What is Fiber Laser Metal Cutting and Fabrication?
A fiber laser metal cutting machine makes cutting metal a snap. With a laser metal cutter, the types of projects you can take on and the ideas you can bring to life are virtually endless. We'll explain how laser metal cutting works, what to look for when choosing a new machine, and walk you through the features of OMTech's industry-leading FC fiber metal cutting machines.
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Laser Metal Cutting and Fabrication Basics
Metal cutting is part of the metal fabrication process, which creates new metal structures, such as machines and component parts, by cutting, bending, and assembling metal into new shapes and formats. Industrial metal cutting machines are critical for precisely cutting thin sheets of metal to produce component parts for things we use every day, particularly electronics, automobiles, and medical equipment.
Metal is also laser cut to create circuit boards, casings for wires, car doors, hub caps, and much more. In the medical field, laser-cut metal is used to make hospital beds and gurneys, as well as surgical instruments and orthopedic pins, rods, and plates.
But, despite their importance to the industrial sector, laser cutters aren't just for large, professional metal shops. Today's metal laser cutters are compact and budget-friendly, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes. Thanks to these technological advances, small businesses and hobbyists can now use laser metal cutters to create unique items like intricate signs and plaques, accurate model buildings, stencils, coasters, keychains, ornaments, and even jewelry.
Investing in a laser metal cutter to do your metal cutting in-house is a surefire way to boost your business. Not having to send metal out to be cut by a third party boosts your profitability and puts you in control of your projects' timelines, eliminating wait times that can slow production. Having a laser metal cutter in-house also allows you to take on new types of projects and expand your business offerings, which increases your long-term return on investment.
CO2 Laser vs. Fiber Laser Metal Cutting Machine
There are two major types of laser metal cutters: Fiber and CO2 lasers. Both use intense beams of light to cut through metal and are far more powerful and expensive than metal engravers. CO2 laser metal cutters use oxygen, mirrors, and glass tubes to create and direct their lasers. Fiber laser metal cutters don’t require a support gas because they use rare elements, like erbium, ytterbium, and neodymium, to create an optical laser.
In order to decide which is best for you, consider what types of metal you plan to cut. Each type of metal has different properties that impact how it can be cut. CO2 lasers are excellent for cutting steel and stainless steel but can have trouble cutting aluminum and brass, which are both highly reflective. Fiber lasers are more powerful than CO2 lasers, so they can easily cut through most metals, and are especially good at cutting copper and aluminum.
Since CO2 lasers tend to be cheaper than fiber lasers, they are an excellent choice for small businesses and hobbyists planning to laser etch steel or stainless steel. If you want to cut a larger variety of metals, or need smaller and more precise cuts, a fiber laser may be worth the investment.
What to Look for in a Laser Metal Cutter
Whether you're cutting metal sheets, pipes, or stainless steel and aluminum rods, there is a laser metal cutter made for the task. There are four key factors to consider when choosing a laser fiber metal cutter: Working area, laser power supply, laser speed, warranty and service offerings:
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Working Area: Also known as bed-size, this is the size of the actual table used for cutting metal. Choose a working area that is large enough to fit the size of the metal you are working with but not so big that it is outsized for your space or needs. Make the most of the cutting surface by choosing an open-faced table model.
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Laser Power Supply: The higher the laser's power supply wattage, the more power the laser will have to cut through metal. More powerful fiber laser metal cutters come with higher price tags, so look for one that meets but does not exceed your needs so that you're not paying for more power than you'll actually use.
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Laser Speed: Laser speed is important to your productivity when cutting metal, but the laser's speed and power supply must be matched so that one does not outpace the other, which could damage the metal you are cutting.
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Warranty and Service: Protect your investment by choosing a reputable company that provides training on its machines and backs up its products with a substantial warranty and expert-level technical support.
Top Fiber Laser Metal Cutting Machines
Based in Southern California, OMTech is an industry leader in fiber laser metal cutting. Each machine in its FC fiber laser metal cutter line offers a large working area and uses sawtooth working tables to ensure stability. OMTech's lasers are powerful, fast, precise, and efficient. With a range of 1.5 kilowatts (kW) to 3 kW, they are powerful enough to cut through stainless steel up to 8 mm thick.
OMTech uses German-manufactured IPG lasers, which have a high-quality beam, operate at a high frequency, and use high-quality materials. Unlike the Lightburn software found in other laser metal cutting machines, OMTech machines use Cypcut software. Cypcut dramatically simplifies complex machine operations and makes it easy to draw and cut a piece in just a few clicks. Importantly, Cypcut software allows you to nest your work before you cut so you can manipulate your project's design to optimize cutting space and avoid wasting materials. It also automatically optimizes errors when importing drawings, deleting duplicates, and smoothing curves to ensure you get a perfect cut.
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OMTech's fiber laser metal cutters are built with safety and durability in mind. They are corrosion-resistant and include a smoke filtration system and transformer. They are also designed to be adapted to meet your particular needs. With OMTech, you can customize the laser strength and type for your machine and choose open- or closed-bed models to create the right fit for you.
Here is a snapshot of the features and capabilities of four machines in OMTech's FC fiber laser metal cutter line:
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OMTech FC-105C: This is the most cost-effective fiber laser metal cutter on the market for light metal fabrication. Its compact, all-in-one open-bed table configuration offers a 3 m x 1.5 m cutting area, a cutting speed of 666 mm/s, a precision of +/-0.05 mm, and the capacity to easily cut up to 12 mm of carbon steel sheets with its 1.5 kW IPG fiber laser.
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OMTech FC-44: If space is at a premium, the compact OMTech FC-44 is the machine for you. While it gives you a smaller footprint with its 1.3 m x 1.3 m sawtooth work-bed area, it does not skimp on highly precise metal processing. With a powerful IPG laser strength range of 1.5 kW to 3 kW, cutting speeds of mm/s, and a precision of +/-0.05 mm, the FC-44 can be used for light to medium-heavy metal fabrications, and is perfect for small to medium metal fabrication.
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OMTech FC-105: The most sought-after of the line, the OMTech FC-105 is of such high quality that it meets aerospace standards. It features a large, open-bed table with a 3 m x 1.5 m cutting area and also delivers lightning-fast cutting at mm/s with a precision of +/-0.05 mm. Designed to be customized for a variety of metal fabrication purposes, you can choose from a 1.5 kW or 3 kW IPG laser.
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OMTech FC-510: OMTech's top-end option for heavy metal fabrication, the FC-510, builds on the FC-105's flagship features to create a powerful and elegant machine designed to maximize safety. Its fully enclosed machine encapsulates debris and sparks while its pull-out platform makes it easy to get materials in and out of its 3 m x 1.5 m cutting area.
Why Choose OMTech
In addition to offering top-of-the-line quality and technology, OMTech backs up its products with outstanding customer support. When you buy from OMTech's FC line, you get free installation and three days of on-site training for your new machine.
OMTech also offers a top-notch warranty on its products, including lifetime, US-based technical support from experienced professionals. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee and a two-year, full-service, bumper-to-bumper warranty to give you peace of mind and ensure you get the most out of your investment. With its easy financing program, which allows you to pay in installments, OMTech helps you put your new fiber laser metal cutter to work for your business right away.
Contact OMTech to learn more about its FC fiber laser metal cutter line and see how it can help your business soar.
Fiber laser cutting machines have revolutionized the metal fabrication industry, offering high precision, efficiency, and versatility at a price point that is 1/3rd of what it was just a few years ago. Selecting the right fiber laser cutting machine is crucial for businesses to optimize their productivity, quality, and return on investment. In this article, we will discuss key factors to consider when choosing a fiber laser cutting machine, focusing on table size, resonator power, automation options, factory support, and of course, price.
Selecting the Right Table Size:
The table size of a fiber laser cutting machine determines the maximum dimensions of the material it can accommodate. When selecting a machine, consider the typical sheet size or workpiece dimensions you will be working with. While almost all machines are standardized at 5' X 10', you can increase your capacity for little more to a 6' X 12' machine or even larger. As you increase cutting capacity on the laser table size you also decrease the competition as fewer tables are sold at these larger sizes making the capable competitors slim. It is essential to choose a table size that comfortably accommodates your largest workpieces while leaving some room for flexibility and just as importantly accommodates the largest blank sheets you can obtain at the lowest prices (sometimes that 's 5' X 12' sheets). Oversized tables can be more costly and inefficient if you cannot use the capability, while undersized tables such as 4' X 4' machines will greatly limit your production capabilities.
Resonator Kilowatts: Choosing the Right Power for Thickness & Speed
The resonator kilowatt rating determines the cutting power of the fiber laser machine. It is crucial to select the appropriate power level based on the thickness of the materials you will be cutting and the desired cutting speed. Thicker materials generally require higher power levels to ensure efficient piercing and cutting. However, it is essential to strike a balance between power and speed, as higher power lasers may also increase operating costs and affect overall productivity. As of this writing the most popular choices are in the 6-12KW range whereas the higher KW used doesn't necessarily elate to more cutting capacity in thickness but rather more linear cut speed. It's also VERY important to match this to the machines acceleration as there is no point in having a machine capable of cutting lightning fast if your machine goes into and out of corners at turtle speeds.
Automation Options: Adding Auto Sheet Loaders/Unloaders for Performance & Payback
Automation options can not only significantly enhance the performance and productivity of a fiber laser cutting machine they can accelerate payback too. Consider integrating an automatic sheet loader and unloader system into your machine, especially if you have high production volumes. By adding a sheet loading and unloading system you can keep your machine running around the clock and although automation may add 50% to the cost of your machine they can often feed multiple machines as you grow. These systems allow for continuous and uninterrupted cutting by automatically feeding and removing sheets, reducing operator intervention and optimizing material handling. Although the initial investment may be higher, the improved efficiency and reduced labor costs can lead to significant long-term payback especially when you consider dividing your payback by 3 shifts which means and ROI of 3X faster than a machine without automation.
Fiber Laser Factory Support
When investing in a fiber laser cutting machine, it is essential to assess the level of factory support offered by the manufacturer. Reliable technical support, training, and after-sales service are critical to ensure smooth machine operation, maintenance, and timely resolution of any issues. Whether you choose a domestic or foreign made machine, getting quick and good factory support is crucial to your success. Research the reputation of the manufacturer for their customer support, including response times, availability of spare parts, and accessibility to technical assistance. Also consider that the big names may have 50+ service technicians available but may be so backed up that you wait weeks for service whereas the lesser known brands may be able to service you in a matter of hours instead. Opting for a manufacturer with a strong support system can save you valuable time and resources in the long run.
Purchase Price
While the purchase price is an important consideration, it should not be the sole deciding factor when selecting a fiber laser cutting machine. It is essential to evaluate the machine's overall value, taking into account its capabilities, performance, durability, and long-term cost of ownership. A cheaper machine may have limitations in terms of power, cutting speed, or reliability, leading to increased downtime, higher maintenance costs & higher per part costs. Therefore, it is advisable to strike a balance between the initial purchase price and the expected return on investment over the machine's lifespan. Remember too that adding automation, even if it means adding 50% to the purchase price, can significantly decrease the payback time in to as little as 12-18 months vs 5-7 years without.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of enclosed fiber laser cutting machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.