Author: Michelle Britton

Introduction

As a maker of CO2 laser cutting machines with yield control from 2.2 to 6 kW and genuine fiber laser machines running from 2 to 4 kW, Bystronic UK Limited, Coventry, UK, is regularly gotten some information about the advantages of each sort of machine and which is better for explicit applications. As there is regularly some disarray in the commercial center, David Larcombe, overseeing executive of Bystronic UK, traces underneath the advantages and disadvantages of the two innovations.

Fiber lasers

Quickly, fiber laser light is made by banks of diodes. The light is diverted and enhanced through fiber optic link like that utilized for information move. The intensified light, on leaving the fiber link, is collimated or fixed and after that engaged by a focal point onto the material to be cut. Making of the light is 200% more effective than by means of a customary CO2 laser, and conveyance is far less difficult, with no costly optical mirrors. The centering focal point, dissimilar to on a regular CO2 laser machine, is fixed in the cutting head and accordingly not a consumable thing.

CO2 laser

The burdens of fiber contrasted with CO2 for the most part relate with the cutting velocity when handling thicker materials, ordinarily over 5 mm, where the CO2 machine is quicker in a straight line and furthermore has a lot quicker puncturing occasions toward the beginning of the cut. There is likewise the upside of a smoother surface completion with the CO2 machine when cutting thicker materials. Consequently, what can be derived from the insights and encounters of our UK clients that have purchased fiber and in some cases additionally CO2 laser profilers from Bystronic?

Brattonsound Engineering

Brattonsound Engineering, Sutton, UK, supplanted a three-year-old, 2.2 kW CO2 laser with a 2 kW fiber laser cutting machine. The organization slices flimsy materials chiefly up to 2 mm for its scope of gas shoot and firearm safes.

Underway, the machine surpassed desires, with certain homes of parts cut multiple times quicker than on the old CO2 machine. Normal improvement was a multiplying of cutting rate. The general nature of cut parts was as great, even with the quicker cutting paces, and increasingly predictable quality was accomplished over the whole sheet.

ICEE

The Waterlooville, UK, fabricating plant of ICEE Managed Services is an innovator in creation, walled in area items, and laser profiling. The organization supplanted a CO2 laser with an also estimated 2 kW fiber machine in mid-2011. Chris Arnold, key building account supervisor at ICEE clarified that the organization embraces a recurrent contract to manufacture electrical walled in areas for a standard client and have constantly cut the material on a more seasoned 2 kW laser. The total request used to take a little more than 38 hours on that machine and, with set-ups, it would tie up the machine for the entire week. In any case, during the first run through ICEE ran the group on the new fiber machine, part path through Monday the administrator asked the generation director what he needed him to do straightaway. He had finished the earlier week-long request in only six hours. For more information visit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HACO_fiber_laser_cutting_machine.jpg

Conclusion

What are the ends to be drawn from this assessment? In outline, Bystronic UK’s experience so far is that the organizations destined to receive the new fiber innovation are subcontractors, either those that spend significant time in cutting meager metal, for example, for purpose of-offer sheet metal work and white merchandise, or firms utilizing a fiber machine’s qualities to supplement CO2 laser cutting machines cutting thicker evaluations of plate.

When choosing between these two technologies there are several factors that need to be considered. Ultimately your choice between these two is going to come down to the type and the thickness of the material you intend to cut. Fiber technology can cut many materials that CO2 can cut including copper, brass, and aluminum safer and better than CO2 technology. This is because the beam in fiber technology is more readily absorbed and not reflected. On the other hand, CO2 technology can produce better edge quality on aluminum workpieces and thick plate stainless that fiber technology may be unable to achieve. In this article, we are going look at the advantages and drawbacks of each technology with a view to help you to choose the right one for you.

Advantages of Fiber Technology

• No Moving Parts

There are no mirrors or moving parts in fiber lasers, this means that once this is set up you can get working from the get-go. Also, none of the parts of a fiber laser come out of alignment. This helps to reduce costly production downtime.

• Lower Cost of Maintenance

With ‘fit and forget’ technology that is synonymous with fiber technology, there is no need to worry about servicing or maintenance cycle.

• Electrical Efficiency

When it comes to electricity, fiber lasers are a lot more efficient. This means a lower running cost and a more Eco-friendly machine. For instance, a 3kw fiber laser uses only 1/3 of the power consumed by a 4kw CO2 laser.

• Good With Thin Materials

Although fiber technology is good at cutting materials of all thickness, they are better at cutting thin materials. Also, this technology is 3x faster at cutting a stainless steel with a thickness of 1mm and 2x faster if the same material is 2mm thick.

• Reflective Materials

One of the major advantages fiber technology has over CO2 lasers is that they can cut reflective materials without having to worry about the back reflections that is capable of damaging the machine.

The main advantage fiber technology has when compared to CO2 technology is the cutting speed of thicker materials. Fiber lasers can’t cut materials above 5mm thickness.

Advantages of CO2 Technology

• Works Well With Thicker Materials

Although fiber lasers can also cut thick materials, CO2 lasers tend to do this job better. They will usually leave a surface finish that is smoother than you get with fiber lasers.

• Faster in a Straight Line

They have a quicker piercing time when you start to cut with this technology and they are also faster at cutting in a straight line.

• Disadvantages of CO2 Technology

The main disadvantages of this technology are where the advantages of fiber technology lie. CO2 lasers are quite sensitive and may require alignment. Once they get knocked out of place, it would require an expert to come in to fix it. This can lead to long periods of downtime when the laser is not put to productive use. This also means a higher cost of maintenance as regular servicing may be required. More details.

Deciding which of this technology is right for you is a matter of reviewing the materials used and applications. While one business might gain from the speed of a fiber laser, another might need the cutting quality of CO2 technology.

A co2 laser tube is, without a doubt, a really handy and cool tool if you or your company is into fabrication. Laser cutters are flexible, functional and if you are willing to visit the extra mile you can produce very seriously impressive results.

So, if you’re out there on the market looking to buy one, you’ll want to be certain you’re making the best, smart purchase. Where would you start? Well below are 6 factors that will definitely help you create an informed decision.

What Type of Laser Cutters is Best for You?

Quite simply, there are two main types of laser beam cutters:

• CO2 Laser beam Cutter.
• Fiber Laser beam Cutters.

Use of Laser beam Cutter

Consider the next questions in regard to planned use of your laser cutter.

• What type of materials do you intend to process?
• Will you be slicing or engraving or doing both?
• How heavy are your materials?

What Size Machine Works Best for THE APPLICATION?

Other than budget, consider the space available to mount your laser beam cutter and how big is materials you want to process. Needless to say, you must have enough space where you plan to install your cutter. There should be sufficient space to go about the cutter comfortably.

Ample space surrounding the cutter is important, particularly if you need to go the materials on the foundation and for maintenance purposes. The laser beam cutter bed must also be large enough to carry the material you will be chopping. Check all the doorways leading to the space, where you plan to install your cutter and make sure your machine will fit through all of them.

Type of co2 laser tube

The laser pipe is the center of your laser lowering machine and the quantity of ‘heart and soul’ you’ll need is proportionate to the kind of cutter you will be operating.  Certainly, if you have a fiber content machine, you’ll need a fiber laser tube.  And, the same pertains to the CO2 machine, which will need co2 laser tube. The CO2 laser tubes are calm reliable and previous between 5,000 to 10,000 machine time while those for fibre machines last over 100,000 time.

When shopping for laser tubes, make certain to consider the wattage as those with an increased value last longer. Tubes with less wattage are cheaper, but generally, have a shorter lifespan. It is important to always ensure the maker has indicated that the tubes are lab examined. Click here.

Reputable and Reliable Company

Although you can buy your laser beam cutters from a number of manufacturers surrounding the world, manufacturers from America seem to be to be the best option. Co2 laser tube backed in the United States by US citizens tend to adhere to higher-quality control expectations.

They may be popular for their ‘over-the-top’ customer support both before and after sales.  Boss’ support personnel has received some very nice reviews. You may never fail with the corporation! There you own it! A lot of men and women are apprehensive about how to buy a co2 laser tube.