Choosing the right laser system for your industrial application can be difficult. There are many different uses for lasers to consider as well as a variety of laser machines which may be better suited for your application depending on your needs and resources.
However, when it comes to etching applications, fiber laser engraving machines may be your best bet. While other lasers exist on the market, like CO2 and crystal laser machines, what makes fiber lasers superior? From how fiber lasers work to what to look for in a laser engraving machine for your manufacturing application, we’ve got you covered.
Quick Links:
- What Makes a Fiber Laser Different from Other Lasers?
- Components of a Fiber Laser System
- What to Look for in a Laser Engraving Machine
What Makes a Fiber Laser Different from Other Lasers?
Currently, there are three major types of laser cutting machines in use today: CO2 laser cutters, crystal laser cutters, and fiber laser cutters. Here are some simplified explanations of how each of these laser types work:
- CO2 Lasers. These lasers use a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gasses in a sealed tube. An electric current is passed through the gaseous mixture to produce light and heat for the laser cutter. These lasers are common due to their low price point and efficiency.
- Crystal Lasers. These laser systems use optical crystals (or other substitute materials) as “gain media” to amplify light to laser wavelengths. This makes them “solid state” lasers since the gain medium is a solid, unlike CO2 lasers. Examples of “crystals” used for these lasers include sapphires and rubies, among others. The crystals may be “doped” or modified with rare earth ions from neodymium, ytterbium, or erbium to increase their power. These lasers tend to be high-powered and can cut through thicker materials, often being used for metals, plastics, and ceramic compounds. However, their high output can put wear on the laser’s components, requiring frequent replacement or refurbishment to maintain peak operating efficiency.
- Fiber Lasers. Like crystal lasers, fiber lasers are “solid-state” lasers that pass a light source through a solid medium modified with rare earth elements. However, unlike crystal lasers, fiber lasers use a specially-designed type of optical fiber as the “solid medium” for focusing the light to pass it into the laser cavity. Where crystal lasers are noted for their high rate of wear, fiber lasers are known for their extraordinary durability—lasting for thousands of hours of use before requiring major refit/repair. Additionally, these lasers can cut reflective materials that would be hazardous to cut with CO2 lasers. Fiber lasers are often used for cutting both metallic and organic materials because they generate little waste heat beyond the cutting site.
The first fiber laser was made and used in 1961 by Elias Snitzer (Source: ETHW). However, it wasn’t until decades later that the power of fiber laser machines was increased to the point of practicality for major industrial applications. For many modern manufacturers, fiber lasers provide the optimal mix of efficiency, ease of maintenance, and cost—making them ideal for a variety of applications.
Also, the low level of waste heat generated at weld sites makes fiber laser cutting and engraving machines ideal for use on manufacturing tasks that involve working around delicate components. For example, if you’re welding or engraving within 0.05mm (0.002”) of another intricate component requiring precise tolerances where the slightest deviation would result in parts rejections, then a fiber laser would be the best choice since it wouldn’t produce as much warping in the surrounding material as a higher-powered crystal laser.
However, there are applications where the more powerful crystal laser cutting solution or the more affordable CO2 laser system may be desirable. When choosing the best laser for your needs and budget, be sure to consult with a laser systems expert.
Components of a Fiber Laser System
Fiber laser engraving machines and cutting machines may have a variety of different components based on the specific type of work they’re designed for. However, the key components of the laser emitter are:
- Laser Pump Diodes. This light source is “pumped” through the fiber to create the laser emissions used to cut and engrave materials.
- Pump Laser Combiner. This component passes light from the diodes past the high-reflective fiber Bragg grating and feeds it into the fiber material.
- High Reflectivity Fiber Bragg Grating. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) blocks certain wavelengths of light to keep it trapped in the “laser cavity” created by the optical fiber.
- Doped Optical Fiber. The component for which fiber laser cutting machines are named. This optical fiber is enriched (or “doped”) with rare earth materials like neodymium or erbium. Optical fibers offer a high surface area compared to the volume of light that travels through them—making them excellent at removing excess heat.
- Low Reflectivity Fiber Bragg Grating. A second FBG with lower reflectivity is placed at the opposite end of the laser cavity to allow light that has reached the desired wavelength through.
- Fiber Laser Output. A focused laser emitter head that allows laser output through in a controlled and focused direction.
The above components are specific to solid-state fiber lasers and are what help make them so efficient and low-maintenance since they produce very little waste heat and have few moving parts compared to CO2 or crystal laser systems.
What to Look for in a Fiber Laser Engraving Machine
When shopping for fiber laser engraving or cutting machines, what should you look for? The first step is defining your application. What kind of parts are you engraving, welding, or cutting? Are you going to be working with the same parts repeatedly or will part dimensions and compositions vary significantly?
This can be important for finding the right laser welder or engraver for your needs. For example, if you’re going to be working with a wide variety of parts, having a more modular laser welding machine may be useful. The 7601 series FiberStar Welding Workstation has removable welding chambers that can be custom configured to a wide range of laser welding applications to be useful for varied production lines.
Meanwhile, the 8900 series FiberStar CNC Welding Workstation features a joystick-controlled, 3-axis manual laser cutter as well as computer numerically controlled (CNC) automation for repeating manually-programmed motions to enable custom laser manufacturing production at scale.
Some key things to look for in a fiber laser marking or cutting machine include:
- Whether the Laser Source Is Sealed. The key feature of many fiber laser cutting machines is their relative lack of need for maintenance. A sealed laser source helps prevent contaminants from getting into the fiber laser system—minimizing the risk of wear and tear from exposure to dust and other contaminants incidental to industrial settings.
- System Wattage. How powerful is the laser? To help keep operating costs down, it’s important to use a laser that has enough wattage to cut the materials you need without generating excess heat or consuming more energy than needed.
- Modularity. How easy is it to customize the machine to adapt to different product lines and needs? Do parts of the machine need to be replaced to accommodate different parts, or can the CNC system be set to manage different motions for different cutting, engraving, or welding projects?
- Ease of Use. How easy is it to learn how to use the laser system? Does the manufacturer provide ongoing education and training in how to use the machine so your team can “hit the ground running,” so to speak?
Finding the right laser cutting machine for your needs can be difficult. There are a lot of options out there and not every machine is suitable for every application. But, by spending some time researching your options and speaking to laser system specialists, you can find the right system for your needs.
Need help picking out the perfect fiber laser welder, engraver, or cutter for your needs? Reach out to LaserStar today to speak to an expert and get advice!
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