Many people love using lasers to make engraves and designs on different materials. Choosing between the two main types of laser machines – fiber laser and CO2 laser engraver – can be really confusing when you’re just starting out. Whether you like making things at home, run a small shop, or work in a big factory, it helps to know how these lasers are different. We’re going to look at how these two types of laser engraves compare to each other.
Let’s explore what makes each laser engraving machine special. We’ll look at how well they work, what materials they can mark, and how much they cost to buy and run, so you can pick the right one for what you want to do.
Key Differences in Lasers
Let’s take a look at how the light from each type of laser works. Fiber lasers emit a special kind of light that is easily absorbed by metals, which makes them great for marking and cutting metal items. When this light hits the metal, it can make clear markings and even cut the material.
CO2 lasers work on a different principle. The light emitted by these lasers is very effective on materials such as wood, fabric and plastics, but not so much on metals, which reflect their light away.
What materials can they be used for
Fiber laser engravers are best suited for metals like steel and aluminum. These machines can even handle certain plastics, so they can be used for many different jobs in factories.
CO2 laser engravers are great for non-metallic materials. They can handle materials such as glass, wood and fabric, and are often used to mark packaging and plastic tubes.
How Fast and Precise They Are
Fiber laser engraver can make very precise, tiny marks very quickly. This makes them ideal for marking serial numbers and special codes on products that require precise details. CO2 laser engraver make smoother cuts in thicker materials, but work at a slower speed than fiber optic lasers.
Power Usage
Fiber laser engravers do not require much power to operate. Even the most powerful fiber optic lasers use less power than CO2 lasers, which helps save money in the long run. CO2 laser engravers require more power to operate. This means higher electricity bills when you use them.
What Makes Fiber Laser Engraver Special
Fiber laser engravers can make very clear, permanent markings on metal. These markings will not fade or wear off, which is important when you need to keep track of parts or products. The lasers last a very long time. Fiber optic lasers can operate for over 100,000 hours before needing to be replaced and require very little maintenance to remain operational.
These fiber laser engravers are useful for many tasks. They can serialize metal parts, precisely mark aircraft and automotive parts, and even remove rust and old paint from metal surfaces.
What Makes CO2 Laser Engraver Special
CO2 laser engraver can work with many different materials. These lasers are perfect for working with things like wood, plastic, cloth, and glass, and they can make really clean cuts through thick materials. The best part is that CO2 lasers cost less to buy than fiber lasers. This makes them a good choice for people just starting their own business.
CO2 laser engraver are great for putting designs on wood and glass. They can cut through plastic and cloth really well, and they can even make pretty designs on stone and clay objects.
Fiber Laser Engraver Vs CO2 Laser Engraver:Which Laser Should You Choose?
The right laser engraver depends on what you want to do with it. Here’s how to decide:
Pick a Fiber Laser Engraver If:
You mostly work with metal things. This fiber laser engraver can make very tiny, exact marks, and they don’t cost much to run or take care of. Fiber lasers are also good if you need one machine that can do lots of different jobs in a factory.
Pick a CO2 Laser Engraver If:
You usually work with things like wood, glass, or cloth. These CO2 laser engraver are really good at cutting through thick materials that aren’t metal, and they cost less to buy at first. CO2 lasers might cost more to run over time, but they’re perfect if you don’t have a lot of money to spend right now.
Conclusion
Let’s wrap up what we’ve learned about these two types of lasers. Fiber laser engravers are newer and can do more things, especially when working with metal parts that need exact, detailed marks. These laser engravers save money on power bills and last a very long time, which makes them worth the higher cost if you work mainly with metal.
CO2 laser engravers have been around longer but still work great for certain jobs. They’re really good at cutting and marking things like wood, plastic, and cloth, and they make smooth, clean cuts in these materials.
Picking the right laser comes down to what you want to do with it. Think about what materials you’ll use most often, what kind of marks or cuts you need to make, and how much money you can spend. Fiber laser engravers are better at saving power and making precise marks, and they can do more different kinds of jobs. CO2 laser engravers cost less to buy and work really well with non-metal materials.