CO2 Cutting Machine & Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

We are a professional laser cutting machine manufacturer with over 10 years of industry experience. Today, we would like to introduce you the difference between CO2 and laser cutting machine:

In the field of industrial cutting, CO2 cutting machine and laser cutting machine are two common processing equipment. Although both can be used for material cutting, there are essential differences in the working principle, equipment structure and scope of application. Understanding these differences helps to choose the right processing method in actual production.

1, The basic working principle of the difference

CO2 cutting machine is essentially a special form of plasma cutting. It uses high-voltage current to ionize the carbon dioxide gas to form a high-temperature plasma arc, which achieves material cutting by hot melting. The plasma arc temperature can reach 15,000-30,000°C, which can quickly melt the metal. The cutting process requires a continuous supply of CO2 gas, both as a plasma medium and for blowing off the molten metal.

A laser cutting machine uses a completely different physical principle. By focusing a high-energy laser beam, the material is instantly heated locally to a vaporizing temperature. a CO2 laser cutter uses a gas laser with a wavelength of 10.6 μm, while a fiber laser cutter uses a solid-state laser with a wavelength of 1.06 μm. Laser cutting is a non-contact process that relies on light energy to act directly on the material without the formation of a plasma arc.

2, Difference in equipment structure

CO2 cutting machine is mainly composed of power supply system, gas control system and torch. The power supply provides the high voltage current needed to ionize the gas, and the power is usually between 50-400A. The gas system requires precise control of the pressure and flow of the CO2 gas. The torch contains the electrodes and nozzles and is the key component in the direct generation of the plasma arc. The structure of the equipment is relatively simple, but requires a high degree of power supply stability.

The structure of laser cutting machine is more complicated, CO2 laser cutting machine contains laser generator, beam delivery system and cutting head three major parts. The laser tube needs water cooling system to maintain a stable working temperature, and the mirror group constitutes a complex optical system. Fiber laser cutting machine adopts all-fiber structure, but need precision focusing system and motion control platform. Both laser machines are equipped with numerical control systems to realize precise trajectory control.

3, Comparison of cutting characteristics

In terms of cutting quality, laser cutting has obvious advantages. The kerf width of laser cutting is usually 0.1-0.3mm, 3-5 times narrower than CO2 plasma cutting. The heat-affected zone is smaller, the cutting surface is flatter, and basically no secondary processing is required. The dimensional accuracy of laser cutting can reach ±0.05mm, much higher than the plasma cutting of ±0.5mm. for precision parts processing, laser cutting is a better choice.

Cutting thickness is an area where CO2 cutters excel. While standard laser cutters typically handle carbon steel thicknesses of up to 20mm, CO2 plasma cutting can easily handle thick plates over 50mm. When cutting very thick material (over 100mm), plasma cutting is almost the only cost-effective option. However, this gap is narrowing as fiber laser power increases.

4, The comparison of operating costs

Equipment investment, CO2 cutting machine initial cost is lower. Small and medium power plasma cutting system price is only 1/3-1/5 of the laser equipment. but the price of high-precision plasma cutting machine is close to the entry-level laser equipment. Laser cutting machine optics and maintenance costs are higher, but the long-term use of energy consumption is lower.

The performance of energy consumption varies significantly, CO2 plasma cutting, only to maintain the plasma arc requires tens of kilowatts of power, plus gas consumption, the overall energy consumption is higher. Laser cutting machine electro-optical conversion efficiency is higher, especially fiber laser, energy consumption can be reduced by more than 50%. For mass production, the operating cost advantages of laser cutting will gradually emerge.

5, Material applicability analysis

CO2 cutting machine is mainly applicable to conductive materials. It can cut a variety of metals, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and so on. The surface state of the material does not require much, and rusted or coated panels can also be cut directly. However, it cannot deal with non-metallic materials and is less effective in cutting highly reflective materials.

The laser cutting machine has a wider material adaptability. In addition to a variety of metals, can also process acrylic, wood, leather and other non-metallic materials. CO2 laser cutting effect on non-metal is particularly good, fiber laser is better at metal processing. However, the surface reflectivity of the material is sensitive to the cutting of mirror materials require special processing.

6, Typical application scene

CO2 cutting machine is suitable for heavy industry. Shipbuilding, steel structure, pressure vessel and other industries often need to cut thick metal plates, which is where plasma cutting excels. Portable CO2 cutting machines are more convenient to use at maintenance sites or construction sites. Rough machining that does not require high cutting accuracy is also its applicable scenario.

Laser cutting machines are widely used in precision manufacturing. Electronic appliances, automobile parts, medical equipment and other industries require high-precision cutting. Advertising signs, craft gifts and other non-metal processing is the traditional field of laser cutting. As the cost of equipment decreases, laser cutting is penetrating into more common manufacturing areas.

7, Technology development trend

Laser cutting technology develops to high power and intelligence. The emergence of 10,000-watt-class fiber lasers has extended the laser cutting capability to the field of thick plates. The addition of features such as automatic focusing and intelligent nesting further improves processing efficiency and quality. These advances are eating into the market space of traditional plasma cutting.

CO2 cutting technology also continues to improve. The development of fine plasma technology has brought the cutting quality close to the laser level. The application of digital control systems has improved ease of operation. New electrode and nozzle materials extend service life. In some special application scenarios, plasma cutting still maintains an irreplaceable position.

When choosing cutting equipment, you need to consider the type of material, thickness range, quality requirements and production batch and other factors. For thick plate rough machining, CO2 cutting machine is economical and practical; for thin plate precision machining, laser cutting has obvious advantages. With technological advances, the performance of the two boundaries are changing, but the difference in physical principle determines that they will coexist in industrial production for a long time.

If you are interested in cutting machine, please contact us.