In the current metal processing industry, laser cutting has become a trend. Laser cutting is refined according to its different working methods. In recent years, optical fiber laser cutting has gradually replaced CO2 laser cutting in the metal processing industry and become one of the most important cutting methods in the metal processing industry. Fiber laser cutting machine is also one of the most commonly used laser cutting machines. Unlike the gas laser tube and light transmission of CO2 laser machine, fiber laser cutting machine uses fiber laser and cable to transmit laser beam. The wavelength of the fiber laser beam is only 1/10 of the wavelength generated by the CO2 laser. Therefore, compared with CO2 laser cutting machine, fiber laser cutting machine has better consistency and reliability, and can process more fine patterns. What are the differences and advantages between fiber laser cutting and CO2 laser cutting?

1. Different light-emitting media

In CO2 laser cutting machine, gas is the medium to generate laser beam, mainly CO2, and O2, He, Xe, etc. are auxiliary gases. The CO2 laser beam is reflected and focused to the laser cutting head by the reflection and focusing lens. The fiber laser is transmitted through diodes and fiber optic cables. Multiple diodes are pumped to generate laser beams, which are then transmitted to the laser cutting head through fiber optic cables, rather than transmitted through mirrors.

2. The appearance of optical fiber laser cutting machine is more compact

Due to the different laser transmission structures, the optical fiber laser cutting machine with the same power is more compact than the CO2 laser cutting machine, which saves space in the plant and is more suitable for the application of the old warehouse.

3. The electro-optic conversion efficiency of optical fiber laser cutting machine is high

The fiber laser cutting machine adopts a complete solid-state digital module and a single fiber laser design, and its electro-optic conversion efficiency is higher than that of CO2 laser cutting. CO2 laser cutting machine will consume a lot of gas when working, but the actual total utilization rate of each power supply is about 8%~10%. The fiber laser cutting machine consumes less in the processing process, but the total utilization rate is about 25%~30%. The total energy consumption of the fiber laser cutting system is 3~5 times lower than that of the carbon dioxide cutting system, which is more than 86% higher.

4. The processing effect of optical fiber laser cutting machine is better

The beam wavelength of CO2 laser is 10.64um, which is easier to be absorbed by non-metallic materials. However, the beam wavelength of the fiber laser is 1.064um, 10 times shorter than that of CO2, which improves the absorption of the cutting material to the beam. Due to this smaller focal length, the intensity of the fiber laser cutter is almost 100 times higher than that of the CO2 laser cutter with the same power output. Therefore, fiber laser cutting machine is very suitable for cutting metal materials. When the cutting material thickness reaches 6mm, the cutting speed of 1500W optical fiber laser cutting machine is equivalent to that of 3000W carbon dioxide laser cutting machine.

CO2 laser cutter can cut and engrave metal materials with low efficiency. Therefore, CO2 laser machine is mainly used for cutting and carving non-metallic materials. For example, wood, acrylic, paper, leather, fabric, etc. Fiber laser cutting machine is mainly used for metal laser cutting, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, etc.

5. Low maintenance cost of optical fiber laser cutting machine

CO2 laser cutting machine uses gas as the luminous medium. Due to the low purity of CO2 gas, the cavity will be polluted and needs to be cleaned regularly. In addition, the CO2 laser tube has a complex structure, the optical lens is vulnerable and expensive, and the mirror surface needs maintenance and calibration, so the daily maintenance workload is larger and the cost is higher. The annual cost of a kilowatt CO2 laser cutting machine is at least 20000 dollars. Fiber laser cutting is basically maintenance free, with few vulnerable parts. It can withstand harsh working environment and has high resistance to dust, impact, impact, humidity and temperature. Generally speaking, fiber laser cutting is more environmentally friendly, convenient and cost-effective in the daily maintenance of equipment.

6. Higher processing efficiency of optical fiber laser cutting machine

CO2 laser cutting machine is not suitable for large size processing because of its large beam divergence. Although the kerf is relatively small, the processing speed of thick plate is very slow. Fiber laser cutter is characterized by high laser beam density, high intensity, high brightness and high conversion rate. For sheet metal processing, the cutting speed of optical fiber laser cutting machine is 2-3 times higher than that of CO2 laser cutting machine with the same power.

HGTECH independently developed several high-power fiber laser cutting machines, which are fast, effective, burr free and slag free. Various power options can meet different production needs. Economical laser cutting machine, GF PLUS series CNC fiber laser cutting machine preferred in cost performance ratio; The plane cutting MARVEL series, which meets the processing demand of 100% metal materials and has stable continuous production quality, is one of the mainstream purchase models updated in the current market; There is also the AUTOBOT series of stereo cutting, which won the first prize of Science and Technology Progress in Hubei Province and was purchased in large quantities by auto thermoforming enterprises. Its sales volume has become the first in China and the third in the world.

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 equipment, measurement and automation production lines, and smart factory construction to provide overall solutions for intelligent manufacturing.