What are the main differences between CO2 and fiber laser cutting?

What Are the Main Differences Between CO₂ and Fiber Laser Cutting?

Laser Source and Wavelength

• CO₂ Lasers: Use a gas mixture (primarily CO₂) excited by electrical discharge to produce infrared light at a wavelength of 10.6 μm.

• Fiber Lasers: Use a solid-state optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements, emitting a wavelength around 1.06 μm. This shorter wavelength is absorbed more efficiently by metals, enabling faster and cleaner cutting.

Material Compatibility

• CO₂ Lasers: Excel at cutting non-metals such as wood, acrylic, plastics, rubber, glass, leather, and paper. They also cut metals like stainless steel and mild steel but are less effective on reflective materials.

• Fiber Lasers: Specialize in metal cutting, particularly reflective and conductive materials such as aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel. They are less suitable for non-metallic materials due to poor absorption at 1.06 μm.

Cutting Speed and Efficiency

• Fiber Lasers: Are up to 3× faster than CO₂ lasers when cutting thin metals (<5 mm), due to higher beam intensity and energy efficiency (~35%).

• CO₂ Lasers: Have slower cutting speeds and higher power consumption (~10–15% efficiency), making them less cost-effective for high-volume metal processing.

Maintenance and Operating Costs

• Fiber Lasers: Require minimal maintenance, no mirrors or alignment, and have a typical service life exceeding 100,000 hours.

• CO₂ Lasers: Need regular maintenance, mirror cleaning, and gas replenishment, leading to higher operating costs and downtime.

Edge Quality

• CO₂ Lasers: Deliver smoother edge finishes on thicker non-metal parts and are preferred for applications like signage and acrylic displays.

• Fiber Lasers: Provide precise, burr-free edges on thin to medium metal sheets but may require optimization for thicker materials to match CO₂ edge smoothness.

Application Summary Table

Manufacturing Services for CO₂ and Fiber Laser Cut Parts

Neway provides advanced laser cutting services using both CO₂ and fiber laser systems, optimized for metal and non-metal processing. Backed by 20+ years of experience and ±0.01 mm precision, we deliver parts with high accuracy, speed, and reliability across global markets.