Laser cutting machines are mainly categorized into CO2 lasers, YAG solid-state lasers, and fiber laser cutting machines. Each type has unique characteristics in production. Below is a comparison of these three common laser cutting machines based on several aspects.
Fiber laser cutting machines offer significantly higher cutting speeds and superior edge quality compared to CO₂ and YAG lasers. They operate at 2-3 times the speed of CO₂ lasers, producing finer cuts with minimal heat impact. Their efficiency and precision make them ideal for metal processing industries.
1. Operation Requirements and Maintenance
CO2 lasers require optical path adjustments before use, as the optical path directly affects cutting quality, necessitating manual adjustments and regular maintenance. YAG solid-state lasers experience significant thermal lensing effects and require frequent maintenance. In contrast, fiber lasers use fiber optic transmission, eliminating the need for adjustments and maintenance, offering high stability and easy operation.
2. Cutting Speed and Quality
Fiber lasers cut at speeds 2-3 times faster than CO2 lasers of the same power, particularly excelling in metal sheet cutting. Among the three, fiber lasers offer the best cutting performance, with narrow kerfs and smooth edges.
3. Material Compatibility and Applications
CO2 lasers are more versatile across various materials, while fiber lasers are better suited for cutting metals, including highly reflective materials like aluminum and copper. This makes fiber lasers ideal for sheet metal fabrication, 3C electronics, and the new energy industry.
4. Energy Consumption and Overall Cost
Fiber lasers have an optical-electrical conversion efficiency of over 30%, while CO2 lasers achieve only 10-15%, and solid-state lasers around 3%. Fiber lasers consume just 20-30% of the electricity used by CO2 lasers of the same power, resulting in lower overall operating costs.
Conclusion
Fiber laser cutting machines offer higher efficiency, better cutting quality, and require no maintenance. However, they have a higher initial purchase cost. For medium and large enterprises, fiber laser systems are a preferred choice due to their superior performance and long-term cost savings.
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