Fiber laser: what it is, how it works and its advantages
Fiber laser is a solid-state laser amplified through an optical fiber: more precise and efficient than CO2 and ideal for cutting metals.
Optical-fiber laser cutting systems are replacing, in many applications, more traditional tools such as CO2 laser. Fiber laser is an evolution of laser systems that offers more efficiency and performance. That is why it is widely used in many sectors, including sheet metal, for metal cutting and engraving. Let's see how it is built and what advantages it offers.
What is a fiber-optic laser?
Fiber laser was born from the need for automated, high-performance processes. It is a solid-state laser in which the beam is amplified in an optical fiber “pumped” by diodes. The glass fiber is doped with elements such as erbium, neodymium or ytterbium: it is their concentration that makes it possible to amplify and guide the laser radiation.
The advantages of fiber laser over CO2 laser
Fiber laser offers several advantages for cutting and marking over other laser systems. The first is the high precision of the beam. Fiber laser has a wavelength of about 1.064 µm, roughly ten times shorter than CO2 laser. Its focal diameter is comparable to a hair and allows a much higher intensity. The electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency is also clearly higher, with lower consumption. In summary, the advantages of fiber laser:
- High cut quality
- High machining speed
- Reduced maintenance
- Shorter production times
- Lower energy consumption
- High efficiency and stability
- Flexibility in machining
Why use fiber laser cutting for sheet metal and metals?
The advantages of fiber laser have made it the most widespread technology in many sectors. CO2 laser is still widely used for cutting plastics and organic materials, while fiber laser is especially suited to marking and cutting metal sheets and profiles, for precision and flexibility. Its shorter wavelength makes it possible to work highly reflective metals such as brass and copper too, and it is ideal for drilling tubes and sheets with a very small spot diameter.
Cutlite Penta fiber laser systems
Cutlite Penta designs, builds and distributes high-technology systems for fiber laser cutting of metal worldwide. Thirty years of experience and the know-how gained have made it possible to build, among the first in Italy and Europe, a cutting head able to support power up to 30 kW. In-house production and technology developed in-house let us meet customer requests with custom systems. The advantages of a Cutlite Penta laser machine:
- Fiber laser cutting up to 30 kW of power
- Cutting head designed and built in-house
- Compact layout
- Fast automatic pallet change
- Linear motors
- Absolute axis position encoders
- Lower consumption
- Systems for large parts
- Optional loading/unloading and storage systems
- Custom configurations
Frequently asked questions
What is fiber laser?
A solid-state laser in which the beam is amplified in a doped optical fiber (erbium, neodymium, ytterbium) pumped by diodes.
What is the difference between fiber and CO2 laser?
Fiber laser has a wavelength about ten times shorter, with more precision and efficiency; CO2 remains suited to plastics and organic materials.
Can fiber laser cut copper and brass?
Yes: the shorter wavelength makes it possible to work reflective metals too, such as copper and brass.
What advantages does fiber laser offer?
Cut quality and speed, reduced maintenance, lower consumption, efficiency and flexibility.
Discover Cutlite Penta fiber laser machines
High-technology systems for fiber laser cutting of metal. Tell us what you need to cut and we'll find the right solution for you.
