Metal fiber lasers use a laser that is passed through an optical fiber cable to a laser head. The fiber is the active laser medium that is doped with rare earth metals like thulium, ytterbium, and erbium, which differentiates it from other laser technology.

The metal fiber laser finds usage in a wide variety of scenarios in the metal cutting industry. Since the laser beam is only 1.0 micron thick, the power density on the focus point is 2.5 times higher than the conventional CO2 lasers.

The metal fiber laser has higher absorption than the conventional CO2 lasers. Hence, the metals like copper and aluminum, which have high reflective properties, can be cut easily with this laser. Besides this, a fiber laser can also cut through a wide array of materials like stainless steel, brass, carbon nanotubes, black/white ABS, nylon, Teflon, and polycarbonate resins.

Yes, a fiber laser cutting machine can cut tubes of different shapes, including:

– Round tubes: Fiber lasers can cut round steel, aluminum, and other metal tubes. The laser head or tube rotates to cut around the circumference of the tube.

– Square/rectangular tubes: Square and rectangular tubes can also be cut with fiber lasers. The machine’s motion system positions the laser head to make straight cuts along the sides of the tube. The tube may need to be rotated or tilted to cut in different directions.

– Oval tubes: Fiber lasers can cut oval-shaped tubes by cutting around the profile of the oval. The motion system will need to accommodate the tube’s oval geometry to make correct and precise cuts. Special tube holding fixtures may be required for stable cutting of oval and irregularly-shaped tubes.

– Custom tube shapes: With a capable motion system and proper tube fixture, a fiber laser can cut custom tube shapes and profiles. The machine may need 3D CAD modeling capabilities to program the complex motion and cutting patterns required to cut custom tube profiles.

A typical fiber laser cutting machine can cut tubes up to around 8 inches (200 mm) in diameter. Some key limitations on the maximum tube size include:

– Laser power: Most fiber laser cutters have laser powers up to around 6 kW. This is sufficient for cutting tubes up to 8 inches in diameter at practical cutting speeds. Higher power lasers, in the range of 8-12 kW or more, would be needed to cut significantly larger diameter tubes.

– Focus lens: Standard focus lenses can typically focus the laser beam to a spot size suitable for cutting tubes up to 8 inches. Longer focal length lenses would be required to focus the beam across larger tube diameters, but these longer lenses reduce the cutting power density and typically have more limited working distances.

– Rotational speed: Most fiber laser cutters have rotational speeds of around 100-200 RPM. This is fast enough to cut around an 8-inch diameter tube at normal cutting speeds. Larger tubes would require much higher rotational speeds to maintain practical cutting speeds, which requires a more powerful motion system.

– Assist gas: The standard air assist gas system on a typical fiber laser can adequately supply assist gas for cutting tubes up to around 8 inches. Cutting larger tubes would require a higher flow rate of assist gas which would overload the capabilities of a standard assist gas system. An upgraded high-flow system would be necessary to cut tubes larger than around 8 inches.

So in general, a typical fiber laser cutting machine should be capable of cutting round tubes up to around 8 inches (200 mm) in diameter. Cutting significantly larger tubes would require a more powerful laser, longer focal length lenses, faster rotation speeds, and a more powerful assist gas system than is standard on most fiber laser cutters.

Metal fiber lasers find their usage in decoration industries where intricate designs need to be made with many customizations. It is also used in the automobile industry, where high precision is required in making automobile exhausts, car doors, brakes, etc. In addition to these, it also finds application in the advertising industry, kitchenware industry, lighting industry, fitness equipment industry.

A fiber laser cutting machine can cut tubes of different thicknesses by adjusting the laser power and focus. Some key points:

– Laser power: For thicker tubes, higher laser power is required to cut through the greater amount of material. The laser cutter can increase power output to higher levels for cutting thicker tubes. This allows the same cutting speeds and quality to be achieved for a range of tube thicknesses.
– Focus lens: The focus lens focuses the laser beam to a spot size suitable for the tube thickness. For thicker tubes, a shorter focal length lens focuses the beam to a larger spot size, so it can cut through the greater amount of material. The lens can be changed or the focus can be adjusted electronically to accommodate different tube thicknesses.
– Cutting speed: For thicker, heavier tubes, the cutting speed may need to be reduced, even with higher laser power. The motion system may not be able to move thicker tubes or the cutting head as fast while still achieving good cut quality. The cutting parameters can be adjusted to find the optimal cutting speed for different tube thicknesses.
– Multiple passes: If very high power and thick tubes are being cut, multiple cutting passes may be required. The laser makes an initial pass to cut partway through the tube, and then additional passes are used to cut deeper until the tube is severed. Multiple passes allow for cutting of thick tubes that could not be cut in a single pass, even at low speeds and with high power.

A fiber laser cutting machine can adjust the focus lens for different tube thicknesses in the following ways:

– Interchangeable lenses: The machine may have multiple focus lenses of different focal lengths available. To switch between cutting thin and thick tubes, the appropriate lens can be manually installed for the tube thickness. Shorter focal length lenses are used for thicker tubes to achieve a larger beam spot size.
– Adjustable focus lens: Some fiber laser cutters have a focus lens that can be adjusted electronically to change the focal length. For thicker tubes, the lens is adjusted to increase the focal length and produce a larger beam spot. This eliminates the need to change between physical lenses. The electronic focus adjustment allows for easy switching between cutting thick and thin tubes.
– Autofocus: Higher-end fiber laser cutters may have an autofocus system that automatically adjusts the lens for different material thicknesses. The autofocus measures the laser focal point distance to the material surface and adjusts the lens as needed to achieve the optimal focus for cutting quality and speed. An autofocus system offers convenience by automatically handling focus changes for different tube and sheet thicknesses.

A fiber laser cutting machine’s autofocus system works by measuring the distance to the material surface and adjusting the focus lens to the optimal focal position for cutting. The basic steps are:

1. The autofocus sensor measures the distance to the material surface. This is often done using a laser or LED beam and sensor to detect the reflection from the material surface.

2. The distance measurement is used to calculate the optimal focal length needed for cutting the material. The autofocus system determines how the lens needs to be adjusted to focus the laser at the proper cutting depth within the material.

3. The focus lens is automatically adjusted to the calculated focal length. This is done using a motor to move the lens, or in the case of an adjustable focus lens, by electronically changing the lens focal length.

4. Optionally, the focus position may be checked and refined. Some autofocus systems measure the focal point again after adjusting the lens and make further adjustments to achieve the best focus for cutting.

5. Cutting begins with the laser focus in the optimal position. The autofocus system ensures the beam is focused for efficient, high-quality cutting of the material.

The autofocus system handles keeping the laser focus positioned properly for cutting without requiring manual adjustments. By automatically measuring focus position and adjusting the lens, it can accommodate cutting different thicknesses of sheets and tubes and ensures consistent cutting quality. Autofocus makes fiber laser cutting more convenient and effective, especially when cutting a variety of materials.

A fiber laser cutting machine’s autofocus system can match or exceed the accuracy of a manual focus system. Some key points:

– Autofocus systems use precision sensors and motors to automatically adjust the focus lens to the optimal position. When properly calibrated, an autofocus system can focus the laser as accurately as manually adjusting the lens, or perhaps even more accurately due to the repeatability of the automatic system.

– However, the accuracy of the autofocus depends on the quality and precision of the components. Less expensive autofocus systems may not achieve the same level of accuracy as a high-precision manual focus or more advanced autofocus systems. As with all machine components, you get what you pay for in terms of accuracy.

– For complex shaped parts or uneven/distorted materials, an autofocus system may have more difficulty measuring an accurate focus position than a skilled human operator manually focusing the laser. In tricky focusing situations, a manual focus system could potentially achieve higher accuracy than an autofocus system.

– Overall, for most flat sheet and tube cutting applications, a well-designed autofocus system should be capable of achieving accuracy as high as or higher than manual focusing. However, for cutting unconventional materials or shapes, a manual focus system may have an advantage in maximizing cutting accuracy, especially if operated by an experienced user. In the end, the accuracy of either system depends on the specific hardware and how it’s used.

To ensure your fiber laser cutting machine’s autofocus system is properly calibrated for maximum accuracy, you should:

– Calibrate the autofocus for the materials and thicknesses you cut. The autofocus is calibrated using samples of the materials you intend to cut. Measure and enter the actual thickness of the samples to calibrate the system’s focus position calculations. This ensures the autofocus is accurate for your specific cutting applications.

– Check and refine the focus after autofocusing. Cut test pieces and check that the autofocus is focused at the optimal position to maximize cut quality and speed. Minor manual tweaks can improve autofocus accuracy after the initial calibration.

– Maintain and clean the autofocus system. Keep the autofocus lenses and sensors clean of debris to prevent interference with focus measurements. Lubricate and wipe down any autofocus mechanism motors or slides as recommended to keep the system operating precisely. Regular maintenance helps the autofocus system retain its accuracy over time.

By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, calibrating the autofocus for your specific materials, double-checking the focus, and maintaining the system, you can ensure your fiber laser’s autofocus is properly calibrated and achieves the highest accuracy for your cutting applications. With periodic recalibration and maintenance, the autofocus system can retain high precision long-term.

The usual life span of the metal fiber laser is 8 years, with usage approximately 8 hours per day in the best usage scenarios.

There is little to no requirement of repair and maintenance of the metal fiber laser as there are no vulnerable parts or consumable parts which need to be replaced cyclically.

But we recommend you:

· Clean any shavings and other debris from the laser and the surrounding areas every day to prevent safety hazards.

· Check components for damage and replace them immediately if compromised.

· Tighten any parts that have come loose due to long usage.

The metal fiber lasers manufactured by OmniCNC have:

· IPG branded laser with up to 3000 watts of power output

· Choices of cutting optics from 50 mm to 200 mm, gas pressure regulator.

· An integrated control pendant.

. A laser cutting head with non-contact height following, supported by precision drives for fast cutting and high throughput imported from Germany.

· Optional attachments include laser safety shroud, table shuttle system, and tube cutting attachments.

Be sure to wear the proper protective gear when using the metal fiber laser. Stand away from the laser and don’t make any mid-session adjustments to material loading while the laser is active.

Other safety precautions include frequent checking of steel belts and tracks, the tension in steel belts, regular cleaning, and height adjustment of cutting nozzle. The person operating the machine should wear eye protection at all times.

For metal plate cutting,the software support format is DXF file.

Tube cutting need IGS or ZZX format. Many CAD software support this file format.

Plate cutting software: Cypone,Cypcut,Hypcut from Bochu(FSCUT1000,FSCUT2000,FSCUT8000)
Tube cutting software: Tubepro from Bochu(FSCUT3000S)

Below is what Cypcut look like:

The metal fiber laser machines manufactured by OmniCNC have a working area of 1500x3000mm.

At the same time, the whole machine size is 3850x2450x1800mm.

OmniCNC can deliver orders to anywhere in the world, including Europe, the Pacific, East Asia, Australia, Germany, the USA, Canada, to name a few. However, the lead time may vary depending upon the port of delivery.