+31 40 8080 193For companies in the metalworking and manufacturing industries, choosing the right cutting technology is crucial. Two popular options are fiber laser cutting and plasma cutting. Both technologies are used for cutting metal sheets, but they differ greatly in operation, precision, speed and cost.
In this article we compare fiber laser with plasma cutting, so you can better determine which technology best suits your needs and applications.
Table of contents
How Does Laser Cutting with Fiber Lasers Work?
Fiber lasers use a concentrated laser beam generated by a fiber optic cable. This beam is extremely powerful and is precisely focused on the material to be cut. This creates a very small heat zone, resulting in sharp and precise cutting edges.
Advantages of Fiber Laser Laser Cutting
- Extremely high precision: Fiber lasers can cut complex designs with tight tolerances, ideal for applications where precision is essential, such as aerospace or mechanical engineering.
- Suitable for thin metals: Fiber lasers are particularly efficient at cutting thin sheets of materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum and brass.
- Speed:For thin metals, fiber laser is significantly faster than plasma, resulting in higher productivity.
- Energy efficient: Fiber lasers use less energy than plasma, which reduces operating costs.
Applications of Fiber Laser Cutting Machines
Fiber lasers are often used in industries where precision and speed are important, such as:
- Metalworking: For decorative panels, parts and housings.
- Construction: For cutting thin metal sheets for buildings or machines.
- Automotive industry: For parts such as chassis and frames.
How Does Plasma Cutting Work?
Plasma cutting uses an electrically charged gas, also called plasma, to cut metals. The gas is passed through a small opening and heated to extremely high temperatures. This creates a plasma jet that melts and removes the metal. More about plasma cutters can be found at wiki.
Advantages of Plasma Cutting:
- Suitable for thicker metals: Plasma cutting can easily cut thicker metals, such as steel plates of more than 10 mm. With the advent of higher power fiber cutters, this advantage has more or less disappeared.
- Lower initial costs: The purchase price of a plasma cutting machine is often lower than that of a fiber laser, making it attractive for companies with a limited budget.
- Versatility: Plasma cutting can be used for various types of metals, including materials that are difficult to cut, such as heavy alloy steel.
Applications of Plasma Cutting:
Plasma is widely used in industries where thicker metals are processed, such as:
- Construction: For heavy steel constructions.
- Ship-building: For cutting thick steel plates for ships.
- Agricultural machinery: For parts manufactured from heavy steel.
Comparison Between Fiber Laser and Plasma Cutting
Here's a rundown of the key differences:
| Aspect | Fiber Laser Cutting | Plasma Cutting |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | Very high precision, suitable for complex designs. | Less accurate, especially with thin metals. |
| Cutting speed | Faster for thin metals (< 10 mm). | Faster for thicker metals (> 10 mm). |
| Material thickness | Ideal for thin to medium metal sheets. | Suitable for thick metal plates. |
| Cost | Higher acquisition costs, lower operating costs. | Lower purchase costs, higher operating costs (more gas and energy consumption). |
| Cutting quality | Clean and smooth edges, often no post-processing required. | Coarser cutting edges, post-processing sometimes necessary. |
| Energy consumption | Energy efficient. | Higher energy consumption. |
| Maintenance | Less maintenance required (fiber laser). | Regular maintenance of parts required. |
When to Choose a Fiber Laser Metal Cutter?
Laser cutting with fiber lasers is the best choice if your company:
- Processes many thin to medium metal plates.
- High precision required, for example for elegant designs or precise technical parts.
- Wants to save costs on energy consumption and maintenance in the long term.
- Want to achieve faster production times for thin materials.
Example: A metalworking company that produces thin stainless steel panels for the construction industry benefits greatly from the precision and speed of a fiber laser.
When Do You Choose Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting is a good choice if your business:
- Many thick metals (>10 mm) processed.
- Looking for a cost-effective solution with a lower initial investment.
- No ultra-high precision required, for example for industrial applications such as steel constructions.
Example: A shipbuilding company that cuts 20mm thick steel plates would be better off choosing plasma because of its power and speed for heavy materials.
Conclusion: Which Technology Suits Your Business?
Choosing between fiber laser and plasma cutting depends very much on your specific needs:
- If you work with thin metals and precision is important, a fiber laser will offer better performance.
- If you need to cut thick metals and are looking for a lower investment, plasma is a cost-effective choice.
At MetaQuip we are happy to help you make the right choice. Our experts can advise you on which cutting technology best suits your application and production process.
Want to learn more about fiber lasers or request a demonstration? Contact us today! Or take a look at our fiber laser portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between a plasma cutter and a fiber laser?
The biggest difference is in the cutting technology:
• Plasma cutters use an electrically charged gas (plasma) to melt and cut metal.
• Fiber lasers use a concentrated laser beam that vaporizes or melts the metal.
Fiber lasers offer much higher precision and are more energy efficient, while plasma cutters are better for thick metals.
Can a fiber laser cut the same metals as a plasma cutter?
Yes, but with a few differences:
• Fiber lasers are ideally suited for thin to medium sheets of materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper.
• Plasma cutters can handle thicker metals (>10 mm) better, but the cutting quality is less precise.
For very thin materials (such as 1-5 mm), a fiber laser performs better because of the clean and precise cuts. Due to the rapid developments of fiber laser metal cutters and the power of the laser source, there are now also extremely high power fiber lasers available that effortlessly cut through the thickest materials!
Is a fiber laser faster than a plasma cutter?
Yes, fiber lasers are faster, but especially when cutting thin metal sheets (<10 mm). For thicker sheets (>10 mm) plasma can sometimes be faster, depending on the power of the machine.
However, with a fiber laser you can cut without post-processing, which saves time in the production process.
Are the operating costs of a fiber laser lower than those of a plasma cutter?
Yes, fiber lasers are generally cheaper to use because:
• Lower energy consumption: Fiber lasers are more efficient than plasma cutters.
• Less maintenance: Fiber lasers have fewer moving parts and wear.
• No consumption of large amounts of gas: Plasma cutters often require more assist gases, which increases costs.
How does the cutting quality differ between plasma and fiber laser?
Fiber lasers provide a clean and smooth cutting edge which often does not require post-processing.
• Plasma is created coarser edges, especially with thin metals, which may require post-processing.
• Fiber lasers are ideal for applications where aesthetics and precision are important, such as decorative panels or technical parts.
Can a fiber laser cut thicker metals like a plasma cutter?
Fiber lasers can cut metals up to about 20mm thick, depending on the power of the laser.
• Plasma cutters However, they are better suited for thicker steel, such as plates of 20-50 mm or more.
• For companies that primarily work with thick steel, plasma remains a better choice.
Are fiber lasers more difficult to operate than plasma cutters?
No, fiber lasers are often easier to operate. Many modern fiber laser machines have:
• Automatic settings for cutting parameters.
• User-friendly software for designing and executing cuts.
• Reduced chance of failures, meaning users spend less time troubleshooting.
Plasma cutters sometimes require more experience to work accurately, especially with thin materials.
Is it worth the investment to switch from plasma to fiber laser?
That depends on your specific needs:
• Switching to fiber laser is worth it if you:
• Primarily cuts thin to medium metals.
• Finds accuracy, speed and aesthetic finish important.
• Want to reduce operational costs.
• Plasma is better if you mainly work with thick metals and cutting quality is less important.
Although the purchase price of a fiber laser is higher, the Return on Investment (ROI) attractive in the long term due to lower operating costs and higher efficiency.
