Side by Side Comparison: Fiber Lasers and CO2 Lasers | Diagraph's
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Side by Side Comparison: Fiber Lasers and CO2 Lasers

A different laser technology has been getting some new press lately, thanks in part to growth in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market. Fiber lasers aren’t new, but their application in the consumer packaged goods market has definitely hit a growth spurt. Product packaging is evolving and making use of different materials, like High Density Polyethylene or HDPE which is most desirable for its high-quality presentation, durability, and versatility in handling liquids from automotive oils to shampoo and specialty drinks.  It’s no mistake then that the fastest growing laser marking technology is fiber laser which has the ability to mark directly onto HDPE as well as a range of materials not previously well served with CO2 lasers.

What then, are the other key differences between CO2 and fiber lasers?:

  • Fiber lasers don’t necessarily use more power, but do use power differently.  The laser beam produced is in a different part of the light spectrum and is a much tighter beam.  This is what allows the laser to mark materials that other lasers can’t, such as HDPE.  Or, mark into other materials better such as rubber and metals.

  • By comparison, fiber laser can be quite small and compact.  Instead of a bulky tube of gas, fiber lasers use optical fiber as their lasing medium.  The exact science of it can be quite detailed but the bottom line is: these lasers are compact and have a small footprint.  This allows for easy and convenient installation to the packaging line.

  • Like most industrial equipment, fiber lasers do come with their own set of safety requirements which can be managed safely through proper guarding and training.

CO2 Versus Fiber Laser Feature Comparison

CO2 versus fiber laser comparison

 

Comparison of CO2 and Fiber Laser Marking Materials

Comparison of CO2 and Fiber Laser Marking Materials

The good news in the FMCG packaging and product identification market space is that there are lot of new materials and innovative packaging designs.  Even better, Linx Printing Technologies has introduced a fiber laser with easy integration, reliable operation, and the flexibility to deliver high quality codes across the widest range of materials for both static and dynamic applications. This durable product, which includes the IP54 rated marking head, enables the coders to operate in more challenging environments with the fiber laser beam source lasting more than 100,000 hours. 

If you have any questions about the benefits of lasers, or specifically about the Linx FSL20 (20W fiber) or FSL50 (50W fiber), feel free to reach out to one of our marking and coding experts here at Diagraph. We are happy to walk you through the best options to meet your specific application needs. Call 1.800.722.1125 to speak with an expert today!




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