Fiber vs. CO2 Comparison

  CO2 Laser (3000W)

Fiber Laser (3000W)

Laser System Laser based on a gas mixture in which light is amplified by
carbon dioxide molecules.
Diode Pumped Laser with a doped fiber as
gain medium where most of the laser module
is made of fiber
Reflectivity CO2 lasers are less effective for cutting highly reflective
materials, since much of the beam is reflected back
towards the source and not absorbed by the substrate. As
a result, higher power levels are required for cutting as
compared to fiber lasers.
Much less power is required for cutting
reflective materials like aluminum or copper
since more of the laser energy is absorbed by
the substrate. This allows for intricate highquality
cutting at higher efficiencies than
comparable laser cutting systems.
Reliability (MTBF) Only around 20,000 hours 50,000 to 100,000 hours

Power Consumption

Electrical Power Requirements
(Average United States)'s Average
Power Cost:

$0.1002 per kWh

Based on 2 10-hour shifts and 250
working days per year.

High Power Consumption

Laser Consumption: 54 kW
Chiller Consumption: 32 kW (Estimate)
Calculation: 20h/day * (54kW+32kW) * $0.1002/kWh *
250days

 

$43,086 per year

Very Low Power Consumption

Laser Consumption: 14 kW
Chiller Consumption: 11kW (Estimate)
Calculation: 20h/day * (14kW+11kW) *
$0.1002/kWh * 250days

 

$12,525 per year

Maintenance

Maintenance & Service Costs:
$35,000 per year

Estimated Purge Gas Consumables:
Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Helium
Estimated Gas Cost: $7.66/h

Calculation: $7.66/h * 20h/day * 250days
$38,300 per year

• Minimum Maintenance
• Low Consumables
• No cleaning of or alignment of mirrors for
beam path

Power Efficiency

Electrical Power Efficiency

Only as high as 6-7% Greater than 30%
Beam Quality & Spot Size --- TEM00 (<1.15) beam profile results in
significantly higher power density directed to
the material surface. Requires less power for
the same result in comparison with CO2
systems.
Optical Path/Beam Path Mirrors and optical path
Loss of beam quality and significant power drop
Flexible Cable (up to 50m)
Cooling 50,000 BTU 10,000 BTU

Total Cost of Ownership

First Year (Estimation)

 

$116,386 per year

 

$12,525 per year