Choosing a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine(1)
If you're interested in purchasing a fiber laser cutter for your home or small business, you've probably discovered that there are several options at widely varying prices. Fiber laser cutters start at $100 and can cost up to $10,000 or more, and range in size from small models that fit on a desk to large industrial machines that can weigh hundreds of pounds. In this guide, we'll help you determine which type of fiber laser cutting machine is best for your needs, and which models to consider when shopping for a fiber laser cutting machine.
What materials can fiber laser cutting machines cut and engrave?
Fiber laser cutting machines are capable of cutting a wide variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, leather, acrylic, and wood. For wood, it is important to note that most consumer and prosumer fiber laser cutters cannot cut wood thicker than ¼” thick.
Most affordable fiber laser cutters cannot cut or engrave metal. If you need to cut metal, you'll need to spend more money on a fiber laser cutting machine. With cheaper knives, you can choose to burn off the top coat of the metal to carve the design. For example, you can use a laser to burn off the anodized coating to engrave the design into anodized aluminum. However, you won't be able to physically engrave designs deep into the metal itself.
Types of Fiber Laser Cutting Machines
Not all fiber laser cutting machines are created equal. Your specific requirements will affect which type of fiber laser cutting machine is best for you. We've covered three main types of fiber laser cutting machines in this guide:
diode laser generator
Usually the smallest, cheapest and lowest power fiber laser cutting machine. While there are powerful diode lasers, most options in this category are affordable, but not as powerful as other categories of fiber laser cutters. Diode lasers can be a great option to try out the idea of owning a fiber laser cutting machine. They are great for cutting materials like paper and cardboard.
Comments
Post a Comment