What Is A Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

06 Mar What Is A Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

Fiber laser cutting machines represent a pivotal advancement in the manufacturing industry, offering a blend of precision, efficiency, and versatility that traditional cutting technologies struggle to match.

At the heart of this innovation is the fiber laser, a device that generates a high-intensity laser beam through an optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements.

This technology has revolutionized how materials are cut, engraved, and processed across various sectors.

Unlike conventional cutting methods such as flame-cutting, plasma and high power CO2 laser cutting, fiber lasers deliver unparalleled accuracy and speed, enabling manufacturers to achieve intricate designs and tight tolerances with minimal waste and reduced operational costs.

Moreover, the adaptability of fiber laser cutting machines to work with a wide array of materials, their low maintenance requirements, and their ability to operate with minimal downtime have further cemented their status as a cornerstone of modern manufacturing.

You can learn more about fiber lasers vs CO2 lasers here.

So, what is a fibre laser cutting machine?

How Does A Fiber Laser Cutter Work?

A fiber laser cutter works by guiding a laser beam along a fiber optic cable to a focusing lens, which sharply focuses the beam on a designated spot of the material. This generates significant heat, causing the material to melt, burn away, or vaporize, delivering a sharp, clean cut with high precision.

The heart of a laser device is the gain medium, a material that amplifies light. This medium can be a mixture of gases, liquid, solid, or semiconductors.

When energy, often from an electrical current or another light source, is introduced to the gain medium, it excites the atoms within, elevating electrons to higher energy levels. As these electrons return to their original levels, they emit photons.

To ensure that the light amplifies sufficiently, lasers use a pair of mirrors at either end of the gain medium, forming an optical cavity. One mirror is fully reflective, bouncing all the light back into the medium, while the other is partially reflective, allowing some light to escape.

The light that escapes is the laser beam.

In the context of fiber laser cutting machines and unlike how CO2 lasers work, the gain medium in the laser cavity is a fiber doped with rare-earth elements such as erbium, ytterbium, or neodymium.

These fibers amplify light passed through them from the laser source (a solid-state laser), and because the fiber itself acts as the waveguide for the light, it can produce extremely fine, focused beams.

So, What Can Fiber Laser Machines Cut?

These advanced machines utilise fiber laser technology to generate a high-powered, focused beam of light that can effortlessly cut through a wide range of metals, making them indispensable tools in various manufacturing processes, equally capable when working with both thin and thick materials.

Depending on the size of your machine and the laser source power, you can expect to be able to process the following types of materials:

Metals

Fiber Lasers excel in cutting various metals, including carbon steels, stainless steel, aluminium sheet metal, brass, titanium and copper.

They can handle different thicknesses and types of metal with precision and speed, making them ideal for industries requiring metal fabrication.

Steel, known for its strength and durability, can be precisely cut for automotive, construction, and shipbuilding applications. Aluminium, lightweight yet strong, is commonly used in aerospace and consumer electronics, where precision cuts from industrial lasers are essential.

Copper, with its excellent electrical conductivity, is often used in electrical components and often requires the precision that fiber laser-cutting machines can provide.

Benefits & Advantages of Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Fiber laser cutting technology stands out in the manufacturing industry for its exceptional benefits, ranging from its precision to its environmental advantages.

High Precision and Accuracy

One of the most significant advantages of fiber laser cutting is its unparalleled precision and accuracy.

The technology allows for extremely fine cuts, with a minimal kerf width, enabling intricate designs and tight tolerances that are often beyond the capabilities of traditional cutting methods.

This precision is crucial in industries where even the slightest deviation can compromise the functionality or safety of a component, such as in aerospace and medical device manufacturing.

Efficiency and Speed

Fiber laser cutters are renowned for their efficiency and speed, capable of cutting materials much faster than mechanical cutting methods (depending on the laser power of course).

This speed is not just about the raw cutting pace; it also includes reduced setup times and faster processing, as the technology allows for quick adjustments to cut different materials and shapes.

The result is a significant reduction in turnaround times, enabling manufacturers to increase productivity and meet tight deadlines.

Low Maintenance and Operating Costs

Compared to traditional cutting technologies, fiber laser cutters require less maintenance and have lower operational costs. The fiber laser setup has fewer moving parts and requires little in the way of maintenance of moving parts and optical adjustment of mirrors, which are often needed in other types of laser cutting.

This reduction in maintenance and consumable costs contributes to a lower total cost of ownership and operation over time.

Environmental Benefits: Energy Efficiency and Minimal Waste

Fiber cutting technology is not only efficient in terms of speed and precision but also in its use of energy.

It is much more energy-efficient than conventional cutting methods, leading to lower electricity consumption and reduced environmental impact.

This efficiency, combined with the reduced need for consumables makes fiber laser cutting a more sustainable choice for the manufacturing industry.

Buying Considerations: What You Need To Know

Before jumping in and choosing a machine, it’s important you know about what you’re getting yourself in for. Below are just some of the important things you’ll need to be aware of before making an informed decision.

Initial Investment Costs: How Much Do Fiber Lasers Cost?

The adoption of fiber laser cutting technology, while offering numerous benefits, comes with significant initial investment costs.

These costs include not only the purchase price of the fiber laser cutting machine itself but also the expenses related to installation, setup, and integration into existing manufacturing systems.

Additionally, the need for auxiliary equipment, such as cooling systems and dust extraction units, further adds to the initial outlay.

However, it’s important to consider these costs in light of the long-term savings and efficiency gains: reduced operational costs, minimal maintenance, and the ability to cut a wide range of materials can offset the initial investment over time.

Our range of fiber laser machines starts at £34,700 +VAT (at the time of writing), but more custom builds can cost considerably more.

Technical Skill Requirements for Operation and Maintenance

Operating and maintaining a fiber laser cutting machine requires a certain level of technical skill and training.

Operators should understand the principles of laser cutting and the specifics of the machine’s software, although the optimal settings for different materials and thicknesses and provided by way of a settings library supplied with the machine. This library is tested and proven to the individual machine by HPC engineers during installation.

Effective operation also involves knowledge of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software, as these are often used to design the parts and control the machine.

Check out our full guide that looks at some of the best laser cutting software here.

Maintenance, while generally less frequent than with other types of cutting equipment, demands a thorough understanding of the machine’s components and the ability to troubleshoot and perform repairs as needed.

Training for operators and maintenance personnel is essential to ensure the machine’s optimal performance and longevity. The team at HPC Laser can help with staff training.

Safety Considerations: Protective Measures and Equipment

Safety is paramount when operating fiber laser cutting machines, given the potential hazards associated with high-powered lasers.

Proper protective measures and equipment are essential to safeguard operators and bystanders.

This can include protective machine enclosures with safety switches, wearing appropriate safety glasses to protect against eye injury from laser radiation, ensuring adequate ventilation to remove harmful fumes and dust generated during cutting, and using protective barriers to prevent accidental exposure to the laser beam.

Additionally, comprehensive safety training for all personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of the machine is crucial.

This training should cover the risks associated with laser cutting, emergency procedures, and the use of safety features integrated into the machine, such as interlocks and emergency stop buttons.

Summing Up

In conclusion, fibre laser machines represent a transformative advancement in the manufacturing industry, offering a blend of precision, efficiency, and versatility that is unparalleled by traditional cutting methods.

While the initial investment and technical skill requirements may pose challenges, the long-term benefits—including reduced operational costs, minimal maintenance, and significant environmental advantages—make fiber laser cutting a compelling choice for businesses aiming to enhance their production capabilities and sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

To finish off the article, here are some answers to some commonly asked questions.

Why Are Fiber Lasers So Much More Expensive Than Non-Metal CO2 Lasers ?

Fiber lasers utilize sophisticated technology that includes a fiber optic cable doped with rare-earth elements as the gain medium. This technology is more complex and costly to develop and manufacture than the technology used in traditional lasers.

Can Fiber Lasers Cut Acrylic?

For cutting acrylic, CO2 lasers are the preferred choice. CO2 lasers operate at a different wavelength (10.6 micrometers), which is well-absorbed by acrylic and other clear plastics. This allows the CO2 laser to efficiently cut through acrylic, producing a clean, polished edge that is often desirable for aesthetic purposes or for applications requiring precision.

Can Fiber Lasers Cut Wood?

While fiber lasers excel in applications requiring high precision and efficiency in metal processing and are celebrated for their speed, low maintenance, and operational cost-effectiveness, their capabilities do not extend effectively to wood cutting.

Can Fiber Lasers Cut Metal?

Fiber laser cutting machines excel in processing various metals, including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper, and titanium, among others. The technology behind fiber lasers makes them particularly suited for metal cutting.

Can Fiber Lasers Cut Glass?

Fiber lasers typically emit light at a wavelength of about 1.06 micrometers, which is not efficiently absorbed by glass. Instead of being absorbed, the laser energy tends to pass through the clear glass without affecting it significantly, making it ineffective for cutting.

Can Fiber Lasers Cut Plastic?

Fiber lasers can cut certain types of plastics, but their effectiveness largely depends on the specific plastic material’s composition and color. CO2 lasers are typically more suitable for cutting or engraving plastics.