5 reasons why fiber lasers can help reduce your company's carbon footprint

In an era where climate change has become a global emergency, every industry should look for ways to help mitigate its carbon footprint and reduce its impact on global warming.

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In this article:

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• How do industries contribute to global warming?

• Why are power sources key to reducing environmental impact?

• How do fiber lasers help reduce your carbon footprint?

1. Energy efficiency 

2. Minimal replacements and reduced waste

3. Reduced cooling requirements

4. Ability to hibernate and power-up instantly

5. Less floorspace

• Recap

How do industries contribute to global warming?

Every industry has a carbon footprint measured by the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG for short) it generates, of which carbon dioxide and methane are the most common. A greenhouse gas is any gas that absorbs heat and then re-emits it into the atmosphere, raising its temperature. Greenhouse gases are constantly released into our atmosphere by natural causes, but they don't significantly affect their temperature. However, human activity, such as generating power through fossil fuel burning, mining, cutting down forests, and others, has a drastic effect on global warming.

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Why are power sources key to reducing environmental impact?

Considering electricity generation alone is responsible for approximately half of the world's man-generated CO2 output, it becomes clear that power sources and their efficiency have a significant impact on lowering CO2 emissions.

The ideal scenario would see every industry switching to green energy sources such as wind and solar power, which emit no CO2 from their operation. However, even if many companies are gradually making this transition, not all will achieve it in the short term. Here's where a more efficient manufacturing process can make a difference.

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How do fiber lasers help reduce your carbon footprint?

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1. Energy efficiency 

When it comes to sheet metal cutting, fiber lasers are the most efficient method. Thanks to their solid-state resonators, they require less electrical input for better output. So, not only do they use 70% less electricity than conventional CO2 lasers, but they're also capable of cutting up to 5 times faster, resulting in substantial energy savings and increased productivity.

2. Minimal replacements and reduced waste

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing software (CAD/CAM) results in consistent and precise cutting, reducing material waste. In addition, fiber laser machines have fewer and more durable components than CO2 lasers. This translates to minimal replacements and service requirements which, apart from guaranteeing the highest ROI, also contribute to waste reduction. For example, our patented eVa cutting head (link to eVa section on our website)has very few moving parts and a unique design that results in four times less contamination and ten times less frequent glass replacement. 

3. Reduced cooling requirements

CO2 lasers use mirrors to bounce the beam from the resonator to the cutting head, and those need to be cooled down, cleaned, and maintained. On the other hand, fiber lasers use solid-state resonators within the optical fiber, which is mirror-free. The lack of mirrors reduces heat, minimizes maintenance, and saves considerable energy in complex cooling systems.

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4. Ability to hibernate and power-up instantly

Another energy-saving characteristic of fiber laser machines is their ability to hibernate. CO2 lasers have an extended power-up time, so they are usually running constantly and thus consume more electricity. In contrast, fiber lasers can hibernate for hours and power up in a heartbeat when needed. When you grasp that a CO2 laser consumes more energy on standby than a fiber laser does while cutting, you'll get an idea of how much energy it saves.

5. Less floorspace

Fiber lasers are altogether more compact than CO2 lasers. In some cases, the power source is inside the machine, and in others, it can be mounted on a rail above, saving even more space—fiber lasers' compact size results in more productivity per square foot. So, you have more parts per hour and produce them using less energy in a smaller space.

Quick Recap

More efficiency combined with less waste due to cutting accuracy, fewer and more durable parts, reduced downtime, and floorspace make fiber laser technology the best option for enhanced productivity and a reduced environmental impact in the metal cutting industry—a real game-changer.