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Fiber Laser Vs Co2: Choosing The Right Tool

In the industrial market, co2 laser and fiber laser are the most commonly used fiber laser sources, but they are more commonly used in metal cutting, engraving and marking, and there are still many differences.

This article mainly focuses on fiber laser vs co2. I hope it will help you choose the appropriate fiber laser.

fiber laser cutting machine factory

What is a fiber laser?

Fiber lasers are optical fibers whose active gain medium is doped with rare earth elements such as erbium, yttrium, neodymium, antimony, neodymium, thorium, and holmium. These elements provide the necessary light amplification without the need for external reflectors.

How fiber lasers work

The laser beam can be delivered to the target directly from the fiber or via a flexible cable, allowing high precision and flexibility in a variety of applications such as cutting, welding, and marking.

Fiber lasers are highly efficient, provide a large cooling surface area, and allow interaction between the pump light and the gain medium. The laser system is compact, energy-efficient, and capable of producing high-quality laser beams.

co2 laser
co2 laser

What is a CO2 laser

A gas-filled tube surrounding it serves as the laser medium. The gas mixture usually contains carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases such as nitrogen (N2), helium (He), and sometimes hydrogen (H2) or xenon (Xe).

Fiber laser vs co2

FactorFiber LaserCO2 Laser
ApplicationsMetals, some non-metals, cutting, marking, weldingNon-metals, some metals, cutting, engraving, marking
Material CompatibilityHighly effective on metals, limited on non-metalsHighly effective on non-metals, less effective on metals
Cutting Speed and PrecisionHigh speed and high precisionModerate speed, high precision
Beam QualityHigh (very focused beam, minimal divergence)Good (larger spot size than fiber lasers)
Power Consumption and EfficiencyLower power consumption, higher efficiencyHigher power consumption, lower efficiency
Maintenance RequirementsLower (solid-state, fewer moving parts)Higher (gas refills, alignment checks)
Cost (Initial and Operational)Higher initial cost, lower operational costLower initial cost, higher operational cost

Co2 vs fiber laser wave length

  • CO2 Laser: Operates at a longer wavelength, typically around 10.6 micrometers (µm).
  • Fiber Laser: Operates at a much shorter wavelength, typically around 1.06 micrometers (µm).

This significant difference in wavelength directly impacts the types of materials each laser can effectively cut and process.

Fiber laser cut quality vs co2 laser

  • Thinner materials: Fiber lasers excel at cutting thin materials with exceptional precision, producing clean edges with minimal dross and burrs.  
  • Thicker materials: While both can cut thicker materials, CO2 lasers often have a slight edge in terms of edge quality, providing smoother finishes.  
  • Material type: The type of material also influences cut quality. Fiber lasers are particularly effective on reflective metals, while CO2 lasers tend to perform better on non-metals.

Factors Affecting Cut Quality:

  • Laser power: Higher power typically leads to better cut quality.
  • Nozzle type: The correct nozzle is crucial for optimal cut quality.
  • Assist gas: The type and flow rate of assist gas can significantly impact results.

Fiber laser vs co2 laser speed

Thin materials: Fiber lasers cut thin materials much faster than CO2 lasers.
Thick materials: The difference in cutting speed between the two laser types becomes less pronounced for thicker materials, with CO2 lasers sometimes offering comparable speeds.

Factors Affecting Cutting Speed:

  • Nozzle type and gas flow: The correct nozzle and gas settings optimize cutting speed.
  • Material thickness: Thinner materials are cut faster with both types of lasers, but the advantage is more pronounced for fiber lasers.
  • Material type: The type of material being cut influences cutting speed. For instance, fiber lasers excel at cutting conductive materials like metals.
  • Laser power: Higher laser power typically results in faster cutting speeds.
  • laser cut tube
FactorFiber Laser CuttingCO2 Laser Cutting
Heat Affected ZoneSmallLarge
Kerf WidthSmallLarge
Cutting SpeedFastSlow
Beam QualityGoodPoor
LifespanLongShort
Equipment CostHighLow
Cutting Edge QualityAverageGood
Applicable MaterialsMetalsNon-metals
Applicable ThicknessThinThick

laser cut tube

Co2 vs fiber laser wave length

CO2 Laser: Operates at a longer wavelength, typically around 10.6 micrometers (µm).  
Fiber Laser: Operates at a much shorter wavelength, typically around 1.06 micrometers (µm).  

This significant difference in wavelength directly impacts how these lasers interact with materials and their suitability for different applications.  

Advantage of fiber laser vs co2 laser

Feature Description
Cutting Performance
Higher Cutting Speed Significantly faster cutting, especially for thin materials.
Superior Cut Quality Produces cleaner cuts with minimal dross and burrs.
Versatility Effective on a wider range of materials, including metals.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Lower Energy Consumption More energy-efficient, leading to lower operating costs.
Reduced Maintenance Less frequent maintenance due to fewer components.
Longer Lifespan Components generally have a longer lifespan.

Disadvantages of co2 laser vs fiber optic laser

  • Fiber laser cutting: Not suitable for cutting certain non-metallic materials, such as wood and plastic.
  • CO2 laser cutting: The cutting speed is slow, the heat affected zone is large, and the cutting edge quality is poor.

Co2 vs fiber laser nitrogen consumption

Feature CO2 Laser Fiber Laser
Nitrogen Consumption Generally lower Generally higher
Reasons * Cutting process typically requires less nitrogen.
* Material types often require less nitrogen.
* Cutting process often requires a higher flow rate.
* Material types like stainless steel demand more nitrogen.
Other Factors * Laser power
* Material thickness
* Cutting speed
* Nozzle type
* Laser power
* Material thickness
* Cutting speed
* Nozzle type
fiber laser cutting machine manufacturers in india

Choose the right laser

Applying:

When selecting the right fiber laser, you need to determine whether you are performing laser cutting, laser engraving, or marking. The choice of material is crucial, as lasers have a significant impact on different materials.

Material Compatibility:

Some highly reflective materials require special processing options for lasers. Make sure the selected laser interacts effectively with the material you require.

Cutting speed and accuracy:

To determine the project, optical fiber, and carbon dioxide can meet the different needs of users in terms of cutting accuracy and speed.

Budget Fiber laser vs co2 laser cost:

When choosing the right fiber laser, it is necessary to have a certain budget, the cost of fiber laser vs CO2 is relatively higher, and it is more inclined to be used in the industrial market.

Conclusion:

The main differences between fiber optic and CO2 lasers are materials, wavelengths, application fields, cutting quality and speed. If you want to choose the right laser, you need to choose the right laser according to your own needs and budget. If you want to know more about lasers, you can contact us or contact us Dowell laser.

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