technological strength of enterprises. Compared to laser companies such as Tongkuai, Baichao, AMADA, and Han's, it is not difficult to find that intelligent system software and intelligent factory software have become the focus of market attention. How to develop more suitable automation, intelligence, and multi-functional integrated product lines for the future development of the Chinese market has become the direction of development for various laser intelligent equipment enterprises.

The epidemic does not change the expectations of fiber optic lasers, and we are optimistic about the development of the fiber optic laser industry in the long term

A sudden "epidemic" in 2020 may lead to an early industry reshuffle, but with the continuous improvement of performance efficiency and cost reduction, fiber laser will further open up the cost performance bottleneck of traditional processing industries, expand the depth and breadth of industry applications, and is expected to be a universal tool for large-scale production and manufacturing in the future. In the current global economic downturn, every laser enterprise will have a painful "torment period". However, in the foreseeable future, companies that have survived this baptism will achieve faster and better development.

In the increasingly competitive market, every product has a lifecycle, and after reaching its maturity, this product will inevitably undergo a reshuffle and be eliminated. However, what is eliminated is only the product, not the market, and so is fiber laser cutting. Just like from the first industrial revolution to the Second Industrial Revolution Then to the Internet, laser technology, 5G Every emergence of new technologies will inevitably lead to revolutionary iterations of new technologies and products. The epidemic has brought both crises and new opportunities. Only by quickly seizing market opportunities can we quickly resolve crises and turn defeat into victory.

About HGTECH: HGTECH is the pioneer and leader of laser industrial application in China, and the authoritative provider of global laser processing solutions. We have comprehensively arranged laser intelligent machine, measurement and automation production lines, and smart factory construction to provide overall solutions for intelligent manufacturing.