How to Choose Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

Over the last two decades, fiber laser systems have steadily grown in popularity across numerous industries. Used to mark industrial product quantities, etch codes into parts and components, and cut diverse materials, fiber lasers are versatile machines that can complete today’s most demanding applications.

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Fiber laser technology was first developed in the s, but it wasn’t until the early s that fiber laser systems became viable options for manufacturing and packaging operations. As fiber laser technology became more cost-effective, large-scale operations began using fiber systems to cut materials and mark their goods with durable text and sharp images. Today, fiber laser technology is becoming increasingly accessible to companies of different sizes and specialties, causing many operations to consider adopting fiber laser systems.

Most commonly, fiber laser systems are used to mark products and packaging in the following industries:

If you are looking for a new fiber laser system or are interested in switching over to laser from a different solution, this fiber laser buying guide lays out everything you need to know about fiber laser technology and explains how to select the best system for your needs.

Fiber Laser 101: How Fiber Laser Systems Work and What Makes Them Different from Other Laser Marking Systems

Before we delve into how to select a specific fiber laser system, it’s important that you understand some key fiber laser operating principles.

Click here to jump straight to the Fiber Laser Buying Guide’s section on system specifications and key considerations.

Fiber laser is just one laser technology available on the market today, along with CO2, UV, and other laser system options. These different laser options each have operating principles that influence:

• Material compatibility
• Application possibilities
• Operating expenses
• Maintenance requirements 

Although specific principles differ from one laser technology to the next, all of these systems generate beams using the same general process.

Every laser system is built with a “gain medium,” which is a material that can amplify light. Also known as a “laser medium” or “active medium,” gain mediums can be solid, gas, or liquid, and these different materials affect the system’s beam qualities. Depending on what kind of material a laser system uses as a gain medium, the system will fall under one of these three categories:

1. Solid-state laser
2. Gas laser
3. Liquid laser

To create a beam, laser systems use “pump sources” (i.e., external power supplies) to energize the gain medium through a process called “pumping.” Laser systems can use various pump sources, including flashlamps, electrical currents, and radio frequencies. By pumping the gain medium, laser systems excite the material into releasing photons.

On a basic level, laser systems take these released photons and use mirrors to increase energy and form a beam. Once the beam is strong enough, the system releases it toward the substrate to complete the intended application.

Fiber Laser Specifics: Operating Principles and Compatible Materials

With the above details in mind, we can examine how fiber laser systems work and explore what they can do.

Fiber lasers are solid-state systems that use fiber optic cables as gain mediums. These cables are lined or “doped” with rare earth ions that are ideal for receiving, storing, and emitting large amounts of energy. Put simply, fiber laser systems mark, engrave, and cut materials by:

1. Using a laser diode, arc lamp, or similar light source to inject energy into the optic fiber, causing the rare earth ions to emit photons.
2. Allowing the released photons to bounce within the fiber to increase energy.
3. Funneling the photons toward a mirrored optical cavity where the photons are focused into a beam.
4. Emitting the beam towards the substrate to complete the intended application.

These operating principles enable fiber lasers to mark, engrave, and cut a wide variety of materials with reliable speed and accuracy. Other popular laser systems, such as CO2 and UV laser models, can complete similar applications, but not always on the same materials.

Fiber, CO2, and UV laser systems all produce beams at different wavelengths, which significantly influence which materials they are compatible with. See the chart below for a general overview of which materials these systems are compatible with.

Material Category Material Fiber Laser CO2 Laser UV Laser Wood, Paper, and Board Wood ✔ ✔ ✖ Thermal Label ✔ ✔ ✖ Paper ✔ ✔ ✖ Board ✔ ✔ ✖ Metallized Board ✔ ✔ ✖ Glass Glass ✖ ✔ ✔ Glass Fiber ✔ ✔ ✔ Ceramic Ceramic ✔ ✔ ✔ Plastics Polypropylene (PP) ✔ ✔ ✔ Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) ✔ ✔ ✔ High-density polyethylene (HDPE) ✔ ✔ ✔ ABS ✔ ✖ ✔ Polyacetal (POM: polyoxymethylene) ✔ ✔ ✔ Polyamide (PA) ✔ ✔ ✔ Polycarbonate (PC) ✔ ✖ ✔ Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ✖ ✔ ✔ Metals Steel ✔ ✔ ✔ Galvanized Steel ✔ ✔ ✔ Aluminum ✔ ✔ ✔ Titanium ✔ ✔ ✔ Copper ✔ ✖ ✔ Brass ✔ ✖ ✔

• ✔ = Full compatibility 
• ✔ = Limited compatibility
• ✖ = No compatibility

Cutting, Marking, and Engraving: The Three Most Common Fiber Laser Applications

As displayed in the chart above, fiber laser systems offer excellent compatibility with numerous materials, especially metals and plastics. Due to these specifications, fiber laser systems are most commonly utilized by companies working with:

• Metal sheets
• Metal pipes
• Aluminum cans, foil, and bottles
• Plastic bags
• Plastic bottles
• Rigid plastic materials
• Plastic PVC pipes
• Tetra Pak® and aseptic packaging
• Flexible packaging
• Shrinkwrap and flexible film

Depending on a company’s operational needs, fiber laser systems may be used to cut, mark, or engrave these materials. However, not all fiber systems are capable of completing this full range of applications.

Fiber laser systems may be versatile, but cutting, marking, and engraving all require different specifications to succeed. Cutting is the most demanding application, and success hinges on a few different factors. The two most important elements are:

• System power: Fiber laser system power is generally measured in watts (W), with models ranging from 10W to 10,000W. The more powerful a system is, the better it is at cutting various materials. While a 10W system will not be able to cut anything, a 40W system may be able to cut thin plastic sheets, a 200-500W system will reliably cut thick plastic, and a 500W system will cut through thin sheet metal. 
• Material thickness: The thicker a substrate is, the more power that is needed to cut through it. If you are planning to cut thin plastic sheets, you can find a relatively affordable 100W system to complete the application. For metals—especially thicker metals used to produce pipes and other building materials—you will need at least a 1,000W system for reliable success. 

Due to the substantial power requirements needed to cut materials, most fiber laser systems on the market are designed for marking and engraving applications.

As with cutting, marking and engraving requires different power levels depending on what kind of materials you are working with. If you need to mark or engrave images, codes, and messages on metal products, you will need at least a 10W system. To create these markings at an efficient speed, you should highly consider a system around 50W. For plastics, composites, and other non-metallic materials, a 10W-20W system will suffice.

Regardless of whether you are working with metal or plastic, the more powerful and well-built your system is, the better your results. Consider InkJet, Inc.’s FF fiber laser marking machine, for example. The FF is a 50W system designed to create long-lasting codes and highly-defined images (see the marking example to the right and the engraving example below). Thanks to the FF’s 50W power output, well-built design, and high-quality software, the system is able to:

Your Fiber Laser Buying Guide: Key Specs and Considerations When Selecting a New System

With the abundance of fiber laser options available today, it’s important to have a firm understanding of a few key considerations as you decide which system is right for you. These factors include:

1. What materials you plan to work with (e.g., steel vs. aluminum, rigid PVC plastic vs. flexible PET film, etc.).
2. What applications do you need to complete (e.g., cutting steel vs. engraving QR codes into aluminum vs. marking plastic with alphanumeric messages).
3. How many products/materials you need to cut, engrave, or mark per day.
4. Your budget for initial investment and ongoing cost factors.

The best way to know whether a system can meet all of these requirements is to speak with an expert, such as a member of the InkJet, Inc. sales team. However, you can also gather a general idea of a system’s capabilities by looking at a few key specifications.

Below, we explain what these specifications are, why they matter, and how they influence a fiber laser system’s performance.

Laser Power

As previously mentioned, laser power has a large influence on what applications a fiber laser system can complete, what materials it can work with, and how quickly it can process products.

Given that laser applications have so many variables, it is difficult to definitively state whether a machine can complete specific tasks by looking at laser power alone. A more helpful practice is to examine your application needs, understand the general power range required to complete them, and then search for systems within that range.

The following table is a good starting point.

Fiber Laser Application Required Laser Power Range Marking/Engraving Thin Plastic Sheets 10W-20W Marking/Engraving Rigid Plastic  30W-50W Marking/Engraving Plastic at High Speeds 50W Marking/Engraving Soft Metal 20W Marking/Engraving Stainless Steel 30W-50W Marking/Engraving Metal at High Speeds 50W Cutting Plastic Sheets 40-80W Cutting Rigid Plastic  50W-100W Cutting Metal Sheets 500W Cutting Metal Parts 1,000W

Marking Area

“Marking area” refers to the space within which a fiber laser system can create codes, images, and markings. Like “print height” with continuous inkjet and thermal inkjet printers, the marking area determines a laser system’s maximum code/image size.

Beyond max code size, marking area is also important because fiber laser systems can be programmed to mark or engrave multiple substrates in one task. For example, if you are placing lot codes on food cans, a large marking area and the right production line setup will allow you to mark multiple cans with one task.

The marking area varies from one fiber laser to the next and can range from a few square millimeters to several hundred. There is no “standard” marking area, so we recommend that you speak with an expert if you are unsure about which size will meet your needs.

Marking Speed

If you plan to use a fiber laser system for marking and engraving, it’s essential to find a system that meets your output needs.

For example, if you run a high-volume bottling operation, you need a system that can match the speed of your production line. To meet the requirements of different line setups, fiber laser systems are built with different speed capabilities. The fastest models on the market can operate on lines moving above 900 m/min, although most operations will not require such extreme speeds. Most manufacturing and packaging companies can meet their output needs with a model that operates on lines moving at 200-600 m/min.

Beyond line speed, characters per second is another important marking metric. It refers to the quantity of numbers, letters, and symbols that a fiber laser system can create in one second. Characters per second is particularly important for text-heavy applications and alphanumeric code marking, as it helps companies determine if a system can meet their coding needs.

2,000 characters per second is the standard specification for industrial fiber laser systems, but be aware that this metric is influenced by factors such as code complexity and substrate material. As with other specifications, it’s important to speak with the manufacturer or supplier of your potential laser system to discuss how the system will fit into your operation.

Marking Precision

Marking precision refers to the level of consistent accuracy at which a fiber laser system marks substrates. High precision means that codes adhere to the intended size, position, and shape of the image design without deviation or error. Lower precision increases the risk of distorted characters, misplaced markings, and inconsistent coloring.

Unlike marking speed or marking area, marking precision is not quantified by a standard metric. Instead, it is influenced by various factors, including:

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• The quality and alignment of the optical system (i.e., the lenses, mirrors, etc.)
• The quality of the motion control system (i.e., the motors, controllers, etc.)
• How advanced the software is
• Overall system design quality

Beyond these factors, your facility environment and substrate choice will also influence the precision of any fiber laser system. Speak with your different suppliers to learn how accurate their system options are and how your facility/products may influence marking precision.

Software Connectivity and Integration

You should always seek out fiber laser systems that can be seamlessly integrated into your production processes, workflows, and information systems. Most models offer multiple connectivity options (USB, Ethernet, wi-fi, etc.), interface options (digital I/O ports, Serial RS-232, etc.), and other ways to communicate with a PLC or remote system. Matching a system to your existing processes is an excellent way to ensure an intuitive and efficient workflow.

Maintenance Requirements and Manufacturer Support

Compared to inkjet printers, fiber laser systems have minimal maintenance requirements. Aside from periodically wiping lenses, replacing filters, and checking system alignment, fiber lasers have few or no ongoing maintenance concerns. Of course, all fiber laser systems are unique, so maintenance requirements may change a bit from model to model.

As you consider your different options, make sure to speak directly with your potential suppliers to understand the day-to-day maintenance needs and long-term requirements that will ensure excellent results. You should also inquire about general support options from your supplier, including:

• Available technical support
• Provided training and education
• Warranties
• Installation services
• Spare part availability

Fiber laser systems are complex machines, so it’s important to partner with a company that can help you find the right solution for your facility, properly install it, and provide ongoing support throughout the system's years in service.

Upfront Cost

Compared to other marking options, fiber laser systems are known for their relatively high upfront prices. Depending on your power requirements, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $10,000 to well above $100,000 on a system.

However, higher price tags do not always equal better quality. For example, many coding and marking companies significantly inflate the prices of their laser models to discourage customers from choosing them over continuous inkjet or thermal inkjet printers. The logic is that ongoing fluid purchases are more profitable over time than laser system purchases. As a result, companies like Videojet charge customers close to $50,000 for a laser system, while companies like InkJet, Inc. that do not inflate prices will sell equivalent options for less than $20,000.

To ensure a good deal, you should take an exhaustive look at all of your viable options, compare specifications, speak to an expert, and make an educated decision on which systems are worth the asking price.

Are you planning to buy a laser machine? Selecting laser equipment is never a simple thing. Researching laser types, machines’ features and technical parameters, and how different materials are affected by laser could be overwhelming, especially with the myriad options available on the market. Equally important is to estimate the equipment benefits and the return on your investment to get the best value for your money. 

Before you start your search, you should ask yourself a few questions. In this post, we will discuss ten essential factors to consider when purchasing a fiber laser machine. We will help you focus on your needs and provide valuable insights to assist you in making an informed decision and choosing the right fiber laser machine.

1. Fiber Laser Machine Application: Pro vs. Hobby

Fiber laser machines are highly versatile and can be used for various applications in different industries, they became valuable tools for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Moreover, these machines are popular among hobbyists, craftsmen, small-scale manufacturers, and entrepreneurs who want to expand their businesses or start new ones. They are also commonly used in small workshops or garage-based businesses. 

If you are looking for equipment for your business, device productivity should be at the top of your requirements. You should consider the following productivity key factors:

1. Power - Fiber lasers for industrial use typically have higher power output than those for home use. With higher power you have more flexibility, and you can process thicker materials and complete jobs faster
2. Capabilities - Industrial fiber lasers are designed to handle heavy-duty cutting and welding tasks, such as cutting thick metal sheets, welding large structures, and marking on large surfaces. In contrast, home-use fiber lasers are usually designed for more hobbyist or DIY applications such as small parts cutting or engraving.
3. Features - Industrial fiber lasers often have advanced features such as high precision and accuracy, high speed, high-quality beam quality, and high stability. Home-use fiber lasers may have more basic features and are often intended for simpler applications.
4. Size - Laser machines range drastically in size, from small desktop engraving machines to large gantry-style engraving machines. You also need to consider the machine’s power consumption, ventilation, and safety requirements.
5. Cost - Industrial fiber lasers are generally more expensive than home-use lasers due to their higher power and advanced features.

2. Fiber Laser Machine Functionality

Fiber laser machines use a fiber laser source that generates a laser beam through a specialized optical fiber. This beam is then directed through a series of mirrors and lenses to focus the energy onto the material's surface. The intense heat generated by the laser beam causes the material to melt, vaporize, or burn away, creating precise cuts, engravings, or markings. 

Ask yourself a question, what do I want to do with a fiber laser? Are you in the business of custom gift items, signs, jewelry, or are you an auto repairer, or a metal fabrication shop? There are a variety of laser machines available on the market for specific tasks. There are lasers for metal cutting, marking, engraving, surface cleaning, welding, etc. The lasers also differ by the laser source type, which determines what materials the laser can be used on. Knowing what operation you want to perform with the laser, will help you choose the right type of laser machine. 

Cutting: Fiber laser cutting machines are engineered to produce powerful, high-precision beams that can swiftly and efficiently cut through various materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. These machines generally possess high power output, exceptional accuracy, and high cutting speeds.

Engraving: Fiber laser engraving systems are specifically designed for high-speed and high-precision operations that can mark and engrave text, images, photos, barcodes and designs on a variety of surfaces, including metal, plastic, and glass. These machines are known for their precision and speed.

Welding: Fiber laser welding equipment utilizes high-power, high-quality beams to weld the same or different types of metal. These machines are built with high power output, accuracy, and stability.

Cleaning: Fiber laser cleaning machines are constructed with high-power laser source that can clean material surfaces, including metal, wood, and concrete. These machines are known for their high power and efficiency.

3. Laserable Materials

There is a wide range of laserable materials that can be permanently marked and cut with a laser machine. The ability to transform everyday materials into business opportunities makes a laser machine one of the best investments you can make.

Here is a list of common materials that can be laser engraved:

• Granite - Popular applications include personalization of granite memorials, granite counter tops, outdoor signage and flooring.
• Brick and Stone - Applications include, but aren’t limited to: fundraising bricks, stepping stones, retaining walls and landscaping features.
• Glass and Crystal - There are many applications for glass and crystal, some of the more popular include: awards, personalized gifts, interior and furniture design and glass packaging, jars of food, bottles for drinks, cosmetic and pharmaceuticals.
• Wood - Applications for wood are quite vast, and include: custom flooring, cabinets, furniture, gun stocks, personalized gifts, business cards, signage, awards and integrating into schools/universities.
• Plastics and Acrylic - Applications include: indoor and outdoor signage, plastic part marking/cutting and architectural mock-ups. us
• Metals - Popular metal applications include: metal part marking (tools, machine parts etc.), automotive applications, personalization of firearms, jewelry, metal urns and awards. Coated metals can be successfully engraved/marked, however un-coated, bare metals require a marking compound.
• Rubber - The most common rubber applications are tire marking, rubber stamp creation and part handles.
• Leather and Fabric - Applications for fabric engraving and cutting include fashion design, interior design and textile creation/modification.

The specific materials that a fiber laser can work with depend on the laser source type and its power. Laser’s wavelength is one of the parameters that define the laser's capability to affect a material. That is why it is essential to consider the material properties and the intended application when choosing a fiber laser machine. If you’d like to have your material tested in our lab, us or call 212-476- to speak to a representative.

4. Fiber Laser Machine Size

The answer to this question depends on your plans for the laser machine and the largest-size material you plan on engraving or cutting. The size of the machine will ultimately determine the size of the material and ease of engraving ability. The bigger is better rule doesn’t apply in all cases when selecting a fiber laser machine. Yes, if you have a bigger machine you have more options and opportunities to cut larger objects, but in case of laser engraving having a larger working area means that the laser focal length is larger as well, which reduces the machine’s power.

Therefore, when choosing fiber laser equipment,  it is crucial to consider the following factors:

1. Material Size: You need to consider the largest size of your products when choosing the fiber laser machine or the use of additional equipment, such as a conveyor belt or XY-moving worktables, a rotary attachment, to ensure you can reach the entire material's surface.
2. Object’s Shape: Depending on the shape of your product, you need to research the laser capabilities or available accessories to handle non-flat objects, such as rotary axis attachment for cylindrical objects.
3. Materials Handling: Handling large or oversized materials is another important factor. Specialized equipment, such as conveyors, material handling robots, or automated systems, may be required to handle and position the materials for processing.

5. Fiber Laser Machine Pre-Sale Options

Knowing that the chosen laser equipment is right for you, is a great first step. Find out which supplier offer demonstrations and material tests. It’s always a good idea to ask your dealer to run a sample cut or engraving on your material.

The investment in a laser machine should be well-planned. You should find out about possible financing or leasing options before you buy. With financing options, you can start earning money with it immediately without a large upfront investment. Furthermore, leasing rates are tax deductible as business expenses and offer planning security thanks to the compiled financing plan. Get lots of information before making a purchase decision. 

6. Fiber Laser Machine Installation & Operation

When selecting your fiber laser machines, it’s equally important to learn how easy it’s to operate this equipment, and what’s involved in the initial setup. All modern equipment is operated by a software application. Finding out software’s features and functions, compatibility with operating systems, and accepted graphical files formats, is a good practice. It’s important to have comprehensive documentation on the installation procedure and software manual. Fast setup and easy to learn and operate software are the factors that drive the selection of the fiber laser machine.

Understanding the proper usage of the machine and correct operation ensures the fiber laser machine is running at optimal performance, minimizing downtime and maximizing output. This helps keep up with the demands of the production cycle, reducing the need for costly repairs and downtime.

7. Fiber Laser Machine Lifespan & Maintenance

The frequency of use is another important factor to consider when choosing the fiber laser machine. The longevity and reliability of a laser machine are essential when it is intended for frequent utilization in a production line. To meet these demands, it is critical to invest in a device with a long lifespan laser source and quality parts and components that can withstand the stress of heavy usage.

Another factors to consider are the maintenance routine and consumable products, because they affect the cost and time of your production.  Moreover, if the production cycle is expected to increase in the future, it is crucial to choose a machine that is scalable so that it can be upgraded to meet the increased demand.

8. Fiber Laser Machines Accessories

It’s important to find out which accessories are available on the market for your laser machine. Having more options is always better, because you could increase your revenue by simply adding another product line with a use of an accessory to the laser without another big investment in new machinery. 

Some common accessories for fiber laser machines include:

1. Protective Eyewear - It is important to protect the eyes from intense laser light.
2. Field Lenses - Larger lens sizes increase the working area of the laser and smaller lens sizes increase the laser power output and precision.
3. Lens Cleaning Supplies - You may need them to keep the lens clean and free of debris, which can affect the quality of the laser beam.
4. Cooling Systems - Some fiber laser machines require a cooling system to maintain optimal temperature and prevent overheating.
5. Nozzles - These are used to direct the laser beam toward the material being processed.
6. Chiller - To maintain the laser's consistent temperature and keep it cool.
7. Dust Collector - To eliminate the dust caused by cutting or engraving.
8. Fume Exhaust System - To vent the fumes caused by cutting or engraving.
9. Rotary Axis - A motor-driven attachment for work on cylindrical objects.
10. Vise - Clamping table to hold the item 
11. Auto-Focus -  A device that helps to position the laser head at the correct focal length automatically

It's essential to check with the manufacturer to ensure that you have all the necessary accessories before the purchase. Some manufacturers and sellers may provide a list of recommended accessories for a specific application. If you are not sure what accessories you need, contact our support at 212-476- or by , and we will help you with your choice.

9. Fiber Laser Machine Warranty and After-Sales Support

Warranty and post-purchase support are important considerations when buying a fiber laser machine because they provide peace of mind and protection for your investment.

1. Warranty: A warranty ensures that the manufacturer will cover any manufacturing defects or malfunctions for a specified period. If a problem arises due to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer will repair or replace the machine at no cost to the buyer.
2. Post-purchase Support: This includes technical assistance, software upgrades, and troubleshooting assistance. Having access to post-purchase support means that the buyer can get help with any issues that may arise and can rely on the manufacturer to provide assistance and guidance to keep their fiber laser machine running smoothly.
3. Maintenance and Repair Service: The manufacturer or supplier should offer maintenance and repair services in case of any issues with the machine. This allows to keep the device in optimal working condition and can minimize downtime due to unexpected repairs or maintenance.
4. Training: Knowing how to operate and maintain the laser machine properly is essential for safety, efficiency, and prolonging the machine's lifespan. Access to training and instruction on how to use the machine will help ensure that it is used safely and effectively.

10. Fiber Laser Machine Cost

Laser machines are no longer an out-of-budget product. With advancements in laser technology in the recent years, laser machines become significantly more affordable. There are many options available on the market. You can buy equipment from a well-known western manufacturer, and enjoy all the benefits of US-based customer support and repair services. But it comes with a higher price tag. Today, you can buy your laser machine directly from a manufacturer in China at a significantly lower price, but it comes with a risk. If something goes wrong, you are on your own. LasersOnly.com offers you quality equipment at great rates with excellent pre and after-sales service. We deal with all risky aspects, and you enjoy your great equipment and our support without paying big bucks for it. 

Laser machines can be paid for in a variety of ways. You can pay for your order with e-Check, Credit Cards or PayPal. We work with several financial institutions that offer different financing or leasing options. If you have your own financing company, we will work with them as well.

Conclusion

Fiber laser machines are a valuable asset for businesses and organizations of all sizes due to their versatility and ability to be used in various industries and applications. Purchasing a fiber laser machine requires careful consideration. We discussed 10 factors that can help you navigate the variety of products and select the best fiber laser machine that suits your needs. The most important factors are intended application, used material and its size, power output and cost. Additionally, equipment’s lifespan, operations, maintenance requirements, and pre- and after-sales support are essential points for consideration consider as well. We hope, this guide would help you choose the perfect fiber laser machine for your enterprise.

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