Fiber laser cutting is one of the latest developments in laser cutting technology, offering unprecedented speed and precision to the metalworking industry. But, like most terms in the manufacturing industry, fiber laser cutting sounds very complicated. So what exactly is it?
Fiber laser cutting machines use active fiber optics to generate the laser beam and use a transmission fiber to deliver it to the machine’s cutting head. This super-heated laser is condensed into a narrow beam and used to cut various thicknesses of metal.
Fiber optic technology is used for a range of infrastructure and manufacturing applications due to its enhanced intensity and efficiency. There are several types of laser cutting machines in use today, and the fundamental difference between them is the way the laser is generated. Below, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about fiber laser cutting in detail.
What is fiber laser cutting?
Fiber laser cutting uses a solid-state laser to melt and penetrate metal for precise and efficient cutting. The laser medium for this technology is an optical fiber, not a gas or crystal, which is what gives fiber laser cutting its name.
Since it is known that laser light is concentrated light, it makes sense that fiber optics can intensify this beam – thus, fiber optics is the “active gain medium” used to boost the laser to a higher power state.
Fiber laser cutters can cut a range of materials and thicknesses, depending on the capabilities of the machine. Most fiber laser machines can cut stainless steel up to 10 mm thick.
This type of laser cutter is typically used in manufacturing and infrastructure because fiber laser cutters are significantly more expensive than CO2 laser cutters, which are within the budget of schools and hobbyists.
How does a fiber laser cutting machine work?
Fiber laser technology uses excited radiation to produce a focused beam of high power laser light. A laser diode emits light that is sent to a fiber optic cable for amplification. When this powerful laser hits the surface of the material, the high intensity light is absorbed and converted into heat, which melts the surface.
A high-speed air stream parallel to the laser beam is used to blow away any melted material, allowing the part to be cut.
The first point of contact between the fiber laser and the material must be more intense than subsequent interactions, as this first contact must pierce the material rather than simply cut it. This requires the use of a high-powered pulsed beam that makes a hole in the material, lasting approximately 10 seconds for a 12 mm stainless steel plate. At the same time, a high speed air stream will remove debris to reveal a clear image of the output.
Typically, fiber laser cutting machines use computerized digital control technology that allows cutting data to be received from a computer-aided design workstation. These technologies help control the surface of the material or the laser itself to produce a specific pattern or design.
Fiber laser cutting machines also feature dual interchangeable stages for easy loading and unloading of materials. This feature makes the laser cutting process faster, while maintaining accuracy and precision.
Fiber laser cutting machines are also easy to maintain. Few parts need to be replaced and adjusted, which reduces the burden and cost of maintenance. In addition, fiber lasers use nitrogen gas in the cutting process, making the cut faster, more accurate and less messy.
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