Abstract: The widespread application of laser processing technology has become a general trend, so many industries will need to use fiber lasers. So how to choose fiber lasers? In order to avoid problems in practical applications, the following properties must be considered before selecting laser processing equipment: low failure rate, high stability, low overall cost of use, long life, laser safety, small size, and lightweight, etc. Below, choose from fiber lasers Starting with the 7 principles of purchasing, we will introduce in detail how to choose fiber lasers.

1. How to purchase fiber lasers

1. Purpose: If it is used to cut metal, the laser power must be at least 200W, or a kilowatt laser is used, and a continuous light laser is generally used. If used for cutting non-metals, the lasers are mainly pulsed light lasers below 50W.
2. System: Generally, fiber lasers of XP and 2000 systems are more common, and there is not much difference between them.
3. Optical lenses: Depending on the wavelength of the fiber laser, a special laser cutting head may also be used.
4. Software: Generally provided by laser cutting machine equipment integrators, large companies will use self-developed software. The advantage is that the software and hardware match well and have complete functions. Small companies will use purchased general-purpose commercial software. The accuracy is poor. Updates, customization, etc. are relatively weak.
5. Important accessories: The laser is the top priority, and more than half of the cost of the entire machine is on the laser. Followed by optical isolator, beam expander, cutting head, water cooler, etc.

2. How to choose fiber laser

1. Laser beam quality
Providing important performance for processing quality, the beam quality of fiber laser has three important indicators:
① Beam parameter product BPP: an important indicator describing the quality of the laser beam. The smaller the BBP value, the smaller the beam can be focused. The higher the power density, the faster the thin plate cutting speed, and the higher the smoothness of the cutting surface. , while making it possible to cut high-reflective materials such as copper and aluminum, which can improve cutting production efficiency, quality and application scope.
② Beam roundness: Beam roundness describes the uniformity of the energy distribution of the light spot in different directions. A light spot with high roundness has even energy distribution in all directions. When doing non-linear cutting, it can ensure the consistency of the cutting surface smoothness and cutting speed in all directions. , to ensure the quality of cutting products.
③ Spot energy distribution: The spot energy distribution is highly rounded, uniform, and concentrated, or the closer it is to Gaussian distribution, the higher the center energy of the focused spot, and the better the spot symmetry. When cutting, “the sharper the blade,” the faster the sheet cutting speed, the smoother the cutting surface, and the higher the consistency of the cuts in all directions. The spot energy distribution of IPG and Raycus lasers is close to Gaussian distribution.
2. Laser output power stability
It provides important performance for processing quality, describing the stability of laser output power under different output powers within the full power range (10%–100%) and the stability of long-term use.
Output power stability in the full power range: The lower the stability value, the better the stability of the laser under different output powers, which can ensure the consistency of the cutting surface finish and cutting speed when cutting with different thicknesses. It can improve the authenticity rate of the cut products and ensure the stability of the quality of the cut products.
3. Quality control of core components
It is an important performance to reduce the failure rate of equipment. The core components determine the overall performance and quality of the laser. Outsourcing core components can make the overall performance and quality of the laser difficult to control, and the performance and quality of the laser cutting machine are uncontrollable. The life of core components affects the failure rate and service life of fiber lasers. The higher life of core components determines the low failure rate and long service life of the laser, reducing customer downtime and maintenance costs.
4. Laser module redundant hot standby design
It is an important performance to reduce the equipment failure rate. The laser module redundant hot standby design can activate the hot standby function when part of the power module of the laser fails, and replaces the failed power module with the spare power. The cutting machine can continue to be used normally, reducing the risk of customers due to partial power module failure. resulting downtime costs.
5. Laser electronic dehumidification device
It is an important performance to reduce equipment failure rate. When the temperature of the laser cooling system and the cooled device is lower than the dew point temperature of the surrounding humid air, condensation will occur, causing device corrosion and failure. The dehumidification device effectively reduces the environmental humidity inside the laser, avoids condensation due to excessive humidity, reduces damage to circuit boards and power modules caused by condensation, reduces laser failure rates, and reduces customer laser maintenance costs and downtime costs.
6. Laser cabinet protection level
The important performance of reducing equipment failure rate. The protection level of laser cabinet describes the level of waterproof and dustproof of the cabinet. Cabinets with high IP levels can effectively prevent external dust and water from entering the cabinet. Keep the inside of the laser cabinet clean and dry to prevent dust and water from entering the cabinet. Causes laser failure and reduces customers’ fiber laser maintenance costs and downtime costs.
7. Electro-optical conversion efficiency (WPE)
Important performance in reducing operating costs, describing the ratio of electrical input power converted into optical power, high electro-optical conversion efficiency, low power consumption at a certain optical power, low laser heat generation, reducing the customer’s laser power consumption costs and heat dissipation requirements The electricity cost of the water cooler.

If you are not satisfied with the use of the equipment, you can also find a professional company to change and upgrade the software and hardware to improve the performance of the laser equipment.