Comparing Fibre and CO2 Laser Cutting for Your Roofing Materials
There are two things you must think about when choosing a fabrication method for your roofing materials. First, the fabrication process should not take too much time or delay the completion of other project deliverables. Secondly, the process should enhance the aesthetic and functional appeal of the roofing panels with minimal waste.
How do you achieve both objectives? You want speed and quality, and that's where laser cutting comes in. It is a modern technique that allows fast and efficient fabrication of roofing panels, making it a good fit for fast-paced construction. Is fibre laser cutting or CO2 laser cutting the most appropriate one for your project?
Fibre Laser Cutting
Essentially, the term fibre laser cutting refers to a method of delivering an amplified source of light to a laser machine's cutting head. The light is intense and concentrated enough to cut through metal pieces, generating some heat in the process. Typical fibre laser cutting procedures start with the light coming from a resonator installed on the laser machine. A CNC controls the laser head receiving the light and directs it through a fibre optic cable, releasing the laser.
The material you are machining vaporises rapidly in the intense heat as the cut happens.
The Benefits of Fibre Laser Cutting
Fibre laser cutting comes with several benefits. Its primary advantage is the efficiency of cutting flat sheet metals ranging from steel to aluminium among others. The fibre-to-fibre compact design requires little maintenance and low operational costs in the long run.
CO2 Laser Cutting
Unlike fibre laser cutting, the term CO2 points to the technique used to generate the laser beam during fabrication. Turbos and blowers are used to elevate the speed of the gases and split the light particle ions. During the process, a beam path refocuses and reflects the light beam to the specific point that you want to cut. Special "laz gasses" protect the beam path to prevent dust and other impurities from reaching the beam.
The Benefits of CO2 Laser Cutting
CO2 laser cutting is versatile and allows you to fabricate a range of metal and non-metal materials. It's the best choice for those who might want to use vinyl or other non-metal pieces for roofing. On the downside, CO2 is laser cutting is costly because of you need bellows, laz gasses and bellows to keep the light path pure. All these elements increase the power consumption.
Look for a professional who offers metal laser cutting to learn more.