Which Fiber Laser You Should Buy in 2021

Mostly good information; however, there are important details missing. More important than the laser power is the per-pulse energy (PPE). PPE tells you more about the laser than just how much energy is in each pulse. Generally speaking, a laser with a PPE of under 1mJ indicates inferior fiber; the pulse energy is managed to reduce the liklihood of fiber damage caused by the laser being absorbed by fiber impurities. How do you know what the PPE of the laser is if it's not listed in the specification sheet? Divide the maximum power by the lowest Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) for a Q-switched laser (optimum pulse repetition frequency (PRFo) for MOPA), and you get the approximate PPE, i.e., 20W / 20,000 = 0.001J = 1mJ. I would not buy a fiber laser that has a PPE under 1mJ. Another advantage MOPA has over a Q-switched fiber laser is the ability to go below the optimized pulse repetition frequency (PRFo). PRFo is the frequency where both pulse energy and power are at their maximum. Below PRFo, power is reduced approximately linearily, and pulse energy is usually capped at the maximum (fun fact, in diode-pumped open-air lasers, pulse energy increases below PRFo). Since we consider power to be "heat", we're effectively engraving with a lower heat affected zone (HAZ), which means better cuts--typically we want high PPE to engrave, and power (heat) to mark/anneal. Combine this with the ability to modify the pulse width, or the time each pulse interacts with the material, and we have complete control over the application. Why can't you anneal with a Raycus laser? The IPG laser systems Control Laser Corporation (CLC) was selling when IPG came out with their 20-Watt laser came with a Linos 254mm Focal Length (FL) lens, having a 7-inch field. These are 1mJ lasers, and are very capable of annealing with the correct parameters. I would argue that the Raycus systems likely have a cheap Opex lens, and this, combined with the low PPE is why these lasers have difficulties annealing. The Opex lens resolving power is crap; there is no discernable airy disc with these lenses; the laser is diffused too much, causing energy density to suffer. A Linos or Rofin-Sinar lens, having that large 120mm output lens, have wonderful resolving power, and this is why the IPG 20Watt laser, having a maximum frequency of 40kHz, can anneal all day long without problems. Yes, the Linos lens is about $1,600 more than the ~$50 Opex lens, but when you consider that you need to add more power with the Opex lens to get the same effect (energy density) as the Linos lens, it's cheaper to buy an expensive lens than to buy a laser with more power. Also important is the size of the laser beam going into the focus lens, as this is one of the parameters to the spot size algorithm. If the beam is small going into the lens, the spot will be large, i.e., low energy density. However, if the beam is large going into the focus lens, the spot will be small, high energy density. So, it's important to consider the complete system when talking about capabilities and applications, and comparing between systems. Stick a Linos lens on that Raycus, expand the beam to 8mm, and see what happens! Finally, I want to clarify that IPG is originally a Russian company, that moved the headquarters to Massachusetts to have a better political environment to operate in. Yes, there are factories in Germany, and still in Russia, and yes, those Chinese systems that claim to have IPG lasers in them are really IPG lasers (manufactured in Russia). Most general purpose fiber lasers from IPG are manufactured in Germany, and I think that's what you meant to say; i.e., the German IPG fiber is the holy grail of q-switched fiber lasers. (For MOPA, SPI Lasers, now part of Trumpf, is the equivalent). -Laser-Lance (AKA Vasily Basov, former employee of Control Laser Corporation, part of Hans Laser, China)

I didn't have this information when i bought my machine but it looks like the research I did payed off. 100 watt JPT MOPA split from MORN. It works well from what I know how to do and this channel is helping a bunch!! Now I just need to do the conversion from the library you gave us for my machine and figure out the Q plus width setting. Thanks again!!!

Terrific video. You’re supplying people with limited laser knowledge with exactly the information they need to make an informed choice.

Great breakdown. I wish This video existed a couple years ago when I bought my 30w JPT MOPA. I could have saved a lot of money sticking with a standard, but I was sold on the colors before I knew the beautiful photos shown of color where taken at very specific viewing angles.

You have no idea how much you have clarified for me these options. I now know exactly what I need. Thank you so much! 👍

Great info vids for sure, really cleared up some questions I had. Editing was spot on with the dual audio as well.

This is a great video and I've referred to it several times. Here we are in Jan of 2022, and I think the pricing is changing a LOT. A 100W Raycus Fiber Laser is now about the same price as a 50W MOPA. I know I'm going to want color if I don't have it, but a faster laser running 2x the power would also be nice. I'm in analysis paralysis!

THANK YOU! I had been looking for an easy to follow and thoroughly researched fiber laser explanation and you are it.

Great video and a great channel name. Thanks for putting this together as this will be the next component to my shop as the xcarve and my laser can only do so much.

Thanks for all you did .. I am so happy to see all your videos, you making it usually. its very usful and teaching others. its so genius and helpfull. Wish i know most of this infomation befoer buying my fiber laser. waiting for you to buy the UV laser and start your journy of expermets .. good luck Bro.

Thanks for the review, it really help clear many thing for getting into fiber laser

Learned a lot. Saved the video and subscribed. Thank you.

An excellent breakdown! Very very detailed. Loving your content!

Keep it up! Really appreciate your work!!!

Awesome info! Thank you so much.

Excellent Video - Great Info!!! Thanks!

Very helpful video about laser marking machine using methods

Hi Alex, FYI, I purchased a Mactron JPT 50w laser. I checked the model number of the laser source: YDFLP-E-50-LP-L-R. I did a search for that model number and it is listed as a MOPA pulse fiber laser. This appears to be the source when ordering the JPT. Thought you could use that bit of info with your recommendations. The case appears to be the same build quality as your new CO2 galvo unit. Thumbs up for Mactron for constantly improving their product line.

Having never used or seen a fiber laser in action only on YouTube I have decide to purchase one to hopefully enhance the Fountain pens I make, so I have taken your advice and ordered a Cloudray 50w JPT as you recommend them highly, at the age of 70 I think I will be seeking advice in abundance, Thank You.

Really helpful 👍 good job buddy ☺️