Over the years, many laser engraver enthusiasts have compared CO2 and fiber laser systems. A common argument for this comparison is that fiber lasers are better than CO2 lasers due to their popularity. However, each marking technology has unique specifications that determine whether they are best suited for certain applications. HTPOW will compare these two laser markers and how to choose the right one.

What Is A Fiber Laser Marking Machine?

Fiber laser marking machines such as the Ortur Laser Master 3, LaserPecker 2 and xTool D1 Pro are among the most popular marking machines in the industry due to their wide applicability to different materials. Their popularity explains more why many marking experts consider them the best. However, it shouldn't.

Fiber laser marking machines use laser diodes as pump sources. When current flows, photons enter the fiber optic cable. Optical cables (laser media) use rare earth elements such as ytterbium as doping materials to cause excitation and release of photons or light.

Advantages of Fiber Lasers

Here are a Few Reasons Why You Should Consider a Fiber Laser Marking Machine:

• They do not require frequent maintenance, which reduces maintenance costs.
• They have faster marking speed
• They have broad material compatibility
• They don't consume much power.

Disadvantages of Fiber Lasers

Although Fiber Lasers Have Many Advantages, They Also Have Some Disadvantages:

• They are not suitable for marking thick non-metallic materials
• Fiber lasers are not optimized for organic materials.

Of course, many factories such as Ortur are also working hard to improve these shortcomings.

What is CO2 Laser Marking Machine

CO2 laser marking machines produce invisible laser light in the far infrared spectral range, suitable for marking organic materials. CO2 laser marking machines are the most powerful industrial marking machines. They have a laser medium containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium.

Advantages of CO2 Lasers

Here are a few reasons why you should consider a CO2 laser marking machine:
CO2 lasers are suitable for organic materials.
They are more generic.
Lower initial investment cost
They are more suitable for thicker non-metallic materials.

Disadvantages of CO2 Lasers

Although fiber lasers have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages:

Its Expensive to Operate

Water-cooled machines require frequent maintenance and high maintenance costs.
CO2 laser is not suitable for marking metal materials.

CO2 laser marking machine and fiber laser marking machine
Now that we've seen what these two laser machines are about, let's compare them so you know which one to choose.

Laser Medium

On the one hand, CO2 lasers use a laser medium containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium to generate the laser beam. Fiber lasers, on the other hand, use doped fibers as the lasing medium to generate a laser beam. The intensity of the laser beam depends on the coating process, the energy source and the length of the fiber.

Power Consumption Level

CO2 lasers can perform about 10-15% of the energy conversion from light to electricity. Therefore, the running cost of the marking machine will rise. Additionally, CO2 lasers require a separate cooling unit to cool the cuvette, increasing power consumption.

Fiber lasers can achieve approximately 35-50% power efficiency. Therefore, a 100W fiber laser machine only needs 200-250W of power. This means that fiber lasers are more efficient than CO2 lasers.

Wavelength

Their wavelengths are all in the infrared spectrum invisible to the human eye.

The wavelength of a CO2 laser is approximately 10,600 nm. Therefore, they are not recommended for marking highly reflective metallic materials. On the other hand, fiber lasers have shorter wavelengths compared to CO2 lasers, which allows them to mark different types of metallic materials.

Marking Speed

CO2 lasers are generally slower due to the unfocused and longer wavelength of the laser beam. As a result, they have higher power consumption. In contrast, fiber lasers are faster due to their shorter wavelengths. However, CO2 lasers are faster at marking thicker materials.

System Construction

Most CO2 lasers use complex mirror and lens systems to focus the laser beam. In addition, the CO2 test tube is also somewhat unknown to the outside world. On the other hand, fiber lasers use optical fibers as the main support. Unlike CO2 lasers, it delivers the laser beam more efficiently. Additionally, the fibers are well sealed to prevent exposure to the external environment.

Life

No matter how perfect a marking machine is, it will break down over time. High power CO2 laser marking machine can survive for 2 years. On the other hand, fiber laser marking machines last 3 times longer.

Cost of Investment

The investment required for CO2 and fiber lasers is very different. CO2 lasers are cheaper than fiber lasers, but require CO2 laser tubes as consumables.

Fiber lasers have no consumables, but the price of the machine is a little higher than that of CO2 lasers.

Materials they Can Handle

CO2 lasers can mark organic materials such as wood, plastics, Mylar, frosted boards and more. Fiber lasers, on the other hand, can mark many materials, most of which are metals such as nickel, gold and silver.

Get a Fiber Optic or CO2 Laser Marker

The last question you need to answer is whether you should buy a CO2 or fiber laser marker. The answer depends on your business operations. Do you need a fiber optic or CO2 laser marking machine? You can contact HTPOW, we will give you the most professional advice and service.