Case Study - CO2 vs Fiber

Laser marking on stainless steel with a CO2 laser is very timely and messy process. Due to the reflective nature of the metal surface and the operational wavelength, CO2 laser systems require a laser marking material (LMM,) to permanently mark the surface. The LMM is sprayed onto the surface and has to be allowed to dry before marking. The surface also has to be cleaned after marking. All of this work makes the alternative, Fiber Lasers, very appealing.

Fiber Laser Marking on Stainless Steel

Q-Switched Fiber Lasers are ideal for marking on stainless steel and other metals, as no LMM is needed.

For this application, Laser Photonics applications engineers used the FiberTower XP Compact system with a 20 Watt Q-Switched Fiber Laser equipped with a 160mm F-theta Lens. The stainless steel sample parts were marked at a depth of approximately .001, using the process of surface etching. The mark is etched by vaporizing the surface of the material at very high speeds, providing very minimal damage to the part. This is usually done when a quick mark is needed and cycle time is an issue. A surface etch gives a high contrasting mark and is ideal for marking on coatings without penetrating through, such as chrome, nickel, etc. Several marks were made by our engineers. The first mark was made in one pass to show optimum cycle time of 12.5 seconds, which is 5 inches per second. The goal of the application was to process the best quality samples while maintaining an acceptable cycle time.

For Other Applications - Browse Laser Photonics' Applications Database!

Try Before You Buy! Did you know Laser Photonics will process your samples according to your specifications for FREE? Simply send us several samples of your product with a complete description of your marking or cutting requirements. Your processed parts, together with a detailed applications report and equipment recommendations will be returned to you at no charge.

Laser Cutting Acrylic Stand Sheet Samples

Laser Cutting Application:

The acrylic strand sheet samples were processed using the SBM 1200 cutting system equipped with a 250W CW CO2 (10.6 um) through a 2.5" lens. 3 circles were cut @ 5mm, 10mm and 20mm diameters. The circles were cut with emphasis placed on edge quality above all.

The SBM 1200M Laser Cutting and Engraving Machine comes equipped with CO2 laser combining flying optics with a precision Direct Drive motion system. CO2 laser equipped system provides highly accurate cutting, welding, engraving and marking capabilities for multiple materials.

Laser Cutting 6.25mm Thick Aluminum

Laser Cutting Application:

Having received 6.25mm thick aluminum 5052 sample materials from a customer for laser cutting, the application engineers here at Laser Photonics used a 2kW CW fiber laser (1060nm) to make the cuts per the customers’ requirements. During this process, the application engineers also attempted to cut 1/8'' copper with the same 2kW laser.

Using a 2kW CW fiber laser equipped with a focal length lens of 9 inches and operating the system at 90% power, the samples were cut 10mm/second in one pass. The laser system used Nitrogen for assist gas. The assist gas pressure was 280~300PSI. The nozzle diameter was 1.4mm and the nozzle standoff: 0.5mm.

Following the completion of the cutting applications, Laser Photonics application engineers recommended the Titan cutting machine equipped with a focusing lens of 9 inches and a CW fiber laser (1060nm), 2kW for ¼” steel and aluminum. Should the customer desire to cut 1/8” copper, the recommendations are for a laser that is 5kW and up because it was not possible to cut through the copper as it requires a more powerful laser.

Laser Cutting Plastic Sheets

Laser Cutting Application:

Plastic sheets can be used for a wide variety of industry applications. In two separate applications, our engineers processed plastic sheets cutting through them using the SBM 1200 equipped with a 250W CW CO2 (10.6um) through a 2.5” lens. The sheet was cut using the dimensions requested by the customer. The operating power was 33% ~70 watts, with a frequency of 5kHz (Modulated), and a speed of 50mm/sec. The samples were cut in just one pass.

In the second application, the previous process was duplicated with the number samples cut increased to seven to test the consistency across a number of samples. Again, the samples were processed using the SBM 1200 cutting system equipped with a 250W CW CO2 (10.6 um) through a 2.5" lens and according to the dimensions requested by the customer. The cutting speed and power used to cut the samples were chosen to optimize accuracy and edge quality.

The SBM 1200 Laser Cutting and Engraving Machine comes equipped with CO2 laser combining flying optics with a precision Direct Drive motion system. CO2 laser equipped system provides highly accurate cutting, welding, engraving and marking capabilities for multiple materials.

Laser Cutting Aluminum

Laser Cutting Application:

The aluminum dog tag shapes were cut out using a 2kW CW fiber laser (1080nm) with a focal length lens of 9 inches. The samples were processed using Nitrogen assist gas, an assist gas pressure of 280~300PSI, a nozzle diameter of 1.4mm and nozzle standoff of 0.5mm. In one pass, at 50% power, each dog tag was cut in 22mm/sec.

The application engineers recommend the Titan Series cutting machine for this process with a CW fiber laser (1060nm), 2kW power and a 9 inch focal length lens. The newest edition to Laser Photonics’ product line is the Titan Series. This machine is Laser Photonics’ first multipurpose fiber laser cutting machine with a single pallet shuttle table. It is equipped with a high-powered, energy efficient fiber laser and an advanced direct drive motion control platform. Comparable to other machines, the Titan has a lighter weight design and the fastest cutting speed on the market for comparable systems. This system offers ultra low power consumption allowing for the lowest operating costs among all laser types. The Titan’s fully software-controlled geometry alignment eliminates the need for special installation requirements. The Titan requires no optical system alignment, laser service or laser replacement parts making this system virtually maintenance free.

Laser Cutting Sheet Alumin with Polyethylene Backing

Laser Cutting Application:

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic commodity heavily used in consumer products, most notably the plastic shopping bag. Over 60 million tons of the material is produced worldwide every year. Shopping bags just scrape the surface of the uses of polyethylene. Manufacturers make various other everyday consumer products from polyethylene including: tables, chairs, and outdoor storage sheds. The medical industry, in particular, benefits from polyethylene when it’s applied as a backing on a sheet of aluminum and used to seal test tubes.

In this application, circles were cut from a sheet of aluminum with polyethylene backing which is used to fuse a series of tubes to the sheet. The circles were cut so that the tubes could be easily removed from the sheet without causing any damage to the tubes and maintaining the seal. The aluminum sheet with polyethylene backing samples were processed using a pulsed fiber laser (1064nm, 1mJ @ 20kHz) through scanning head and160mm focusing lens. The process took 3.24 seconds per hole and cut through in just one pass using 100% power.

The application engineers recommended a FiberTower™ marking system with a pulsed fiber laser (1064nm, 1mJ @ 50kHz) and a focal length lens of 160mm.

Laser Cutting Acrylic Panel Samples

Laser Cutting Application:

Acrylic panel samples were processed by our application engineers using the SBM 1200 cutting system equipped with a 250W CW CO2 (10.6 um) through a 2.5" lens. Using 200 watts at a frequency of 5 kHz (modulated), the samples were cut with a pattern similar to the existing cuts on the sample. Samples were cut 1mm from cutting nozzle with ~10 psi compressed air. Cutting speed was 20mm per second and the application was completed in one pass.

The Laser Photonics application engineers made the following recommendations to the customer: The most appropriate system for this type of application is the SBM 1200 equipped with a 250 Watt continuous wave CO2 (106um) laser. A focal length lens of 2.5 inches should be used, depending on the focal distance requirements.

Laser Photonics LLC is an industrial leader in producing high power Fiber and CO2 Laser cutting machines. Our standard line of laser cutting machines is built in different sizes, speeds and strengths to meet different industry applications.

Test Drive a Laser System...For Free

Are you looking for a solution for your engraving, cutting or marking jobs? Laser Photonics is the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO2 laser systems specifically for those applications.

Free Custom Sample ProcessingWondering if your process can be enhanced by one of our systems, why not send us some samples of your product? Our experienced staff of applications engineers are familiar with a wide variety of applications across many different manufacturing industries. Once we receive the samples and a complete description of your marking or cutting requirements, we’ll process your parts and return them with a detailed applications report. We’ll also make some equipment recommendations – all at no charge.

CASE STUDY
Everything’s better with cheese…and the Fantom F-100 CO2 Laser
Individual serving packets, such as those used for catsup or other condiments in fast-food and other restaurants, usually feature a small cut for ease of opening. Laser Photonics was approached by a customer to use one of our systems to make the ‘easy opening cut’ on their individual serving packets of cheese. Once the customers’ samples arrived at our facility, our applications engineers went to work. Using the Fantom F-100 CO2 laser, the samples were processed with 100w CO2 laser (10.6um) through a 300mm focal lens. The mark was completed at the customers’ specification of 2.5mm long and was completed in one pass in just .04 seconds.


Common Applications for the Fantom F-100 CO2 Laser
· Alphanumeric, Logos, Serial Numbers, Part
· Numbers, Lot / Date Codes, Schematics, Complex Graphics, Pictures,
· Logos Etching (Material Vaporization)
· OCR Code Marking (Human and Machine Readable)
· Direct Parts Marking, Bar-coding, 2D Data Matrix

· 2D Symbologies Linear Barcodes
· Lot Codes, Date Codes
· Production In line Integration
· IC Chip Package Marking
· UID - Unique Identifier
· Marking “On the Fly”

Fantom F-100 CO2 Specifications
The Fantom F-100 CO2 Marking Systems are small enough to mount easily on a bench or small machine tool for process development, yet powerful enough to cut, weld, scribe, or mark the most difficult materials.

This unit offers 100W of power, and output wavelengths of 10.6 microns. It provides the greatest flexibility to both end-users and OEM systems integrators. This system can be easily re-configured for direct installation into a production line and can connect to external control device. It was designed for maintenance-free Direct Part Marking (DPM) applications and was built to operate under high shock, vibration and dust conditions. Additionally, the F-100 system is air-cooled and plug and play capable.

Applications & Materials
• Anodized Aluminum • Surface Annealing • Surface Texturing • Surface Marking
• Surface Etching • Stainless Steel • Composites • Ceramics • Graphite • Titanium
• Ablation • Rubber • Plastics • Acrylic • Wood


Laser Photonics offers CO2 laser marking systems from 10 to 300W of average power, up to 900W of peak power, at output wavelengths of 10.6 microns. The Fantom F-100 Co2 laser system provides the greatest flexibility to both end users and OEM system integrators. The packages offered are custom tailored to your specific marking needs.


Laser Photonics is the industry leaders in developing high-tech Fiber and CO2 laser marking, cutting and engraving systems for a variety of industries, such as; aerospace, automotive, medical, solar and semiconductor to name a few. We exceed in manufacturing high quality, performance driven turnkey solutions for these and many other industries.

Business Cards and Lasers

Just found another blog for a business consultanting company with an article about laser die-cut business cards and how to make your business cards stand out from the crowd using tricks like - odd sizes, gloss finishes and embossing. All good tips I think. Here's his site:

http://www.r3r.com/blog/2008/12/04/r3r-laser-die-cut-business-cards/

Reading this made me think I remembered seeing a business card made using a laser in one of our applications pictures. And sure enough, the applications engineers here at Laser Photonics made this (pictured) business card out of wood. It was cut and marked using a Laser Photonics CO2 Laser System. Something like this definitely makes a memorable impression for tradeshows and other meetings. I went to a Home Show once here in Orlando, Florida and a cabinet company had mini-cabinet doors for a business card and a "sample" of their work...that was a few years ago, and look - I'm still talking about them!

For more information on other things we've cut, maked or engraved to show the capabilities of our systems: Search Laser Photonics Applications Database Now.

Fashion and Lasers

Today I just stumbled on this blog about using lasers in fashion. I'm continually amazed at the number of industries that laser technology touches -- from the automotive, aerospace, industrial, defense, electronic and medical industries -- and now, I discover, the fashion industry as well.

To see the Spring 2009 fashion collection, made with the help of lasers - click this link:

http://blog.buffalostate.edu/fashion/merchandising/archives/2008/12/03/cut_it_out/

Apparently, lasers have been used to cutting fabrics for the fashion industry for quite some time; however, according to this blog, "laser cutting may be one of the new waves in fashion design, and we may start seeing a lot more of it."

Upon checking, Laser Photonics applications engineers had already completed several "fashion industry" applications at our facility in Lake Mary, Floirda. The three images attached show the applications we performed inwhich leather that was cut using a CO2 laser system to make shoes!

According to Wiki:

“Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser programed by a computer to cut materials.the material then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high quality surface finish.”

Laser Photonics Announces New Solution for Label

The FiberTower XP equipped with an auto label feeder option

Lake Mary, FL., Laser Photonics, the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO₂ laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications, received a contract from one of the most prominent aerospace LCD screen manufacturers. This highly sought after deal is the first for Laser Photonics and its newly developed auto label feeder option.
The Laser Photonics FiberTower XP equipped with an auto label feeder option was the chosen solution after a highly competitive and rigorous selection process. Laser Photonics’ experience with fiber and CO2 lasers, developing key solutions to meet manufacturers’ needs, and being a United States based company were major factors in the decision.

The solution features the FiberTower XP, the most advanced laser marking system in the industry. It provides the ability to operate as a standalone unit or as part of an in-line system, incorporates a 20 watt continuous wave laser, industrial PC controller, power supply, marking software, a laser safety enclosure and the auto label feeder option. The auto label feeder option can be removed and the system can be used for standard direct part marking.

Previous to the FiberTower XP with the auto label feeder option, marking UID data labels on Tesa tape involved manual labor. The labels were marked only after they were manually cut into four inch strips and then manually fed into the machine. The auto label feeder option on the FiberTower XP eliminates the need for any manual processing. To operate the FiberTower XP, a roll of labels is loaded, automatically indexed to the first marking area where the required mark is made. The labels perimeter is also cut using the laser, thus enabling an easy peel and stick application. The system repeats the indexing and marking until the job is complete.

Incorporating Tesa tape as the marking material enables for a durable, chemical and weather resistant marking application. Tesa labels can be marked elsewhere and then easily brought into the field to be applied to equipment, parts or, other items needing UID data labels, bar codes, part numbers, logos, serial codes, etc.

WATCH THE VIDEO NOW!

"We are very proud to be selected by one of the most demanding aerospace organizations in the world who requires the best implementation, integration and support services," said Todd Hockenberry, Laser Photonics’ executive vice president of sales and marketing. "This contract is evidence that Laser Photonics continues to be the vendor of choice for the laser projects that require unique expertise and high standards of service."

Laser Photonics Holds Open House and Offers Distributor Training

Distributors and Sales Agents from around the world to attend Laser Photonics Systems Training and Open House

Lake Mary, FL., December 8, 2008 - Laser Photonics, the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO2 laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications, announced today its first Distributor and Sales Agent Training and Open House event scheduled for December 8th and 9th, 2009.

“As of today, Laser Photonics is represented in over ten countries including China, Mexico, Singapore, India and Turkey, said Todd Hockenberry, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Laser Photonics. “This training is a fantastic opportunity to bring our distributors together to meet, learn and brainstorm. The end result benefits our customers throughout the world.”

The two day training encompasses a range of modules from system training to sales tactics to marketing tips and hands on learning where each distributor will experience systems such as the Titan Series, Laser Photonics fiber laser cutting machine, first hand. Additionally, distributors and sales agents will have the opportunity to tour the 318,000 square foot facility and meet key contact personnel from Laser Photonics executive, engineering, sales and marketing departments.

Laser Photonics Awarded Industry Innovation Award

Economic Development Commission recognizes significant impact on the photonics industry

Lake Mary, FL., December 8, 2008 - Laser Photonics, the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO2 laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications, recently received the William C. Schwartz industry innovation award for having significant impact in the photonics industry.

The Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission presented Laser Photonics with the William C. Schwartz industry innovation award for the Seminole County, Florida geographical area. The award honors William C. Schwartz, a community leader, business pioneer and innovator within the fields of photonics and optics.

Kristen Breunig, marketing manager for Laser Photonics, accepted the award on behalf of Laser Photonics. “I am pleased to accept this award and honored that the EDC selected Laser Photonics. We strive to be a superb example of innovation, excellence and an industry leader in laser systems, “ said Breunig.

Laser Photonics Unveils First Ever 10-Kilowatt Laser Cutting System

New Ten Kilowatt Fiber Laser System is the Highest Power Laser Cutting Machine Ever Made

Lake Mary, FL., December 8, 2008 - Laser Photonics, the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO₂ laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications, unveiled today the Titan Series 10-Kilowatt Fiber Laser Cutting System, the highest power laser cutting system available on the market. Capable of cutting thicker metals at higher rates of speed and operating at a lower cost than other systems, the Titan Series 10-Kilowatt Fiber Laser System has a higher beam quality, is maintenance free with no optical system alignment, laser service or laser replacement parts needed and requires virtually no consumables.

“Laser Photonics is pleased to be the first company to offer the public this turn-key solution using the most powerful industrial laser cutting machine ever made,” said Ryan Semmer, Laser Photonics’ Industrial Product Marketing Manager. “We expect to deliver our first system in early 2009.”

About Laser Photonics:
Developing laser marking, laser cutting and laser engraving systems for precision material processing industries, Laser Photonics is leading the way with innovative fiber laser and CO2 laser systems. Our laser machines are used by manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, defense, electronic and medical industries around the world. For additional information on Laser Photonics Fiber and CO2 Laser Systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications, please contact a representative at 1-407-829-2613, or visit http://www.laserphotonics.com/.

Lost Dog Finds Way Home Using Fiber Laser!

According to The Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States. Of the dogs lost in the United States every year, only an estimated 10 percent ever find their homes again. One of the easiest ways to keep your pet safe is to ensure your pet wears identification tags at all times. Tags should include a local contact number, as well as a number for a friend or out-of-town relative. Proper identification tags are your pet's ticket home if he becomes lost.

Laser Photonics, a leader in fiber laser technology, has partnered with dog tag distributors in a nationwide effort to educate and empower pet owners everywhere to help keep your pets safe! Finding a faster, easier, less expensive way to produce dog tags for its customers, distributors are purchasing Laser Photonics’ cutting-edge Fiber Tower XP systems which can be integrated into any production line. These systems are safe, compact, and service-free, designed to meet individual marking needs with the ability to mark a wide variety of materials using many different techniques.

Using the Fiber Tower XP in this process, steel and aluminum dog tags were etched with a 20 Watt Q-switched Faber Laser with a 160mm lens. The samples were marked using a true type font and a laser engraving font. The power was set at 98%, a frequency of 20kHz, and a speed of 10 inches per second. Total time to complete was 51.8 seconds. Offering maintenance free operation, user friendly design and software, the Fiber Tower XP is ideal for these applications.

Considering the cost reductions of no consumables and low power consumption, the FiberTower™ Series Laser Systems is now the most cost effective, eco-friendly and flexible apparatus of Direct Parts Marking, UID, and Deep Engraving in the Aerospace, Automotive, and Medical, Defense, Semiconductor and other markets. Our Fiber Laser Systems are more easily integrated into industrial processes in comparison with conventional lasers.

FiberTower™ Series Laser equipment utilizes highest quality components from world renowned manufacturers and the best available software with modern exchange protocol, remote capabilities and dot.net support.

Fiber Tower XP Benefits:
· Small footprint
· Faster throughput
· Zero laser maintenance
· No cleaning printers or ink stamps
· No damage caused to material by stamps or dot peen
· Software allows for reading, handling and transferring data easily

Laser Photonics is the industry leaders in developing high-tech Fiber and CO2 laser marking, cutting and engraving systems for a variety of industries, such as; aerospace, automotive, medical, solar and semiconductor to name a few. We exceed in manufacturing high quality, performance driven turnkey solutions for these and many other industries. For additional information visit http://www.laserphotonics.com/ or call us direct at 407-829-2613

74,924 REasons to Upgrade your CO2 Laser to a Fiber Laser

When lasers were invented in 1960, they were called "a solution looking for a problem". Since then, they have become ubiquitous, finding utility in thousands of highly varied applications in every section of modern society, including consumer electronics, information technology, science, medicine, industry, law enforcement, entertainment, and the military.

Now with so many diverse industries using so many various applications, lasers have firmly rooted themselves as a necessary solution for new problems encountered. Today, end users have perhaps more choices than Einstein ever dreamed possible -- from laser types, to methods of processing, depths of cuts, marks and engravings, focal lens lengths, power settings, frequency, speed, number of passes and more.

Selecting the Right Laser System
Due to all the options available to end users, selecting the right laser for an application can be an arduous process and deciding to upgrade from a CO2 to a fiber laser system may bring even further challenges. Laser Photonics can help answer those tough questions and has provided our customers with a new tool to compare systems. Using the Cost Comparison Calculator found on the home page of http://www.laserphotonics.com/, customers can key in their location, the power of their CO2 laser and their typical daily use. The calculator will then reveal pertinent information such as: the tremendous cost savings, increased reliability, and enhanced beam quality and spot size of Laser Photonics Fiber Laser Systems. Users will quickly see what was once the top of the line CO2 laser system, and the best solution several years ago, now greatly pales in comparison to a new Laser Photonics Fiber Laser System.

SAMPLE COMPARISON
Let’s say your plant is in Florida and you currently are running a 1000w CO2 laser for 8 hours a day. Your electric power consumption with the CO2 laser is very high. Based on Florida’s average power cost of .1045 per kWh, that 8 hour daily shift, working 250 days per year, will cost you $7,942 in electric costs per year.

Then, consider your yearly maintenance of $45,000 and estimated assist gas consumables (6 l/h Nitrogen, 1 l/h Carbon Dioxide, 13 l/h Helium) at a cost of $11.67/h per year. That will add another $23,340 per year in costs.

Total cost to run your CO2 laser each year? A staggering $76,282.

Now, let’s take that same scenario, same run times and cost per hour figures and look at using a new Laser Photonics Fiber Laser System. The 1000W CO2 Laser System you’re currently using can be replaced with a 500W Fiber Laser System which has equal cutting quality and speed. With your new fiber laser, 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 high-quality cutting at higher efficiencies than comparable laser cutting systems.

Your new fiber laser will have very low power consumption. Using the same sample data to compare -- your plant is based in Florida, running a 1000w Co2 laser, 8 hours a day for 250 days a year, the power costs will only be $1,359 per year. Remember, this is based on Florida’s average power cost of .0145 per kWh -- your states average power cost may be higher or lower.
Maintenance costs are easy to calculate for your new Laser Photonics Fiber Laser System -- $0. The fiber laser has no maintenance costs, no consumables and no cleaning of or alignment of mirrors for beam path is needed.

In the end, the yearly cost to run your new Laser Photonics Fiber Laser System? Just $1,359. That’s a savings of $74,924.

How can Laser Photonics help you?

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