How industrial laser sources work (CO₂ and fiber explained simply)

When it comes to laser machinery, the source is the starting point. It's the component that generates the beam (laser ray), thus determining how much energy actually reaches the workpiece and how it gets there. From there, many practical aspects arise: process stability, consumption, edge quality, speed, and even the amount of maintenance required over time.

In the industrial world, the two most common families are CO₂ and fiber . The difference isn't a matter of brand or fashion: it's physical. Above all, the wavelength changes, and therefore how well a material absorbs the beam. This is why a source can be perfect for certain materials and less suitable for others, even if it "has power" on paper.

CO₂ Laser Sources

The CO₂ laser is a historic technology that is still widely used in factories. It is a gas laser and typically operates at a wavelength of 10.6 μm . In simple terms, this means that the laser emits light in the infrared region of the spectrum , which is therefore invisible to the human eye. The wavelength indicates the distance between two successive "waves" of light and, in the case of lasers, primarily determines how the beam interacts with materials .

Use of CO₂ laser sources

In the case of CO₂, the 10.6 μm wavelength is absorbed very well by many organic materials and polymers, such as wood, plastic, fabrics, or paper. This means that the laser energy is easily converted into heat on the material's surface, allowing for efficient cutting or engraving.

This is why CO₂ is still a very common choice when working with non-metals . You'll often find it in production processes where materials like plastic panels, wood, technical fabrics, and packaging components are cut and engraved. For some processes, the aesthetic result is a real advantage: neat edges and clean engravings, without overcomplicating the process.

Limitations of CO₂ lasers

The limitations of CO₂ emerge when looking at efficiency and management . The electrical-optical conversion is often in the order of 10–20% : for the same laser output power, a significant portion of the absorbed energy ends up as heat and must be disposed of. This, in practice, leads to higher electricity consumption and a more demanding cooling system.

Then there's a more "mechanical" aspect: in many CO₂ systems, the beam is transported along an optical path in the air, therefore with mirrors and optics . This isn't a problem in itself, but it means having additional components to keep clean and, when necessary, realigned . If the machine operates many shifts, this extra attention easily translates into more scheduled maintenance (and a few more downtimes).

Fiber Laser Sources

While CO₂ is a historic technology, fiber is now often the most common choice when working, especially on metals . It is a solid-state source, often based on ytterbium (Yb), and operates in the near-infrared range: generally between 1030 and 1070 nm (about 1 μm). This difference in wavelength compared to the 10.6 μm of CO₂ significantly changes the interaction with the material, and in fact immediately affects the type of applications in which fiber performs best.

Uses of Fiber Laser Sources

In industrial practice, fiber is mainly used for cutting and welding steels and metal alloys , because metals absorb laser energy better around 1 μm than other wavelengths. This generally makes the process more stable and easier to repeat , especially when working on thin or medium-thickness sheet metal. Furthermore, the technology also performs well on more “uncomfortable” materials because they are reflective, such as aluminum, brass, and copper , although in these cases it is always important that the machine is properly designed and that the process parameters are set correctly.

Another tangible advantage is energy efficiency . High-power fiber lasers can achieve electrical-optical efficiency values ​​of around 50%, much higher than many other industrial laser technologies. In practice, this means that a greater portion of the electrical energy is actually converted into laser light, while a smaller portion is lost as heat. The result is often lower energy consumption and a less demanding cooling system for the same output.

From a processing standpoint, fiber also allows for very small focal points , resulting in high power density concentrated in a small area. This helps when precision and speed are required, as cutting can be faster and the process window is easier to control.

Finally, there's the part related to machine management. In fiber optic systems, the beam is transported via optical fiber ; therefore, a long air path with mirrors and periodic realignment is often unnecessary. This doesn't eliminate maintenance, but it reduces many variables and can make the machine easier to maintain stable over time.

Limitations of fiber laser machines

Limitations arise when the material isn't the "right" one. For many typical CO₂ processes, especially on certain non-metals , fiber can work, but it's not always the simplest option or the one that gives the best aesthetic result on the edge. In these cases, it's not so much a question of power: it's how the wavelength interacts with the material that matters, and how much margin it leaves you with the finish.

Why we use fiber optic sources at Freutek

Our customers work primarily in the metalworking industry . This means steel and alloy parts, repetitive processes, consistent quality, and tight production deadlines. In this context, the fiber source is a sensible choice, as it is specifically designed for metal processes such as cutting, welding, cleaning, and marking —the applications our machinery covers.

This also gives rise to a very straightforward product range: all our main laser machines are fiber-based, but their use and configuration vary. Markers are useful when the priority is part identification (codes, logos, serial numbers) or precise engraving. Models like the LMM0006 specifically address marking, engraving, and even cutting on metals and some plastics ; therefore, it's a tool that fits seamlessly into production and traceability workflows.

The same reasoning applies to cleaners and welders : they're often two phases that come before and after the same process. Cleaning oxides, residues, or contamination before welding (or finishing afterwards) isn't just an aesthetic detail; it can affect the quality of the result and its repeatability. And when working with metal, having consistent technology also helps standardize the workshop approach.

Finally, for those who want to reduce steps and setup, we also have a combined solution: the LMM0023 , a 1500 W 3-in-1 that integrates welding, cleaning and cutting with a multifunctional head, designed to switch from one operation to another without complex modifications and with liquid cooling for continuous work.

Major manufacturers of fiber laser sources (and where they are usually located)

In industrial laser machines, the source is often supplied by specialized manufacturers. Generally speaking, CW (continuous wave) sources are most often used for cutting, welding, and cleaning , while pulsed/MOPA sources are typical for marking and finer engraving. Among the manufacturers most commonly supplying fiber laser sources are the following:

• Raycus
  • A widely used manufacturer with a broad catalog that includes CW sources as well as pulsed/MOPA solutions. Our catalog includes CNC cutting machines configured with Raycus sources, including the LMM0009 (1.5 kW) and the LMM0010 (2 kW).
• Maxphotonics (MAX)
  • Another manufacturer with a strong presence in the fiber optic market, often used for CW applications related to cutting and welding. It's typically found on machines requiring continuous power and repetitive work (sheet metal cutting, welding, and in some configurations, even cleaning).
• JPT
  • Best known for its pulsed sources, especially the MOPA family, which allows for greater control over pulse parameters. This type of source is typical for laser markers because it helps when marking quality and flexibility on different surfaces and finishes are key.
• IPG Photonics
  • It is one of the historic manufacturers in the world of fiber lasers, with a wide range of high-power CW sources based on ytterbium, widely used in industrial cutting and welding systems.