It is appropriate to use different types of laser cutting at different times and places. Customer preferences for fiber laser cutting can be summed up in five reasons. For more information, visit lasit.it.
Fiber optics continue to be used in a variety of applications. Fiber optics have allowed for a rapid increase in data transfer speeds and amounts in the digital, data driven world. Unlike phone lines or copier wiring, fiber optics use beams of light to transmit information instead of using phone lines or copier wiring. Using fiber optic cabling, light can be channeled and amplified to create a powerful light beam 200 percent more efficient than that of a CO2 laser without the costly optical mirrors common to laser cutting systems, which means that light beams are now capable of being sent using lasers. The advantages of fiber laser cutting over other laser cutting methods for businesses that are considering laser cutting or in need of laser cutting services are numerous. Here are five of the most important benefits.
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Less Expensive
Fiber laser cutting has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive. This technology represents a massive cost savings both during the initial purchase and over the lifetime of the laser. Other laser technologies require expensive optical mirrors, which makes it more expensive. Further, the cutting head’s focusing lens is sealed within the cutting head, rather than exposed. The fiber optic focusing lens will, if properly maintained, last the lifetime of the fiber optics instead of becoming damaged and needing constant replacement as with other laser applications.
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No Moving Parts
Maintenance and operating costs are increased when moving parts are involved. Fiber optic cabling does not require moving mirrors to generate laser pulses, as the light pulses are sent through the cable. The power of other types of lasers can be increased by using a rapidly moving mirror. It is necessary to maintain the mirror regularly in order to extend its life. The result is a slowdown in productivity. Nevertheless, if regular maintenance is not performed, the likelihood of material damage increases, which not only takes the laser offline but also increases its operating costs.
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Increased Cutting Speed
It is also possible to increase cutting speed with fiber optic laser cutting. A fiber laser can cut a straight line of 1 mm in thickness three times faster than a traditional laser. Materials such as stainless steel can be cut through in this way. Although the time improvement drops to half as fast when cutting through 2mm thickness, it still represents a significant improvement.
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Material for Cutting Reflectively
The main problem with traditional lasers is their inability to penetrate reflective materials. The laser may bounce off the reflective material, causing damage to the equipment. This is why traditional lasers are not often used when cutting brass, aluminum, or copper. The problem of reflective materials is no longer an issue with fiber optic lasers, allowing them to be cut.
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Increasing the Efficiency Of Electricity
The laser beam produced by conventional CO2 lasers requires a significant amount of energy. Two kW fiber laser cutting setups use a third as much power as four kW CO2 machines. The fiber optic configuration not only saves power, but it also increases the life expectancy of the hardware due to its lower energy requirements.
In Conclusion
There is a time and place for each type of laser. These are five of the most significant advantages fiber optic lasers have over other, more conventional CO2 lasers. Learn more about the right laser cutting process for your material by requesting a quote.
