No matter the industry, buying a fiber laser cutting machine is a decision you should not take lightly. To make an informed purchase, you’ll need to know the essentials of fiber cutting laser machines. In this article, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of fiber laser cutters—granting you knowledge on laser power, cutting speed, focal length, assist gas, and more!
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How Do I Choose the Power of a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?
Selecting the power of your fiber laser cutter for metal involves careful consideration of the material thickness you generally process. Understand that this plays a crucial role in determining the desired power capacity of your equipment.
A laser-cutting machine for metal with less power might need help to process thicker materials. To accurately estimate the power required, use the following as a broad guideline based on the thickness of the material:
- For steel that is 1/4 inch thick or less, you'll need a minimum of 1.5 kW.
- For steel that is 3/8 inch thick or less, you'll need at least 2 kW.
- For steel that is 1/2 inch thick or less, you'll need a minimum of 3 kW.
- For steel up to 1 inch in thickness, consider a laser cutter with 6 kW.
At the end of the day, it is essential to select a power suitably calibrated to your specific needs to ensure optimum functionality and enhanced productivity. Depending on the type and thickness of the metal you are cutting, you should ensure your fiber laser metal-cutting machine accommodates the intended material.
What Focal Length Should I Use for Fiber Cutters?
The focal length lens for fiber laser cutters ranges from 1.5 inches to 5 inches, each length possessing beneficial characteristics. For example, a 1.5-inch focal lens is ideal for thin lines and detailed jobs, while a 5-inch focal lens performs large cuts for big items.
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1.5-inch lens: Concise focal length that produces a spot size of 0.003 inches. Not ideal for cutting thick lines.
2-inch lens: Great general-purpose lens for thin lines and detailed work. Spot size of 0.004 inches.2.5-inch lens: Halfway between finesse and functionality. Can cut material up to ½ inch thick. Spot size of 0.005 inches. 5-inch lens: Designed for cutting into deep, bulky areas. Spot size of 0.01 inches.
What Is the Assist Gas for Laser Cutting?
For laser cutting, the most common assist gasses are oxygen, nitrogen, argon, air, or mixed gas. The purpose of the air-assist gasses is to blow away the heated material during the cutting process. When using air-assist gas for your fiber laser cutter, using pure gas is essential for maintaining the cutting head. Consider the following gasses for fiber laser cutting:
Oxygen: Less up-front cost. Oxygen is the only gas suitable for cutting thick carbon steel. Cannot be used to laser cut aluminum or laser cut stainless steel. Nitrogen: Achieves best-quality and faster cuts than oxygen. The downside is higher consumption rates.
How Fast Can a Laser Cutter Cut?
Most OMTech fiber cutters can cut up to mm/s, with up to 1G acceleration. The FC-105SA Fiber Laser Cutting Machine, with its increased power, has an even greater max speed of mm/s. Therefore, the cutting speed of the fiber cutter depends on the power of the machine.
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OMTech fiber cutters have laser powers ranging from 1.5 kW to 6 kW. More powerful equipment allows for faster cutting speeds. Therefore, those looking for a highly industrial laser cutter for laser-cut metal sheets will benefit from a larger, stronger machine like the FC-510 Fiber Laser Cutter.
If you’re interested in using a fiber cutter for small jobs and leisure activities, using a lower-powered machine will do the job just as well while saving you money. On the other hand, if you're utilizing a fiber laser cutter for personal projects, a lower-power model should suffice.
Opting for a lower-powered fiber laser cutter machine might save costs in the long run, but a higher-powered machine will offer beneficial time efficiencies for more intensive usage. Despite which situation you find yourself in, OMTech offers solutions for all of your fiber laser cutting needs!
Cut to the Chase with OMTech!
If the prospect of investing in a fiber cutter still seems intimidating, we’re here to help! Contact us today for more information on our top-rated fiber laser cutting machines for metal and we’ll help match you with the right fiber cutter. Remember, the quality of your laser machine is of the utmost importance—it’s worth the time, effort, and money to get a fiber cutter that helps you succeed.
Fiber laser cutting machines have revolutionized the metal fabrication industry, offering high precision, efficiency, and versatility at a price point that is 1/3rd of what it was just a few years ago. Selecting the right fiber laser cutting machine is crucial for businesses to optimize their productivity, quality, and return on investment. In this article, we will discuss key factors to consider when choosing a fiber laser cutting machine, focusing on table size, resonator power, automation options, factory support, and of course, price.
Selecting the Right Table Size:
The table size of a fiber laser cutting machine determines the maximum dimensions of the material it can accommodate. When selecting a machine, consider the typical sheet size or workpiece dimensions you will be working with. While almost all machines are standardized at 5' X 10', you can increase your capacity for little more to a 6' X 12' machine or even larger. As you increase cutting capacity on the laser table size you also decrease the competition as fewer tables are sold at these larger sizes making the capable competitors slim. It is essential to choose a table size that comfortably accommodates your largest workpieces while leaving some room for flexibility and just as importantly accommodates the largest blank sheets you can obtain at the lowest prices (sometimes that 's 5' X 12' sheets). Oversized tables can be more costly and inefficient if you cannot use the capability, while undersized tables such as 4' X 4' machines will greatly limit your production capabilities.
Resonator Kilowatts: Choosing the Right Power for Thickness & Speed
The resonator kilowatt rating determines the cutting power of the fiber laser machine. It is crucial to select the appropriate power level based on the thickness of the materials you will be cutting and the desired cutting speed. Thicker materials generally require higher power levels to ensure efficient piercing and cutting. However, it is essential to strike a balance between power and speed, as higher power lasers may also increase operating costs and affect overall productivity. As of this writing the most popular choices are in the 6-12KW range whereas the higher KW used doesn't necessarily elate to more cutting capacity in thickness but rather more linear cut speed. It's also VERY important to match this to the machines acceleration as there is no point in having a machine capable of cutting lightning fast if your machine goes into and out of corners at turtle speeds.
Automation Options: Adding Auto Sheet Loaders/Unloaders for Performance & Payback
Automation options can not only significantly enhance the performance and productivity of a fiber laser cutting machine they can accelerate payback too. Consider integrating an automatic sheet loader and unloader system into your machine, especially if you have high production volumes. By adding a sheet loading and unloading system you can keep your machine running around the clock and although automation may add 50% to the cost of your machine they can often feed multiple machines as you grow. These systems allow for continuous and uninterrupted cutting by automatically feeding and removing sheets, reducing operator intervention and optimizing material handling. Although the initial investment may be higher, the improved efficiency and reduced labor costs can lead to significant long-term payback especially when you consider dividing your payback by 3 shifts which means and ROI of 3X faster than a machine without automation.
Fiber Laser Factory Support
When investing in a fiber laser cutting machine, it is essential to assess the level of factory support offered by the manufacturer. Reliable technical support, training, and after-sales service are critical to ensure smooth machine operation, maintenance, and timely resolution of any issues. Whether you choose a domestic or foreign made machine, getting quick and good factory support is crucial to your success. Research the reputation of the manufacturer for their customer support, including response times, availability of spare parts, and accessibility to technical assistance. Also consider that the big names may have 50+ service technicians available but may be so backed up that you wait weeks for service whereas the lesser known brands may be able to service you in a matter of hours instead. Opting for a manufacturer with a strong support system can save you valuable time and resources in the long run.
Purchase Price
While the purchase price is an important consideration, it should not be the sole deciding factor when selecting a fiber laser cutting machine. It is essential to evaluate the machine's overall value, taking into account its capabilities, performance, durability, and long-term cost of ownership. A cheaper machine may have limitations in terms of power, cutting speed, or reliability, leading to increased downtime, higher maintenance costs & higher per part costs. Therefore, it is advisable to strike a balance between the initial purchase price and the expected return on investment over the machine's lifespan. Remember too that adding automation, even if it means adding 50% to the purchase price, can significantly decrease the payback time in to as little as 12-18 months vs 5-7 years without.
