Cutting with Fiber Lasers
Fiber lasers themselves are not new; they’ve been used in welding applications since the 1980s. The technology is relatively new for metal cutting, although Europeans began to use the technology long before its North American introduction. Ever since the discussion of choosing between fiber or CO2 lasers and/or making the switch from the more established CO2 has been a hot topic. Here, we’ll explore the similarities and differences and provide some tips for making the switch. Fiber laser cutting has its advantages, but you have to have the right application for the technology—namely, if you cut thin sheet metal with thicknesses up to 4 mm (0.6 in.) then fiber laser cutting may be an option for you. It can ...
