Fiber laser metal cutter – how does it work?

Set 2, 2024

A metal fiber laser cutting machine effortlessly cuts through iron as if it were nothing. Here we explain how a fiber laser works.

What is a laser?

The laser is a type of amplified light that is obtained by stimulated radiation.

Basic laser characteristics

High intensity and brightness

Small wavelength range

Monochrome light

Good coherence and long coherence length

Nice parallel bunder with excellent guidance

Continuous metal melting process

The light energy from the laser beam is absorbed and transformed into heat energy as it strikes the workpiece’s surface. This causes the temperature at the radiation point to rise quickly, melt, and evaporate, creating a tiny pit. Thermal diffusion causes the metal surrounding the spots to melt. A micro-explosion occurs as a result of the metal vapor in the tiny well rapidly expanding. Rapid ejection of the molten material leaves the workpiece with a hole that has a big top and a small bottom.

Fiber Laser Metal Cutter Definition

Fiber laser cutting is a hot cutting method that uses the focused high power density laser beam as the main heat source. Wherever the laser beam strikes a workpiece, it guarantees that the material will soon melt and evaporate. Rapid airflow aids in the simultaneous blowing away of molten material. This process is repeated until the workpiece is cut.

Larger applications have been made possible by the advancement and increased availability of laser sources and fiber optic technologies in recent years. The scope of employment in this area is always expanding due to the amount of research and development that is done.

The 1970s saw the invention of the first laser cutting machine in history. Over the last forty years, numerous businesses have been producing different types of laser cutting machines to suit market demand due to the ongoing advancements in technology and the expansion of applications for these machines. These days, there are specialized machines for cutting 3D laser materials, 2D sheet material, and pipe laser material.

Fiber laser cutting machine prices vary significantly depending on factors such as power capacity, brand, and features. Manufacturers typically offer machines with different specifications to meet various industrial needs, from small businesses to large-scale production facilities. When considering the fiber laser cutting machine price, it is essential to evaluate the long-term benefits, such as lower maintenance costs, higher cutting precision, and faster processing speeds.

There are numerous fiber laser cutting machine manufacturers in the market, each providing unique solutions tailored to specific industries. Leading manufacturers focus on advanced technology, reliable performance, and customer support, ensuring their machines deliver optimal results. When choosing a fiber laser cutting machine, partnering with reputable manufacturers guarantees not only a high-quality product but also comprehensive after-sales service and technical support.

Laser cutting of metal plates

In the field of thin sheet cutting, the traditional CO2 laser and YAG laser is gradually adopted by fiber laser metal cutters, mainly for the following reasons:

Low costs. A fiber laser has a photoelectric conversion efficiency of roughly 30%. YAG lasers have a photoelectric conversion efficiency of only 3%, while CO2 lasers have a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 6 ~ 10%. Furthermore, there are no weak points in the fiber laser source, and maintenance expenses are usually minimal.

Optical fiber lasers have a small volume, lightweight, movable and flexible head so that they can be easily deployed for a wide variety of applications.

By using optical glass fibers for the light guide, the optical light beam length is always constant. As a result, the cut quality is always constant. With CO2 lasers, the light path is not constant, which means more frequent adjustments and the cut quality depends somewhat on the location on the workbed where cutting is done. With fiber laser, the cutting quality or the entire work bed is constant. This also makes it possible to realize large format laser machines without loss of quality when cutting.

The light beam is transmitted through the optical fiber without external reflection mirrors in the optical light path. This results in cost savings, eliminates the need for fine-tuning the optical light path, prevents light path contamination, and reduces the number of moving parts that need to be worn out.

The wavelength of the optical fiber laser (1.06 m) is more easily absorbed by the metal material compared to the wavelength of CO2 (10.6 m). This is especially beneficial for cutting sheet material.

The cutting speed of it is 2 to 4 times higher than with CO2 lasers. At the same time, a fiber laser has a better cutting result for highly reflective material such as aluminum alloy, copper and various copper alloys.

Fiber laser metal cutter process

Lens A. Empty height

Laser beam B. Puncture Height

Air flow C. Cutting height

Cutting line T. Sheet thickness

Molten material

Cutting plane

Nozzle / mouthpiece

Cutting direction