How to select a laser cutting machine?

13, Jan. 2025

 

How to buy the right laser machine?

The materials you want to engrave or cut define the laser type you will need. If you want to process organic materials like wood, glass, paper or leather you will need a CO2 laser. For marking metals or plastics you will need a fiber laser. If you want to do both a flexx laser is the right fit for you because it contains a CO2 and a fiber laser in one machine.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Cylion.

Check out the material list for different laser types

The size of your workpieces to be engraved or cut defines the size of the laser machine. In addition the number of workpieces per order plays also an important role. If your order consists of multiple items, they can be processed in one process. So you can save time and increase productivity.

An important criterion for the success of your business is the reliability of the laser system as only a fully functional device will guarantee your delivery reliability. Trotec lasers are used around the world and the field experience of more than 30.000 of installed systems is evidence of expertise and customer confidence. With service and sales organizations in more than 90 countries, Trotec has a professional contact local to you. Maximum reliability and availability (e.g. 24/7 spare parts delivery) should, therefore, always be taken into consideration when making your decision.

How to Choose the Right Laser Cutting Machine? Ultimate ...

If we talk about the innovations in technology, we can't go on without mentioning laser technology. The way energy has been harnessed from the laser has been phenomenal. The key area where the laser is making its presence known is the laser cutting machine.

Due to its high precision and accuracy, the laser has proved to be the greatest alternate of all other technologies. Laser cutting machines are super-fast and they get the job done in the most finished way possible.

Laser cutting machines are the focus of this discussion on lasers, which is a broad topic. Bear with us as we brief you about what this intelligent technology is.

Laser cutting machines use a laser to cut materials and create designs. The laser beam that is used in such machines is capable of melting, burning, or vaporizing the material.

Laser cutting is a fabrication process. It consists of an extremely thin, invisible but focused laser beam that cuts and engraves the substrate material. It can be used to cut material or create logos, patterns, designs, and write text or numbers.

The latter information is made using the engraving option of the laser cutting machines. Laser is ideal for working on metal, wood, glass, ceramics, paper, and stones. While other cutting machines are strictly dependent on one substrate material, the laser has a wide range of applications.

Applications of Laser Cutting Technology

Laser cutting technology is widely used across various fields, including electronics, medicine, defense, automotive, healthcare, and design. Its most prominent application is in metal cutting, where it can precisely cut materials like steel, aluminum, tungsten, brass, nickel, and iron with unmatched accuracy.

A notable application is in surgical wards, where lasers are replacing traditional scalpels to vaporize human tissues and cells. This technology is used in high-risk operations, such as retina adjustment surgeries, helping patients regain eyesight lost due to accidents or aging, often restoring their vision to its original state.

  • Specifications of Laser Cutting Technology

    Laser Beam Specifications

    • Diameter: 0.1mm to 0.3mm
    • Power: 1 to 3 kW, depending on the substrate
      • Steel/Iron: 1-2 kW
      • Copper/Aluminum: Up to 6 kW due to their reflective and conductive properties

    Key Components of a Laser Cutter

    Laser Resonator

    • Function: Generates the laser beam
    • Components:
      • Glass tube with mirrors facing each other
      • Filled with gases (CO2, hydrogen, nitrogen, helium)
      • Charged by diodes or electric discharge to emit energy as a laser beam

    Cutting Head

    • Function: Directs and focuses the laser beam
    • Process:
      • Beam is reflected by internal mirrors
      • Magnified and focused at the cutting point
      • Passes through a nozzle with compressed gases (nitrogen or oxygen)
      • Melts substrate material, blown away by nitrogen

    Quality of Operation

    • Key Factors:
      • Distance between nozzle and substrate
      • Intensity and speed of the laser beam
      • Precision and accuracy of cutting head movement

    Marking vs. Engraving

    Before exploring the types of laser cutting and engraving machines, it's important to differentiate marking from engraving:

    • Marking: Surface-level alteration without significant depth
    • Engraving: Deeper penetration into the material for a more pronounced effect

Let's discuss the types of laser cutting machines being used in the industry!

Laser cutting machines are differentiated based on the types of lasers being used. Consequently, the type of laser determines the type of substrate and thickness of the material.

The three main types of laser cutters are as follows:

CO2 Laser Cutters

CO2 laser cutting machines consist of CO2 gas along with a mixture of other gases like helium and nitrogen. This type of gas mixture is charged up by electric discharge which then produces the laser beam. The wavelength of such cutters is 10.6mm.

CO2 laser cutters are the most common and well-reputed because of their efficiency and cheaper prices.

Materials: Glass, plastics, leather, wood, and acrylic.

Crystal Laser Cutters

Crystal laser cutters generate beams from Neodymium doped yttrium ortho vanadate. The wavelengths of these cutters are smaller as compared to CO2 laser cutters hence they can cut through some thicker materials.

Smaller wavelength also contributes to better focus and higher intensity as well. One drawback of these cutters is that their parts wear out because of the high power functionality.

For more Brass Laser Cutting Machineinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Materials: Plastics, Metals, and Ceramics.

Fiber Laser Cutters

The origin of fiber laser is seed laser which is amplified and magnified using special optical fibers. The more common name for fiber laser cutters is a solid-state laser.

The remarkable benefits of this laser cutter include cutting of reflective and conductive metals, thrice the times of efficiency as compared to CO2 laser cutters, and the absence of movable parts.

Fiber lasers can work on metals as well as organic materials. Although fiber laser cutters are very similar to crystal lasers they are more efficient and low maintenance.

Materials: Metals and Organic materials.

Based on the description of the types of laser cutters, here are some tips and suggestions to help you choose the right laser cutting or engraving machine.

CO2 Laser Cutting Machines vs. Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

CO2 Laser Cutters

  • History and Usage: CO2 laser cutters are the pioneers of laser cutting technology and have been the backbone of the metal industry for the last twenty years.
  • Advantages: They are particularly effective for thicker metals where good edge quality is required.
  • Limitations: CO2 lasers cannot cut reflective and conductive materials.
  • Maintenance: Since they have been around for a long time, factories often have trained in-house personnel for maintenance and repair.

Fiber Laser Cutters

  • Introduction and Development: Introduced around , fiber lasers offer higher cutting speeds and lower operating costs.
  • Advantages: Fiber lasers can cut reflective and conductive materials and can now cut up to 1.5 inches of metal after significant developments.
  • Popularity: Despite their higher initial cost, fiber lasers have become a popular choice due to their efficiency and versatility.
  • Limitations: Handling material can be challenging due to the machine's high cutting speed. Additionally, maintenance may require assistance from the supplier.

Material Handling and Operational Considerations

When choosing between CO2 and fiber laser machines, consider the following:

  • Material Handling: Understand the cutting speeds of your machine. Fiber lasers work very fast, which can make material handling challenging.
  • Operational Hours: Calculate the total working hours needed for your tasks and match them with the machine's speed to ensure efficient material handling.
  • Maintenance Needs: Evaluate your in-house capabilities for maintenance and repair. CO2 lasers are easier to manage with trained personnel, while fiber lasers may require supplier support for technical issues.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right laser cutting or engraving machine that best fits your industrial needs and operational capabilities.

Price Trends

If we look at the market prices of laser cutting or engraving machines, it varies on the basis of the type of work. Are you trying to use laser cutters or engravers as a hobby and looking for DIY laser machines? Good going! DIY laser machines are available for as low as 500$.

  • Genmitsu CNC -PRO Router Kit

This user-friendly laser cutting/engraving machine has the easiest setting up protocols. The accuracy of this machine is outstanding because of the high-speed software and good communication in the machine. The software is Grbl software which is open-source software so no need to worry about software procurement.

One good thing is that it can also run on Arduino. With a one-year warranty period, this device can cut materials like wood, plastics, PVCs, and acrylics. The price of this machine is 250 USD.

If you are not a hobbyist but somewhat of working from home kind of person, you might want to take a look at this laser engraving machine. This BIBO 3D Printer Dual Laser Engraving Machine works on objects that are organic in nature and softer e.g leather, wood, paper, and plastics.

It can do both, printing as well as engraving. This machine comes in a price range of 750 USD.

HS-FLC Series Small Desktop Sheet Metal Laser Cutter

When it comes to industry-leading laser cutting machines, HeatSign stands out as a trusted supplier. The HS-FLC Series Small Desktop Sheet Metal Laser Cutter is designed for precision and efficiency in various industrial applications. This compact yet powerful machine is ideal for small to medium-sized sheet metal cutting tasks, offering a versatile solution for your cutting needs.

Key Features

  • Compact Design: The desktop size makes it perfect for businesses with limited space, providing high functionality without compromising on workspace.
  • Precision Cutting: Capable of cutting a wide range of metals with exceptional accuracy, ensuring clean and smooth edges.
  • Versatile Use: Suitable for various metals such as steel, aluminum, and more, making it a flexible tool for different projects.
  • User-Friendly: Designed with an intuitive interface, this machine is easy to operate, even for those new to laser cutting technology.

Conclusion

This pretty much sums up our writing about the laser cutting machines and engraving machines. After figuring out what kind of work you need from your machine, you just have to look at the relevant specs of the machines.

If you have to work with non-metals, try going for CO2 laser cutters and engravers with a power range on the upper side. However, if your requirement is precise work and working on metals or reflective surfaces like steel, aluminum, you need to look for a fiber laser machine.

In any case, the choice is yours but the output varies with every choice. So you better make it right! 

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Author: Rex Hang

Experts specializing in industrial marking machines for more than 10 years, specializing in various solutions for providing laser marking machines and dot peen marking machines. Good at marking solutions in the energy, aerospace, automotive, electronics, metal processing, medical industries etc.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Single Table Fiber Laser Cutting Machine.

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