“Fiber laser or CO2 laser” is a common debate in the manufacturing sector. Some people think that CO2 lasers are better because of their capabilities while others say fiber lasers are better for their higher performance. Nevertheless, there was no right answer to the debate. No laser technology is better than the other. The best choice depends on your application and requirements.
Therefore, the following text will take a look at what fiber and CO2 lasers bring to you and which one should you buy.
Co2 Lasers
Co2 lasers are best suited for a wide range of non-metal materials such as wood, stone, acrylic, plastics, textiles, glass, etc. And they are also widely applied to a lot of industries or production making like pharmaceutical and food packaging, PVC pipe marking, building materials, mobile communications gadgets, electrical appliances, integrated circuits, as well as electronic components. By the way, if you need to cut thick materials above 5 mm, it’s best to go with CO2 lasers because CO2 lasers deliver faster initial piercing times, quicker straight-line cutting, and a smoother surface. However, it should also pay a higher cost due to its stronger power than fiber lasers.
Fiber Lasers
Fiber laser is expert in high-contrast markings and carvings. For example, it is ideal for metal annealing, stainless steel etching, and steel engraving. In addition, fiber lasers also have a growing demand for industrial cleaning applications such as removing rust, paint, oxides, and other contaminants. Besides, they are maintenance-free, which will save customers’ a lot of work time and maintenance costs. And they have a longer service life- a minimum of 100,000 operating hours. One big plus is fiber laser only produces an extremely small focal diameter, up to 100 times stronger than the CO2 laser system. Moreover, fiber lasers save a huge cost for cutting applications. Because they have very high electrical efficiency, and which uses significantly less power than CO2 lasers. And the higher absorption and the power density of the fiber wavelength are combined to achieve up to a five-time increase in cutting speeds in materials that are less than 1/2 inch thick.
Talking to the cost, it will greatly vary depending on your processing requirements. But the cost of CO2 lasers tends to be less than fiber lasers. The fiber laser price often ranges from $15,000 to $100,000, while the CO2 laser price is from $3,000 to $60,000. At the same time, factors like size, power, kits, etc., will also have an impact on the cost.
Words at Last
Each laser does have its strengths and distinct use cases. If you are looking forward to cut and engrave some metal sheets and tubes, a fiber laser machine is an ideal choice. While, if you are looking to process organic materials such as textile, rubber, wood, cardboard, etc, what you should buy is a CO2 laser CNC machine for sale. If you still have other concerns, do not be sorry to ask us for solutions. We DXTECH laser promises to provide you with the best suitable machine and service. Looking forward to your asking.