CO2 & Fibre Laser Cutting: What’s the Difference | Premet Fabrication

In the past few decades, laser cutting has grown to become the cutting method of choice for sheet metal.

Laser cutting combines software with precision hardware to offer the very highest standard of laser cutting. However, not all laser cutting machines are created equally and there are differences between CO2 laser cutting machines and Fibre Laser cutting solutions. With this in mind, the natural question is which laser cutting system is better. In today’s blog, we want to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the respective systems.

What Is CO2 Laser Cutting & Fibre Laser Cutting

In the simplest terms, CO2 laser cutting is a sheet metal cutting technique that uses an electrically driven gas laser. This laser technique can use either oxygen or nitrogen.
Fibre cutting lasers on the other hand are lasers created by an active fibre. The fibre is then transmitted over a transport fibre to the machine's cutting head.

Advantages of CO2 Laser Cutting?

CO2 Fibre cutting lasers offer a faster initial pierce time. It's also faster when cutting straight lines and leaves a smoother laser cut part surface when cutting through materials that are over 5mm.

Advantages of Fibre Laser Cutting

Fibre laser cutting machines are maintenance-free and have a long service lifespan. Fibre lasers are also smaller than C02 lasers making them better suited to intricate cuttings, markings and integral to sheet metal design.

Disadvantages of C02 Lasers

C02 lasers use significantly more power than a fibre laser, making them expensive to run.

Disadvantages of Fibre Lasers

For industrial units, fibre lasers are expensive to buy.

What’s the best laser cutting system?

Although both systems have their uses, C02 laser cutting is an ageing technology. In all likelihood, fibre laser innovation will overtake the inherent advantages of CO2 lasers. Fibre lasers offer fast cutting times, lower operating costs and enhanced precision cuts. Therefore, fibre lasers have become the laser cutting technology of the future.