Fiber Lasers vs CO2 Lasers: Determining Which You Should Use

Laser-cutting technology produces high-quality, accurate materials for commercial and recreational use. However, there is more than one type of laser to consider, with CO2 and fiber lasers being some of the most common. Using an inferior laser, or one ill-suited for the job at hand, can cause less than satisfying cutting and engraving results, wasting time and impacting your bottom line. So what is the difference between CO2 and fiber lasers? And which one should you choose?

The following article covers the specific details of fiber lasers vs CO2 lasers to help you choose the right cutting system for your projects. Read on to learn:

How do lasers work?
What is the difference between CO2 and fiber lasers?
Fiber lasers vs CO2 lasers: which is better?

Understanding Lasers

From the medical industry to the manufacturing business, lasers are used in more ways today than ever. These advanced pieces of technology produce light in extremely precise beams with consistent wavelengths and frequencies that travel in a straight line. With a powerful energy source, proper gain medium, and reliable resonator, focused laser beams can cut materials and leave edges with high-quality surface finishes.

While the general concept is the same, CO2 and fiber lasers work differently to achieve unique results.

How Does a Fiber Laser Work?

As the name suggests, fiber lasers utilize fiber optics as a gain medium—silica glass mixed with a rare earth element—to bring the light source from the resonator to the cutting head. The cutting head calibrates the laser through several focal lenses, concentrating the beam into a minuscule point that is incredibly precise and powerful. However, this does not determine how the light source is established and only the laser’s delivery method.

How Does a CO2 Laser Work?

CO2 lasers reference the creation of the beam as opposed to its calibration. These devices use compressed carbon dioxide gas in high-velocity tubes to remove light particles from ions, causing those light particles to smash into each other and split even further. After the resonator has generated an adequate level of light, it is sent to the cutting head using a series of mirrored reflections, where it is then refocused and emitted, similar to the style of fiber lasers.

Deciding which type of high-power cutting system to invest in is much easier when a professional can guide you. Learn more about your automated cutting systems here with OSC.

Automated Cutting Systems at Oxygen Service

What Is the Difference Between CO2 and Fiber Lasers?

There are several differences when comparing fiber lasers vs CO2 lasers besides their methods of producing and emitting beams. For one, they use different energy sources and operate at conflicting wavelengths. Fiber lasers operate at shorter wavelengths that allow for higher absorption rates, meaning when dealing with materials that reflect lasers, such as metals, it absorbs fiber lasers at a much higher rate than CO2, which has longer wavelengths.

Fiber lasers also have smaller focal points that make it easier to engrave these reflective materials with accuracy but much more challenging and impractical to cut through thick materials, unlike a carbon dioxide laser. Some fiber lasers can cut through metal, but to do so quickly, they rely on large industrial machines. They are used less for cutting materials–unless on a large industrial machine–and mainly for engraving specific metals like aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and titanium. Although gas lasers have a slower cutting speed, they can be used on many materials, such as fabrics, wood, rubber, plastics, stone, glass, cardboard, acrylic, and more.

Fiber Laser vs CO2 Laser: Pros and Cons

Fiber Laser Pros:

Better at engraving and metals due to operating at shorter wavelengths that allow for better absorption rates with reflective materials
Small focal points allow for quick, detailed, and precise engraving
Short warm-up times
Requires less overall maintenance

Fiber Laser Cons:

Small focal points make it difficult to cut through thicker materials
Typically more expensive due o their solid-state nature
Standard cutting beds are often limited in size unless using an industrial machine

CO2 Laser Pros:

Can work with a wide range of materials
Better edge quality when cutting
Capable of cutting through thick materials
Contain larger bed sizes for more practical use
Generally, the more affordable option of the two

CO2 Laser Cons:

Tubes require replacing every few years, along with additional maintenance needs
Consumes more energy to use and results in higher operating costs
Generally much slower than fiber lasers

Fiber Laser vs CO2: Which Is Better?

When comparing the qualities of fiber lasers vs CO2 lasers, it’s clear that they were not created equal—but that doesn’t mean one is inherently better than the other. Where the fiber laser excels, CO2 lasers falter, but the opposite is equally true. Each laser is built to accomplish specific tasks that the other may or may not be capable of. The real deciding factors when choosing a type of laser depends on the intended application, material type, and thickness.

If you plan on marking metal with incredible accuracy and speed, you may want to consider a fiber laser. Or, if you want to cut through various thick materials, a CO2 lasser might be in your best interest. There are many factors to consider, but regardless of the type of laser, you’re after, obtaining them through a trustworthy and reputable supplier like Oxygen Service Co is essential.

Adopt Automated Cutting Systems With Oxygen Service Co.

Oxygen Service Co. is an employee-owned business through and through, so we understand how important it is to have high-quality products. We’ve been providing clients with industry-leading solutions for gas, welding, and automation needs for over six decades, and we don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Our automated plasma-cutting systems are top-of-the-line, designed and produced by established manufacturers like Hornet. Whether you need maintenance, an upgrade, or a new cutting system, we can deliver what you need when you need it.

If you want to implement automated cuttings systems that make your job easier than ever, contact Oxygen Service—we would be happy to serve your business needs.