1500w Fiber Laser Cutting Machines: Capabilities, Working and Comparison

Introduction to 1500w Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Fiber laser cutting machines have become incredibly popular in recent years for industrial cutting applications. As the name suggests, these machines utilize a high-powered fiber laser to accurately cut through various materials like metals, plastics, wood, acrylic and more. The precision and speed offered by fiber lasers make them preferable over traditional CO2 lasers in many situations.

1500w fiber lasers represent some of the most powerful fiber laser cutting machines on the market. They are suitable for thick section cutting of mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys and more. Their high power allows them to cut faster and achieve superior edge quality compared to lower powered fiber or CO2 laser cutters.

What is a Fiber Laser?

A fiber laser uses optical fibers that have been doped with rare-earth elements as the lasing medium to produce the laser beam. The most common element used is ytterbium. Fiber lasers generate laser light through stimulated emission just like CO2 lasers.

Unlike the CO2 laser though which utilizes gas mixtures and electrical discharges, the fiber laser setup is more compact since the fibers act as light guides. This allows its beam delivery system to be flexible and efficient over longer distances.

Benefits of 1500w Fiber Lasers

1500w fiber lasers provide exceptional performance while cutting all types of metals up to 20mm thick. Here are some of the benefits they offer:

• Higher cutting speeds due to increased power output
• Smooth, precise cuts with minimal slag buildup
• Excellent edge quality with tight tolerance capability
• High cutting efficiency minimizing operating costs
• Longer lasting laser source than CO2 lasers
• Compact footprint saving production floor space

Cutting Capabilities

A 1500 watt fiber laser cutting machine can reliably and efficiently process many different materials:

• Mild steel: Up to 20 mm
• Stainless steel: Up to 15 mm
• Aluminum: Up to 10 mm
• Brass: Up to 4 mm
• Copper: Up to 6 mm

It can also cut acrylic, glass, wood, plastics, foam and more depending on the level of power and speed settings.

How Does a Fiber Laser Metal Cutting Machine Work?

A fiber laser metal cutting machine works by directing an extremely focused high-energy beam onto the metal. The beam heats up the metal to its melting point which leads to evaporation and burning. As the powerful fiber laser beam moves across the metal, it keeps penetrating and melting a narrow kerf thus achieving the cut.

Process Steps

The basic fiber laser cutting process involves 3 main steps:

1. Nozzle: An assist gas like oxygen, nitrogen or air is directed through a nozzle towards the cutting area.
2. Fiber laser beam: The small diameter focused beam melts its way through the metal by moving across it.
3. Removal: The molten metal is blown away by the fast-moving assist gas.

The quality of the cuts depends greatly on factors like cut speeds, laser power levels, focus position and assist gas pressure among other variables. Modern CNC controlled fiber laser cutters automate this cutting process for high throughput results.

Cut Quality

Some of the cut quality advantages of fiber laser cutting include:

• Narrow heat-affected zone around cut edges
• Very small kerf leads to excellent edge precision
• Burr-free cuts and smaller slag buildup
• Fine, precise detail capability
• Excellent dimensional accuracy for tight tolerance parts

What is a CO2 Laser Cutter?

CO2 laser cutting machines were once the industry standard before being mostly replaced by the faster and more efficient fiber laser technology. However they are still used for select applications.

CO2 lasers utilize a combination of gases like CO2, nitrogen and helium with electrical stimulation to generate a laser beam. Different gas mixes emit different wavelength beams optimal for certain materials.

Compare CO2 vs Fiber Laser Cutting

While cheaper to acquire, CO2 laser cutting has some disadvantages compared to fiber laser cutting:

• Slower cut speeds
• Larger kerf width leads to imprecise cuts
• Greater heat generation deforming cut edges
• Lower cut quality with delamination tendency
• Worse reflective metal cutting capability

To offset this, fiber lasers use extra hardware like external generators and chillers increasing initial costs but saving operating expenses long term.

Conclusion

1500w fiber laser cutting machines represent an advanced, extremely productive option to reliably cut thick and/or reflective metals. Their superiority over traditional CO2 laser cutters plus competitive pricing is why 1500w fiber laser cutters have become the new industry standard.

FAQs

What materials can a 1500w fiber laser cut?

A 1500w fiber laser can reliably cut mild steel up to 20 mm thick, stainless steel up to 15 mm, aluminum up to 10 mm, brass up to 4 mm, and copper up to 6 mm. It can also laser cut acrylic, wood, plastics and other non-metals.

What makes fiber lasers better for cutting than CO2 lasers?

Fiber lasers provide faster cut speeds, narrower kerf width, smaller heat-affected zones, superior edge quality, greater precision, and the ability to cut reflective materials when compared to conventional CO2 laser cutting machines.

What does the 1500 watt power relate to?

The 1500 watts refers to the power capacity of the fiber laser beam itself that is used to cut the material. Higher power such as 1500W allows thicker metals to be processed.

Can a 1500w fiber laser cut stainless steel?

Yes, a 1500 watt fiber laser cutting machine can reliably cut stainless steel up to 15 mm thickness. The focused high energy beam allows clean cuts through all grades of stainless steel.