How does a fiber laser cutting machine work?
Start→ Set cutting parameters→ Place workpiece on the worktable→ Activate the fiber laser source→ Beam delivery system→ Focusing by the cutting head→ Assist gas supply→ CNC control system→ Laser cutting→ Assist gas blow-off→ Completion of cutting→ Remove the workpiece→ End
How to choose the best fiber laser cutter parts?
1. Machine bed
① Tube weld machine bed
Low-power fiber laser cutting machines (below 4000w) generally use a tube weld machine bed. This machine bed is welded by steel pipes and has a low cost, but is easy to deform.
② Steel plate weld machine bed
High-power fiber laser cutting machines (above 4000W) generally need to use a steel plate weld bed, which can carry thicker materials and ensure higher cutting accuracy. And this machine bed will not be deformed.
③ Cast iron machine bed
The cast iron machine bed is the strongest and has the longest life. But at the same time, it has longer production cycle and higher manufacturing price.
2. Laser head
The fiber laser heads can be divided into two types: automatic focus laser head and manual focus laser head. Auto focus laser head can automatically adjust the focal length through the system, while the manual focus laser head needs to manually rotate the focus knob of the laser head. Among them, the auto-focus laser head is divided into BM110 and BM111. The BM110 uses a hybrid servo motor, but the BM111 uses a servo motor. In addition, there is a difference in the focusing speed between the two- because the BM111 is longer. In addition, commonly used laser head brands include Raytools, WSX, Au3tech, and Precitec.
3. Beam
There are two main types of beams for fiber laser cutting machines: aviation aluminum beams and cast aluminum beams. Among them, the aviation aluminum beam is welded by aviation aluminum, which is lightweight and can ensure the fast running speed and high cutting accuracy. While the cast aluminum beam has a long life and stable precision.
4. Air and Water system
The gas system is installed on the main bed, mainly composed of nitrogen, oxygen and air. Nitrogen and oxygen are mainly used as cutting assist gases. A part of air is passed through the filter system, used as cutting auxiliary gas and protective gas. The other part is used for machine tool executive components, such as dust removal cylinder, positioning cylinder, etc. Oxygen is mainly used to cut carbon steel, and nitrogen is mainly used to cut stainless steel, aluminum, copper. And the cost of nitrogen is higher than that of oxygen.
The water system implements dual temperature and dual control, low temperature water is connected to the laser head, and high temperature water is connected to the laser head. Connect to the water port of the laser, connect the water inlet of the water cooler to the water outlet of the optical fiber, and connect the water outlet to the water inlet.
What materials can a fiber laser cutting machine cut?
- Metals
- Mild steel
- Stainless steel
- Carbon steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Copper
- Titanium
Alloys
- Nickel alloys
- Carbon steel
- High-strength steels
- Inconel
- Hastelloy
- Tool steels
What can a fiber laser cutter being used for?
A fiber laser cutter is a versatile and powerful tool used in various industries for precise and efficient cutting of different materials. Some common applications of a fiber laser cutter include:
Sheet metal processing
Fiber laser cutters excel in cutting thin to thick sheet metals, making them ideal for producing parts, components, and prototypes used in industries like manufacturing, construction, and electronics.
Signage and advertising
The high precision and versatility of fiber laser cutters make them suitable for cutting letters, logos, and designs from various materials like metal, acrylic, wood, and more. This is commonly used in signage, advertising, and display applications.
Jewelry manufacturing
Fiber laser cutters are used in the jewelry industry to cut intricate patterns, shapes, and designs in precious metals and gemstones.
Medical device manufacturing
In the medical field, fiber laser cutters are used to cut medical devices, implants, and surgical instruments from materials like stainless steel and titanium.
Electronics and PCB production
Fiber lasers can cut precise patterns and shapes on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components, aiding in the production of electronic devices.
Automotive industry
Fiber laser cutters are employed in the automotive sector for cutting various parts and components, including exhaust pipes, chassis, brackets, and body panels.
Prototyping and rapid manufacturing
The speed and accuracy of fiber laser cutters make them valuable for rapid prototyping and small-scale production of custom parts.
Art and design
Artists and designers use fiber laser cutters to create intricate sculptures, architectural models, and decorative pieces from various materials like wood, acrylic, and metal.
How many type of fiber laser cutting machines?
Fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheet
Open type metal sheet fiber laser cutter
All cover metal sheet fiber laser cutter
Fiber laser cutting machine for metal tube
Fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheet and tube
Open type 2-in-1 metal laser cutting machine
Dual-use metal fiber laser cutting machine With exchange platform
What’s the advantages of a fiber laser cutter?
High precision
Fiber lasers offer exceptional accuracy and precision in cutting various materials. The concentrated and intense laser beam allows for fine detailing and the ability to cut intricate shapes with tight tolerances.
Fast speed
Fiber lasers are incredibly fast compared to other cutting methods. They can cut through material at high speeds, resulting in increased productivity and reduced production times.
Good versatility
Fiber laser cutting machines can process a wide range of materials, including metals (such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, etc.), plastics, and even some non-metallic materials. This versatility makes them suitable for various industries and applications.
High energy efficiency
Fiber lasers are more energy-efficient compared to traditional CO2 lasers. They consume less power, resulting in reduced operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint.
Low maintenance
Fiber laser cutting machines have a relatively simple design with fewer moving parts, making them easier to maintain. They often require less maintenance and have longer service lives compared to other cutting technologies.
Non-contact cutting
Fiber lasers utilize a non-contact cutting process, which means the laser beam does not physically touch the material being cut. This reduces the risk of material contamination and minimizes wear and tear on the equipment.
Minimal kerf width
The laser beam’s small focal diameter allows for a narrow cutting kerf, which means less material is wasted during the cutting process. This is particularly valuable when dealing with expensive materials or aiming for maximum material utilization.
High automation and integration
Fiber laser cutting machines can be easily integrated into automated production lines, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs. They can be equipped with loading and unloading systems, as well as advanced CNC controls for seamless automation.
Cleaner cuts and edges
Fiber lasers produce clean and smooth cuts, requiring minimal post-processing. The edges of the cut are typically free from burrs and distortion, reducing the need for additional finishing steps.
High safety
Modern fiber laser cutting machines come equipped with safety features such as protective enclosures, sensors, and safety interlocks to ensure operator safety during the cutting process.
FAQ of fiber laser cutting machines
Customers in different countries will encounter various installation and operation troubles. How to solve those troubles? Here, I provide you with some frequent asked questions for reference. Thus, you will be not worried and anxious when face these difficulties.
Voltage
Usually, Blue Elephant CNC machines can operate at 380V/3PH/ 50HZ or 220V/1PH/50HZ. And the acceptable voltage tolerance is ±10%. So it’s OK that our customer’s machine voltage within 400V.
However, if the customer’s machine voltage is 220V/3PH (for countries like the USA, Canada, and other South American countries), a transformer needs to be added. By using a transformer calculator, one can determine how big a transformer you need. In addition, in some countries, the voltage is unstable, and the voltage fluctuation is greater than 10%. At this time, an additional voltage regulator is required.
Operating costs
Operating costs mainly include power consumption, gas consumption, and wearing parts consumption.
Power consumption mainly depends on the total laser power. The gas consumption was determined by the main processing material. For example, carbon steel consumes nitrogen, while stainless steel, aluminum, and copper consume oxygen. If the customer mainly processes thin plates, it is recommended to use an air compressor to save gas consumption costs.
The consumption of wearing parts is relatively cheap- about $550 per year. The wearing parts mainly include the protective mirror, nozzle, ceramic ring and TTW cable. The protective mirror should be replaced every 600 hours; the nozzle should be replaced every 600 hours; the ceramic ring should be replaced about half a year; and the TTW cable should be replaced every year.
After-sales service
Blue Elephant can provide door-to-door and lifelong technical services. But customers need to bear the cost of air tickets and accommodation (the specific cost can be negotiated). Due to the high cost of air tickets and accommodation, online training is recommended first. Our online training includes a full set of installation and tutorial videos as well as PDF. And there is an online 24-hour after-sales group, or you can communicate by email or phone.
Warranty
The warranty of the light cutting machine is 24 months. During the warranty period, all accessories will be replaced under normal use (except for optical fiber optics, which can only be guaranteed). It can also provide accessories to customers at cost price beyond the warranty period.
Payment
We support L/C letter of credit, T/T wire transfer, and Alibaba trade assurance order.
T/T wire transfer is our most commonly used method. But we don’t recommend the payment method- letter of credit. Because the procedure of letter of credit is complicated and it takes a long time. If you are worried about payment security, you can use Alibaba Credit Insurance.
