10 Questions You Should to Know about Single-platform Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

Hi Everyone,
This is my first post and I am hoping that you can help me make a couple of informed decisions before purchasing a new machine. These are probably some really simplistic questions for you veterans but please keep in mind that I am absolutely starting from the beginning. I have been reading and studying for a while now and I think these first questions would start me inthe right direction.

1. I know that the spot size of the laser tube increases with wattage and that a 40 watt tube spot size will engrave better than a 100 watt tube. I know that a 100 watt tube will cut thicker materials cleaner and faster.My first intentions of use will be mainly cutting and engraving on 3/4"(19mm) pine but I would like to also engrave and cut on other materials too. So my first question is how much less is the quality of engraving on a 100-130 watt machine versus a 40-60 watt model? Could a high resolution lens on a 100-130 watt machine engrave as fine as a standard lens on a 40-60 watt model?

2. Power control. Do you have less power control over a 100-130 watt machine than you do on a 40-60 watt model. Can I turn the power down low enough to engrave anodized aluminum or marble? Would an 80 watt model be a better compromise for engraving? Would 80 watts be enough to cut 3/4"pine or similar woods with good quality cuts?

3. Table size. I'm thinking a 36"x24" would suit my needs but I may go up a notch if a larger platform model would not be anymore difficult to keep aligned, adjusted and squared than a smaller machine. Do larger platforms cause more problems or need more maintenance.

That's it for round one. Hopefully my next set of questions will be more intelligent as I go and more stimulating for you to read. Thank you all so much in advance. I am looking forward to some good discussions.

Gozzie

1. I know that the spot size of the laser tube increases with wattage

That's really only going to matter on a Chinese tube, not so much on a metal tube.

2. Power control. Do you have less power control over a 100-130 watt machine than you do on a 40-60 watt model.

It's not that you don't have as much control, it's that you are working with a larger number. ie. if you have a 130 watt machine and turn it down to 10%, then you (in theory) have 13 watts. On a 40 watt machine you would have 4 watts at the same 10% setting. It can get tricky to dial in settings when each percent represents such a large number.

Would 80 watts be enough to cut 3/4"pine or similar woods with good quality cuts?

I'm not sure how many watts you would need to cut 3/4" *anything*, but my guess is that you would need multiple hundreds of watts - 200, 300, 400. As for "quality" - anything powerful enough to get through 3/4" of wood is going to leave quite a bit of charring. A cnc router or a waterjet would be more suitable.

Do larger platforms cause more problems or need more maintenance.

No. Get the biggest bed size you can afford to get - you won't be sorry!
That's why I am so glad that I ask questions.

Here is a video I watched on a Chinese machine cutting 18mm wood (.70 inches) It appeared to do so effortlessly and the cuts look great. It doesn't say what kind of wood. It does say it's a 130 watt machine. The other videos I watched from the same company show some pretty good engraving but on a lower powered machine. So now am I correct in assuming that this is advertising fluff? I am very grateful for your responses and this is exactly why. I am trying to learn real world answers and get away from the hype of advertisers. Here is the you tube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=48tuHRqLup4

I am definitely not a rich man and undoubtedly will have to go with a Chinese model but I still want to get the best bang for the dollar I can get. I want something powerful enough to cut but still able to engrave fairly decently. More clipart and text engraving than photographic but that could change too. That's what makes this so crazy for us new guys. I just don't know anything about it. It looks like a lot of fun. I don't want to be disgruntled with myself again by making an uneducated purchase. I am going into retirement and it looks like a fantastic hobby to get into. I cant thank you folks enough for your input. Are there any opinions on wattage that can average out on cutting versus engraving on a Chinese model (water cooled) 80 - 100 -130?

Thank you again for the responses, I am very excited about the whole thing.

Gozzie Welcome Gozzie!

What I have been getting from everyone on the forum as I went through the process you have gone through is that 80watt is about as high as you want to go IF you are interested BOTH in high quality engraving and efficient cutting on the same machine. Once you exceed that you get better at cutting and worse at engraving. For that reason I went with an 80 watt EFR tube (Chinese machine.)

The next question that comes to mind is.....is this a business machine? Or a putzing around machine? If it is business you may want to look harder at western machines and use financing to do it. Provided you have done your homework in terms of your business model of course. If you are looking for something that is still local to the US but far less expensive than a Western Machine you might check out Rabbit Laser USA in Ohio. They offer Chinese machines that have been thoroughly gone over and even deliver it to your door with a days worth of setup and help getting going. And they will support you from then on without problem. They are well thought of on the forum if you care to do a search on them.

In my case, the laser was not my primary tool and I was looking for something that would help me in a retirement, semi paying serious hobby. It was very difficult for me to swallow the price of a western machine. As much as I think of Ray Scott and Rabbit, I had problems even with their cost for what I wanted to do and finally decided to go direct to China. There were some other things I was looking for in a machine as well that tended to push me towards a Chinese machine. Seems fine so far but I haven't done much yet beyond uncrating and setup. If you are looking for business use here in the US I might be pretty tempted to shoot for a western machine right off the bat, or a Rabbit as a second choice.

Can you give us an idea as to your use for the machine? Business or hobby? What kinds of broad things are you looking to do? What kind of volume are you hoping for? Think in terms of engraving and cutting as separate concepts, and also let us know what materials you hope to work on most of the time.

Hope this ends up as a fun process for you Gozzie! It certainly has been for me thanks to everyone here!!

Dave
PS....you might put your location into your profile so we can see where you are located. Perhaps city/state if in the US? Or at least country if you are elsewhere? Then you can get even more specific assistance for your area.

1. I know that the spot size of the laser tube increases with wattage and that a 40 watt tube spot size will engrave better than a 100 watt tube. I know that a 100 watt tube will cut thicker materials cleaner and faster.My first intentions of use will be mainly cutting and engraving on 3/4"(19mm) pine but I would like to also engrave and cut on other materials too. So my first question is how much less is the quality of engraving on a 100-130 watt machine versus a 40-60 watt model? Could a high resolution lens on a 100-130 watt machine engrave as fine as a standard lens on a 40-60 watt model?

Other way round, the incident beam of the more powerful tubes is bigger so the final spot is smaller given the same lens focal length. DC tube wise, anything much over 80 watts is close to useless for engraving for the reasons others gave (power stability etc)

2. Power control. Do you have less power control over a 100-130 watt machine than you do on a 40-60 watt model. Can I turn the power down low enough to engrave anodized aluminum or marble? Would an 80 watt model be a better compromise for engraving? Would 80 watts be enough to cut 3/4"pine or similar woods with good quality cuts?

Gary covered that really well.

3. Table size. I'm thinking a 36"x24" would suit my needs but I may go up a notch if a larger platform model would not be anymore difficult to keep aligned, adjusted and squared than a smaller machine. Do larger platforms cause more problems or need more maintenance.

The big flatbed lasers have gantry mounted tubes so the distance between the first and second mirror always stays the same (they are fixed) at about 100mm, add the overall length of the biggest Chinese gantry at 2,500mm and you have a max alignment distance of 2,600mm, now look at a x 900 machine, at the bottom right of the table you have a max alignment distance of mm width, plus the 900 depth plus around 150mm from the tube exit so a total of mm. Not much less than a machine with a bed size of x mm.

It takes me about 20 minutes to align a x 900 machine and about 5 to 10 minutes to align one of the gantry mount flatbeds at x .

cheers

Dave

Can you give us an idea as to your use for the machine? Business or hobby? What kinds of broad things are you looking to do? What kind of volume are you hoping for? Think in terms of engraving and cutting as separate concepts, and also let us know what materials you hope to work on most of the time.

This will be used 100% hobby with no intentions of ever becoming a business. I am going to enjoy life with my wife (kids are gone). I have a 16 x 20 workshop to play in and nothing to play with. I am really intrigued by the video that Rich Harmon just posted engraving the Aztec calendars. I don't know if you guys consider that high resolution or not not but it looks super detailed to me. It looks like a lot of fun too. So I am looking to lets say, cut and engrave wood like that and build something out of it. Maybe a bird house, or just a door sign. To be able to cut different shapes and engrave it at the same time just tickles me and I think I could stay busy happily making silly items from scrap boards. I can run off all my friends and family making them key hangers and hat racks or door Signs and wind chimes. When I come for a visit I could watch them awkwardly figit around when I ask them why my wecome sign isn't hanging up outside their house yet. LOL

That being said, It looks like the machine Rich is using could be close to what I am looking for with a 36" minimum size table. Rich, your profile says you have a 130 watt machine but you are saying you cut the boards with 80 watts. Did you cut the boards with an 80 watt machine at full power or use a 130 watt model running at 80 watts?

Thank you everyone,

Gozzie

Rich, your profile says you have a 130 watt machine but you are saying you cut the boards with 80 watts. Did you cut the boards with an 80 watt machine at full power or use a 130 watt model running at 80 watts?

I originally had an 80W tube in the machine. Last year I upgraded to a 130w because I mostly do cutting and the extra speed means more money. That tube failed but it was replaced under warranty by Reci. A smooth process actually. Aside from the fact that the 130W can cut faster I much prefer the 80W Reci tube, my original tube is still as good as it was on day one. Without a real good reason for more power I would strongly recommend the 80W.

Look at this thread for a comparison of resolution between my Chinese laser and the sample that Epilog sends out.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?-Lasers-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for/page2

For non-production use, you can get the same results with the Chinese machine. If it is your business to produce those results then a mainstream machine is going to be better. It sounds like a Chinese machine is just right for you. The caveat is that you should be prepared to "fix" it. To get the most out of it you will need to put some time into the machine, it seems that the factory workers stop as soon as it is working, not when it is finely tuned to work at it's best. If you choose to import get a broker and have them handle everything. I can refer you to mine, she has been great. Otherwise for a domestically available machine Ray at Rabbit Laser gets consistently rave reviews, though you will spend quite a bit more money for the same thing. Probably worth it if you don't want to tweak things yourself.

I opted for a 1,400 x 900 machine. You'll notice my sig line is slightly different, it reflects the true working area. The honeycomb bed actually is 1,400 x 900 but the useable range of the laser is different. I wanted to be able to easily cut 24 x 48 sheets. 48" is 1,219mm so a 1,200 x 600 machine is just a bit too small. It is good to have the work area larger than the the largest pieces you intend to cut. Thank you Rich for the link to your comparison with epilog.

That answers that. Thank you

Now that of course leads to the next set of questions.

Did you use a standard lens like a 2" when you did the Aztec calendars or a smaller one like 1.5 "?
You seem to like the ZN6 tube, I have been reading about the EFR tubes also. Are there major differences between them or is it an apples oranges kind of thing?
I will for sure go with a long life tube 10,000 hours or so either way. I really value your opinion.

I'm not too leery about learning how to adjust the machine itself, coming from China. Infact it sounds like cleaning and maintenance on any of these is a routine job that one must learn and should learn. The one scary possibility would have it arrive not working at all. That would probably freak me out a lot. LOL

So I am looking at 80 watts, tube brand unknown yet.

It appears that corel draw is the software of choice among most people here. I see some machines run directly off corel draw and others use plugins. It also appears that one of the larger topics is in the type of controller. Do I need to look for a certain type of controller that operates from corel draw directly or do the plugins work. What should I definitely avoid. I know I need to stay away from key dongle type stuff correct ? What should I look for.

I am enjoying this so much and I hope that you are to. My confidence grows with every article that you point me to. I'm still very blind but learning through you.

Thank you again

Gozzie

In the manufacturing industry, metal fiber laser cutting machines have become crucial tools for improving production efficiency and quality. How to choose a laser cutter has become a key challenge for manufacturers. This article will take you through this process, covering considerations from material adaptability to cutting dimensions, providing you with wise purchasing advice to help your manufacturing business stand out in the competition.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Cylion sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

There are several points to consider when buying a fiber laser cutting machine:

• First, consider factors such as cutting width, machine power, materials that can be cut, and repeat positioning accuracy. These depend on the production requirements and the type of material being processed.

• Second, focus on the quality of the samples when purchasing, assessing the accuracy and smoothness of the cut section by examining the cut out sample. This helps to ensure that the chosen machine will meet quality standards and production requirements.

• Finally, the brand and price of the metal laser cutting machine need to be analyzed in depth. Different brands of machines may have different performance, durability and quality of after-sales service. While understanding the brand reputation, it is also important to consider the budget to ensure that you get the best value for money.

• Choosing a reliable industrial laser cutting machine manufacturer is quite important, laser cutting machine belongs to the new laser technology equipment, the acquisition of a machine put into use is the need to consider the long term, choose a large scale, experienced brand, the quality of the product and equipment is more guaranteed, and the strength of the manufacturer can provide efficient and timely after-sales service and perfect product training.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Laser Cutter?

What Materials Do You Need To Cut?

When choosing a fiber laser cutting machine, the primary consideration is the material to be cut. Fiber laser cutting machines can cut various types of metals, including carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized sheet, aluminum, titanium, copper, and brass, among others. Non-metallic materials should be processed using a CO2 laser cutting machine.

What is the size of your workpiece?

The larger the working area of the laser cutting machine, the larger the size of the workpiece it can accommodate. This is crucial for applications that require processing large-sized materials. Factors such as the size, structure, and material of the worktable affect the cutting results. Note that with an increase in the size of the worktable, the size and price of the cutting machine will also correspondingly increase.

Cutting Thickness

The power of the cutting machine limits the depth of cut, so you need to choose the right model, tool, etc. according to the actual needs. As the thickness of the material increases, a more powerful machine is needed, and accordingly, the price of the machine will increase.

Cutting Accuracy

Cutting accuracy is a key consideration, which determines the error in the size of the parts cut out. The cutting accuracy of the laser cutting machine mainly depends on the quality of the laser source, the stability of the optical system, the stability of the table, the CNC system and other components and parameter configuration. According to the actual needs and cost considerations, choose the appropriate model of cutting machine. Roc laser has a variety of models of fiber laser cutting machine, different cutting machine models corresponding to different configurations, customers can match the machine model according to the processing accuracy requirements.

Control System

The control system is directly related to the operability and stability of the CNC laser cutting machine. Mainstream control system brands such as CypCut, Lantek, etc., when choosing the need to consider the ease of use, functionality and compatibility with other equipment.

Higher Power Provides Greater Flexibility

The choice of laser power is based on the needs of the material and content to be cut. Different power levels are required for different materials and processes. For example, cutting acrylic and plastics, glass may not require excessive power, while cutting metal materials may require a laser power of at least W. Thicker materials typically require higher power levels to ensure effective perforation and cutting. The most popular choices today are in the 6-12KW range, and the higher KW used does not necessarily mean greater thickness cutting capability, but rather higher linear cutting speeds. DP Laser can provide high power industrial laser cutting machines from 20kw~30kw.

The cutting parameters of the metal laser cutting machine can be found on this page, however, due to space constraints we have not been able to present all material and machine parameters. If you do not find the information you need on this page, please feel free to contact us and we will provide you with more detailed parameter information. We are committed to providing you with comprehensive and accurate cutting machine parameters and data.

Optical Components

To improve the cutting accuracy and effectiveness of a laser cutting head, it is necessary to consider factors such as wavelength, semi-reflective mirrors, fully reflective mirrors, refractive mirrors, etc., and to select high-quality optics suitable for the laser cutter. The combination of these key considerations ensures that the selected laser cutter meets real-world needs and delivers superior performance.

Lens Focal Length

Depth of cutting and speed: The choice of lens focal length directly affects the laser’s focal position on the surface of the workpiece. The right focal length ensures that the laser produces enough energy inside the workpiece to increase the depth of cut. However, a focal length that is too long or too short may result in insufficient energy or over focusing, affecting the cutting effect.

Cutting quality: Proper selection of the focal length improves the quality of the cut and avoids problems of excessive melting, burning or non-smooth cutting edges. By adjusting the focal length, the distribution of laser energy on the workpiece can be optimized to achieve a more precise and smooth cutting effect. The quality of the cut is directly related to the appearance and performance of the final product and is therefore another key factor in focal length selection. When cutting materials of different thicknesses, the laser lenses can be replaced with different focal lengths accordingly.

Safety Protection Devices

Be sure that the cutting machine you purchase is equipped with the necessary safety protection devices, such as safety guards and emergency stops. These devices are essential for maintaining staff safety. In addition, consider optional auxiliary production systems such as automatic loading and unloading systems and robots to improve productivity.

Are you interested in learning more about Single-platform Fiber Laser Cutting Machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Cutting Type of CNC Laser Cutting System

Sheet Metal Laser Cutter has cutting classifications such as vaporization, melting, and oxidation. The choice of cutting method usually depends on the material and thickness of the workpiece, as well as the processing requirements. Different cutting methods have some differences in terms of accuracy, speed, and applicability. Different cutting methods can be selected based on different materials.

1. Laser vaporization cutting.

The use of high-energy, high-density laser beam to heat the workpiece, increase the temperature, so that the material in a short period of time vaporized into water vapor. Since the heat of vaporization is generally greater for materials, a high-power laser beam is required. Laser vaporization cutting is generally used for very thin metallic and non-metallic materials.

2. Laser melting cutting.

The material is heated to a certain temperature so that it melts, and then a non-oxidizing gas is blown through a nozzle coaxial to the beam, using the pressure of the gas to expel the liquid metal and form a kerf. The energy required is only 1/10th that of vapor cutting, and it is not necessary to vaporize the metal completely. Materials generally suitable for laser fusion cutting include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum and its alloys, which are not easily oxidized materials or active metals.

3. Laser Oxygen Cutting.

The laser is used as a preheating heat source, and oxygen and other active gases are used as cutting auxiliary gases. After the gas is ejected, an oxidizing reaction occurs with the metal, releasing a large amount of oxidizing heat and forming a cut. Materials generally suitable for laser oxygen cutting include carbon steel, titanium steel, heat-treated steel and other easily oxidized metal materials.

Reliability and quality of service

Before purchasing a laser cutting machine, in addition to the type of cutting, you should also pay attention to the manufacturer’s after-sales service. Experienced cutter manufacturers usually provide a perfect after-sales service system, it is recommended to visit the factory before purchase to ensure that the selected cutter can meet the actual needs. Customers from all over the world are welcome to come to the Roc Laser factory to learn and guide, we are ready to provide you with services.

On-site installation and training

Whether you have never invested in a fiber laser cutting system or are a seasoned professional, on-site installation and training will be completed by our experienced team of professionals. We will help you install and learn how to operate your new machine free of charge.

How to Choose a Fiber Laser Metal Cutting Machine?

Choosing the right fiber laser metal cutting machine involves considering multiple factors that encompass the characteristics of different machine models. The decision should be driven by a careful evaluation of your specific production applications and industry requirements.

1. Metal Plate Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

Specialized in cutting metal sheets, widely used in metal processing industry, such as metal structural parts, kitchen utensils, electrical shells, construction materials, etc.

• Power and Speed: Choose the appropriate power and cutting speed according to your production needs. High-power laser cutters are suitable for fast cutting of thick plates, while low-power models are suitable for thin plates.
• Table size: Consider the size of the plate you need to cut and make sure the table size of the machine meets your production requirements.
• Automation: Automatic loading and unloading and automatic seam tracking can increase productivity, especially for high volume production.

2. Fiber Laser Cutting Machine for Metal Pipes

Designed for cutting metal pipes, suitable for pipe manufacturing, furniture manufacturing and other fields.

• Pipe Diameter Range: Ensure that the machine is suitable for the range of pipe diameters you need to cut. Some models may specialize in small diameter tubes, while others are suitable for large diameter tubes.
• Cutting Length: Consider the length of the pipe you need to cut and make sure the machine is able to accommodate the size of your production.
• Multi-functional cutting: Some advanced laser tube cutters have multi-axis cutting capabilities that allow for a variety of angles and shapes, increasing cutting flexibility.

3. Metal Sheet and Tube Laser Cutting Machine

Combining sheet and tube cutting functions provides versatility for application scenarios where different types of materials need to be processed at the same time.

• Versatility: This all-in-one model is able to handle both sheet metal and pipe cutting needs, making it suitable for companies that need to diversify their production.
• Productivity: By integrating sheet and tube cutting functions, the machine reduces equipment switching and floor space, thus increasing productivity.

4. Automatic Loading and Unloading Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

Equipped with an automated loading and unloading system, the machine improves productivity and is suitable for mass production and continuous processing.

• All-in-one design: Consider whether you need one machine to accomplish both sheet and tube cutting tasks. An integrated design reduces the footprint of the machine and improves overall productivity.
• Cutting Quality: Ensure that the under feeder maintains high quality cutting edges when cutting sheet and tube to avoid secondary processing costs.
• Software Support: Choose a machine with a user-friendly software interface and advanced control system for easier program settings and adjustments.

5. Automatic Coil Fed Laser Cutting Machine

For the cutting needs of coiled materials, the machine can automatically roll up the materials and cut them efficiently for the coil processing industry.

• Integrated Coil Leveling: The coil leveling system that flattens and levels the metal coil before it undergoes laser cutting. This ensures that the material is uniformly flat and free from distortions.
• Diameter and weight of the coilsmaterial: According to your production needs, select the appropriate diameter and weight range of the rolled material to ensure that the machine can work continuously and stably.
• Automatic feeding system: This model is usually equipped with an automatic feeding system, which allows for a continuous supply of rolls and reduces downtime during production.
• Material Savings: Automatic winding systems allow for more efficient use of material, reducing scrap rates and providing advantages for cost control and sustainable production.

6. Fiber Laser Exchange Platform

With the function of switching working platforms, it can be flexibly switched in different working environments to improve production flexibility.

• Quick table change: Reduces downtime between cutting tasks and improves production efficiency.
• Adaptation to different materials: Considering whether or not you need to work with a wide range of metals, this model’s quick-change system makes cutting different materials more flexible.
• Automation: Fiber laser exchange platforms often feature intelligent automation systems that streamline operations and improve production stability and consistency.

We are committed to providing you with professional after-sales service to ensure that you receive timely support during the use of your machine. We have a professional service team composed of excellent engineers and sales staff who can help you choose the fiber laser cutting machine that best suits your needs. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to communicate with us, we will be happy to serve you.

Conclusion:

We explored essential factors in selecting the appropriate CNC Fiber Laser Cutting Machine, emphasizing material adaptability, cutting dimensions, precision, and other configurations tailored to processing needs. In the highly competitive manufacturing landscape, the strategic acquisition of a suitable fiber laser metal cutting machine stands as a pivotal measure for ensuring business success. This article serves as a guide, addressing the query “what should I consider in a laser cutting machine,” to assist you in identifying the most fitting partner from the diverse range of laser cutting machine models available.

Want more information on Single Table Fiber Laser Cutting Machine? Feel free to contact us.