Difference Between Fiber Laser And Co2 Laser

Co2 lasers have been around for decades and remain in wide use demonstrating just how reliable it is as a manufacturing tool.

Difference between fiber laser and co2 laser.

On the other hand fiber lasers boast of the power and efficiency improvements. The overall energy consumption of fiber laser cutting system is more than that of carbon dioxide cutting. Speed faster than co2 lasers in thin materials as the laser can be absorbed quickly with a slight lead in speed when cutting with nitrogen fusion cutting. Fiber lasers are also great for use on reflective materials like aluminum brass and copper.

A co2 laser is faster at cutting in a straight line as well as having a quicker piercing time when the cut is first started. The co2 laser is a gas beam obtained by excitation of carbon dioxide molecules and its wavelength is 10 6μm while the fiber laser is a solid laser obtained by placing a crystalline yb ytterbium compound as a medium in optical fiber and irradiating the crystals with a light beam and its wavelength is 1 08μm. The dilemma between co2 lasers and fiber lasers is an interesting one in that it represents a new laser technology with one that has pretty much set the foundation for all types of lasers. This can consume another 4 or 5 hours per week for a co2 laser.

The actual utilization rate of each power supply unit of co2 laser cutting machine is about 8 to 10 while for fiber laser cutting machine this value is about 25 to 30. Fiber lasers are a newer technology and as such have some impressive improvements over former options. Fiber lasers can work with thicker materials no problem but generally a co2 laser will leave a surface finish that is smoother. Fiber lasers are usually more energy efficient using as little as a third of the energy needed for co2 lasers.

For other materials like plastics and rubber it can be one or the other. Co2 lasers also provide a better finish and cleaner edge when working with thicker materials. The beam is not subjected to beam path contaminates as is the case with co2 lasers. The fiber laser cutter has no beam path maintenance such as mirror or lens cleaning bellows checks and beam alignments.

A fiber laser usually has a wavelength of 1 060 nm while co2 lasers have wavelengths in the 10 600 nm range. Light is then focused using a lens which focuses this powerful beam onto the material that needs to be cut. Light is then focused using a lens which focuses this powerful beam onto the material that needs to be cut. The main difference that determines the type of materials each laser can process is the wavelength.

The system is about 3 to 5 times less which increases the energy efficiency to more than 86. Faster in a straight line. Cost per part less than the co2 laser depending on sheet thickness. For example using the amplification method specified above.

Co2 lasers also provide a better finish and cleaner edge when working with thicker materials. Fiber lasers are a newer technology and as such have some impressive improvements over former options. Fiber lasers channel and amplify light using fiber optic cables. Fiber lasers channel and amplify light using fiber optic cables.

In our facility we deal with materials as thick as 1 inch which often call for a co2 laser s superior cutting time and power.