CO₂ laser (gas lasers)

CO₂ laser are gas lasers that are based on a carbon dioxide gas mixture, which is stimulated electrically. With a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers, they are mainly suited for working on non-metallic materials and on most plastics. CO₂ lasers have a relatively high efficiency and feature a very good beam quality. They are therefore the most widely used laser types.

Suited for the following materials: Wood, acrylic, glass, paper, textiles, plastics, foils & films, leather, stone

Fiber lasers belong to the solid state laser group. They generate a laser beam by means of the so-called seed laser and amplify it in specially designed glass fibers, which are supplied with energy via pump diodes. With a wavelength of 1.064 micrometers, fiber lasers produce an extremely small focal diameter; as a result their intensity is up to 100 times higher than that of CO₂ lasers with the same emitted average power.

Fiber lasers are optimally suited for metal marking by way of annealing, for metal engraving, and for high-contrast plastic markings. Fiber lasers are generally maintenance-free and feature a long service life of at least 25,000 laser hours.

A special type of fiber laser is the MOPA laser, where pulse durations are adjustable. This makes the MOPA laser one of the most flexible lasers which can be used for many applications.

Suited for the following materials: Metals, coated metals, plastics