Fiber Laser Cutting Machine V.S CNC Plasma Cutting Machine, Which is better ?

Cutting Materials :

CNC Plasma cutting is a processing which uses the heat of high temperature plasma arc to melt (and evaporate) the metal part and uses the momentum of high-speed plasma to eliminate the molten metal to form the incision.  CNC Plasma cutter can cut through the electrically conductive materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, cooper, brass, aluminum, etc.

Plasma cutting is exclusively used for cutting a variety of metals including stainless steel and aluminium. This includes metals with reflective surfaces, which cannot be manipulated by a laser cutting machine. Unlike plasma machines, laser cutters can be used for many other purposes including trimming, scribing, welding and engraving.

Cutting Accuracy:

The cutting accuracy of fiber laser cutting is much better than cnc plasma cutting machine. Fiber laser can cut 2X more accurate than plasma cutters.  Plasma lasers can cut metals at an accuracy of 0.1mm or .004 inches. Laser cutters cuts: .05mm or .002 inches.

Also, if you can get the cutting parameters right in laser cutting, you won’t have to worry so much about the cutting dross.

With plasma, you usually have to finish the cut with scraping or shaving because there’s leftover residue like dross.

So, if your metal cuts need to be precise, then you need a laser cutter. If you just need to cut simple shapes, and thick ones, then a plasma laser should be alright.

Cutting thickness :

When it comes to cutting various Fiber laser machines are more efficient at cutting thin metals. A fiber laser machine can cut thin metals efficiently up to 25mm or 1 inch. After that, fiber lasers start cutting metal less efficiently. You would need high amounts of power, which by the way cost a lot more money, to cut ticker metals above 25mm or 1 inch.   

Plasma on the other hand can effectively cut any kind of metal up to 80mm thick or 3 inches. Interestingly, plasma can start cutting faster than laser when cutting thicker materials.

Cost :

A metal plasma cutting machine is more affordable than laser, especially when comparing high-end plasma machines with high-end laser ones. This is mostly due to the cost of operating each machine on a daily basis and the speed at which each machine can work. Unsurprisingly, a machine that’s cheaper to run results in a finished product that’s most cost effective for your business.