What is the Difference Between Fiber Laser Machines and CNC Laser Machines?

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Fibers laser Machines vs CNC Laser Machines

By: GlobalStreek Team

As the laser cutting technology which is the most effective in material processing continues to advance, cutting with a laser has become one of the most efficient methods with regards to precision. Among the several modes of laser cutting systems available, Fiber Laser Machines and CNC Laser Machines are used frequently across various fields. Although these machines utilize laser technology to cut, engrave, and mark, they significantly diverge in their structures, functionalities and applications. Businesses, for instance, will benefit from understanding the distinguishing features of these two systems when making equipment purchases for their operations.

In this article we will elaborate on some of the notable differences between the Fiber Laser Machines and the CNC Laser Machines including the technology, advantages and the best utilisation of these machines.

What Are Fiber Laser Machines?

Fiber laser cutting machines generate laser beams from fiber-optic cables. Fiber cutting lasers do not employ gas tubes in their constructions as do the traditional CO₂ lasers. Instead, fiber lasers are equipped with Optical Fibers doped with rare earth materials such as ytterbium which generates high power high efficiency lasers. Recently fiber laser technology is dominating the metal cutting industry especially in industries with the need for precision and speed cutting processes.

Key Features of Fiber Laser Machines:

• Laser Technology: The fiber laser generates a very good amount of energy which is 1.06 microns which is the optimum for the cutting of metals.
• Energy Efficiency: They use less energy and produce very little wasted heat by more effectively converting electrical energy to laser energy than other laser types.
• Maintenance: In addition to this difficulty, fiber laser systems have low maintenance due to their solid-state nature. Moving components are fewer in number which minimizes the risks of age wear and tear.
• Cutting Speed: The main characteristic that makes fiber lasers stand apart are that they are highly efficient even when cutting metals of thin to medium thickness metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, and brass.
• Precision: They give fast cutting with high precision, smooth edges and less HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).

Applications of Fiber Laser Machines:

Fiber Laser machines are common in:

• Metal cutting: Cutting mostly thin and medium thickness metals. The materials include steel, aluminum and brass pipes which are cut through laser.
• Welding: Used in industries or firms which perform with metal stitches.
• Markers and engravers: Good for faster marking of metals and some plastics.
• Automotive and Aerospace: Constraints to highly accurate positioning while cutting in these sectors.

What are CNC Laser Machines?

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) laser machines refer to all laser cut out systems that are computer generated. The word “CNC” relates to this machine having the ability to perform automatic cutting due to a computer written program. A laser machine that is CNC can possess different types of lasers such as CO₂ lasers or fiber LASER.

CNC laser machines are known for their assocation with CO₂ laser but it should be noted that fiber lasers command CNC systems as well. Typically, CNC laser machines are designed for cutting, engraving and marking of different materials regardless of whether it is a metal or a non metal.

Specific Features of the CNC Laser Machines:

• Control System: With the advancement in technology, it is easy to make intricate and complex designs on a workpiece using laser CNC machines due to the automation.
• Laser Type: Laser CNC devices can come with CO2 lasers which produce gas lasers or ll fiber laser conduits which produce a solid state laser.
• CO₂ lasers have wavelengths around 10.6 microns. These Co2 laser tubes are now very effective in not only cutting metals but also other non-metal materials such as acrylic, wood or plastics.
• Fiber lasers on the other hand are usually built into most modern CNC machines to allow fast metal cutting processes almost similar to dedicated fiber laser machines.
• Versatility: It is possible to use a CNC laser system on a range of materials such as metals, plastics wood, and even ceramics.
• Cutting Speed: A particular type of laser gouging is restrictive to work with other materials while some are not. For example CO2 lasers are effective with non-metal materials and also thick metals.

Applications of the CNC Laser Machines:

Some what can be the uses of CNC lasers widely include use in the following places :

• Signage and Advertising: In detail, they are useful in cutting and engraving several non-metal materials such as acrylic, wood, or metals.
• Fabrication: Often used for both cutting metals and non-metals in fabrication and general fabrication shops.
• Prototyping and Customization: Very suitable for making prototypes or custom products which contain detailed engravings.
• Industrial Applications: Used for accurate cuts in automotive, aerospace, and surgical, industries.

What separates Fiber Laser Machines from CNC Laser Machines?

Although both types of machines cut materials using lasers, their basic differences cause some effects on the performance and cost-effectiveness and where they’re best suited.

1. Laser Technology

• Fiber Laser Machines: Interlaces beams of light across thin fibers to concentrate laser light for thinner materials. This technology is quite effective for laser cutting since most metals can be cut with ease.
• CNC Laser Machines: CNC laser refers to the type of control system used on the machine and it can have a CO2 or fiber laser attached.

2. Material Compatibility

• Fiber Lasers: Have more applications in cutting metals like stainless steel, aluminum or brass and reasonably perform cutting in thinner to medium materials.
• CNC Lasers: Can cut a wider range of materials. When a CO2 laser is used, they are able to cut a variety of nonmetals like wood or plastic as well as cutting metals. Fiber laser in CNC systems mainly concentrates cutting of metals.

3. Cutting Speed

• Fiber Lasers: Speeds up when cutting very thin and medium-thickness metals sheet. Faster cutting speeds can be obtained since fiber lasers have more efficient methods to cut through materials.
• CNC Lasers: CO2 type Lasers are slower by nature thus cutting thick materials makes them run slower. They still remain very good in terms of cutting non-metallic material.

4. Energy Efficiency

• Fiber Lasers: Offer low operational costs and better energy efficiency due to the solid state nature of the technology.
• CNC Lasers: CO2 type lasers require more power hence they are less energy-efficient when compared to fiber lasers.

5. Maintenance Requirements

• Fiber Lasers: Maintenance is less since the technology employs solid state systems with a few moving parts.
• CNC Lasers: CO2 laser machines will comparatively require high maintenance because the gases mixtures (CO2, nitrogen etc) for the system has to be changed ar a certain set period

6. Cost

• Fiber Lasers: These may seem expensive at first however, they are cost effective in the long-run since they are energy and maintenance-efficient.
• CNC Lasers: CO2 type CNC Machines would be more cost effective in the short run however they will be inefficient with running costs owing to low energy density and high energy loss factors.

The Most Appropriate Laser Device for Your Business

The decision of picking either a CNC laser machine or a fiber laser machine is determined greatly by the materials you are going to process and your production requirements.

• Metal cutting applications: In this case, if the predominant material to be cut are metals and mostly thin to medium thickness sheets, a fiber laser will suffice since it cuts faster and produces a cleaner edge with less heat-affected zones.
• More capabilities needed: On the other hand, if the needs of an application are quite diverse, such as the need to cut metals as well as other non-metals, it will be better to use a CNC laser machine with a CO₂ laser as it is cheaper and more versatile.
• Precision Machining Applications: When applying cuts that are intricate and those that involve many details, fiber lasers are the most preferable since they perform great cuts on high volumes.

Summary

Each of the two types, that is, fiber laser machines and CNC laser machines, has its respective advantages if they are to be utilized in the manufacturing processes of specific products. Fiber lasers are mostly beneficial because of their high speed, high precision, low energy consumption in metal cutting industries. Conversely, CNC laser systems offer a lot of flexibility in applications and are very good for plastics, metals and wood as well to name a few, mostly powered by CO₂ lasers.

And through knowing those strengths and limitations, one will be able to choose the appropriate laser cutting technology for the company that will enhance, improve cut quality and reduce operational cost. There is a laser that suits the production requirements whether it is speed, precision, or material flexibility that is needed most.

Written by GlobalStreek Team