Factors Affecting The Operating Cost of Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

Fiber laser cutting machine is mainly used in the manufacturing industry. When cutting, the laser beam quickly melts the metal surface to achieve the precise and perfect cutting effect. Compared with other cutting methods, fiber laser cutting is more cost-effective, but the cost-effectiveness depends on the cost of running the fiber laser cutting machine and the production profit. If you want to buy a fiber laser cutting machine, you need to know its true cost first, which will help you consider whether the fiber laser cutting machine is worth the investment. As with any other type of manufacturing process, the cost of running a fiber laser cutting machine depends on many factors. This article will detail these factors and discuss how you can reduce costs for your project.

The primary factor affecting the operating cost of fiber laser cutting machine

Don’t just stop at evaluating the initial cost of a fiber laser cutting machine, it’s also important to consider the ongoing costs of the day-to-day consumption of the machine. Below we will analyze the factors that occupy the main part.

Daily operating costs

The operating costs of fiber laser cutting machines with different powers are different, but no matter what kind of machine it is, its daily operating costs will include manpower, electricity, and auxiliary gas.

Manpower: The cost of manpower is always unavoidable. The operation of a fiber laser cutting machine requires helpers and operators, and to operate the machine effectively you need at least a team of 2 to 3 employees including an operator, a material handler, etc. Estimates can be made based on labor costs and machine sizes in your area.
Electricity: The power consumption of the fiber laser cutting machine laser machine is directly proportional to its efficiency. The higher the efficiency, the greater the power and the more power consumption. When shopping for a fiber laser cutting machine, be sure to check the wattage of the machine to get a better idea of your electricity bill.
Auxiliary Gas: Gas consumables, such as O2 (oxygen) or N2 (nitrogen), are required in most fiber laser cutting operations. Fiber laser cutting machines will consume more assist gas per hour than CO2 laser cutting machines.

Raw materials

Raw material cost is a necessary part of the cost of a fiber laser cutting machine. Depending on the part geometry and how the parts are nested in the programming, between 10% and 50% of the raw material is not fully utilized the first time. After effective plate recycling, this part of the material can be reused for a second time.
If you do not have enough funds to purchase raw materials during the cutting process, you may face the problem of price increases, because it is much cheaper to order materials in large quantities. Storing and handling materials of these sizes often also require a lot of space, specialized equipment (forklifts, cranes, etc.), and unique training for laser operators. Raw material costs are also affected by the operation, and if the fiber laser cutting machine cannot be run proficiently, the amount and cost of scrap material will also be high. As you can see, material costs are not as simple as they seem.

Accessories

After purchasing a fiber laser cutting machine, additional costs will be involved, and sometimes certain accessories need to be purchased according to business requirements. For fiber laser cutting machines, the use of automation can significantly reduce labor costs. If your machine is capable of automatic loading, automatic unloading/sorting/stacking, or scrap destruction, it can greatly improve part production and profitability. Of course, you first need to purchase the corresponding accessories, which will increase the total cost of the machine.

The cost of a fiber laser cutting machine at regular intervals

The cost of running a laser-cutting machine depends on many factors. In addition to the daily ongoing operating costs, fiber laser cutting machines also require replacement and maintenance of wearing parts at regular intervals.

Replacement of wearing parts

Some parts of the fiber laser cutting machine, such as protective glasses, focusing mirrors, nozzles, ceramic rings, etc., need to be replaced regularly. Process damage to these parts can occur due to accidents, overheating of metal surfaces, and any other reason during cutting. The timely update helps the machine to focus the laser beam and make the cutting smooth.

Maintenance, Repair, and Cleaning

To ensure that the fiber laser cutting machine can run in the best condition, we can carry out regular maintenance and maintenance on it. You need to spend time and money cost to regularly check the alignment of certain parts on the fiber laser cutting machine, vacuuming, wiping, lubricating, and cleaning the fiber laser cutting machine. Routine maintenance is relatively simple, less time-consuming, and low-cost, but this kind of maintenance can not only reduce the failure rate, and reduce the wear and tear of components, but also prolong the service life of the equipment. The better the daily maintenance and maintenance, the more stable the performance of the equipment and the longer the service life.

Hidden costs

Some costs are often overlooked by manufacturers because they are relatively trivial. These costs are called hidden costs. Additional components required to operate a fiber laser cutting machine can be considered hidden costs, these can be hardware (e.g. spare lenses, smoke extractors, etc.) or software (CAD, CAM, controls) system components; computer setup, repairs, upgrades, etc. Can be considered as hidden costs; additional charges are charged at the time of purchase, such as taxes, duties, courier services, etc., which also add to the price of the machine. Please consider adding them to your total cost.

Reduce error handling to further reduce costs

The various costs of fiber laser cutting machines described above may make you think that using a fiber laser cutting machine requires a lot of money, but compared with other cutting methods, fiber laser cutting is more cost-effective. You can also reduce your machine cost by reducing some of the errors in laser cutting.

Ensure correct operation when cutting

A fiber laser cutting machine needs proper size and cutting parameters, any wrong operation may lead to damage to products and components, thus increasing the cost. It is best for machine operators to undergo formal operation training to ensure correct operation during cutting can effectively reduce costs.

Reduce the strength and thickness of the material

The strength of the material will affect the running cost of the fiber laser cutting machine. The thicker the material, the longer it will take for the laser to penetrate and cut, and the more expensive it will be.
You can stack multiple thinner sheets of metal and cut them simultaneously. Reduce costs by increasing output in one cycle time. However, you need to pay attention to the number of layers, too many parts may make the thickness beyond the cutting ability of the fiber laser beam, and may also increase your cost.

Avoid overly complex design customizations

The design has a direct impact on the cost of fiber laser cutting. Complicated designs take more time in the cutting process, which means more money for you. An overly complex design will increase the overall risk of the project and may even require multiple treatments.

Avoid uninterrupted machine operation

For high-volume orders, increased demand means more resources are required. The advantage of the fiber laser cutting machine is that it can continue to operate without resetting. However, if the fiber laser cutting machine is used for uninterrupted operation for a long time, it will directly affect the equipment and reduce its work efficiency.

Summarize

In short, optical fiber laser cutting is a simple and favorable business, which can start from your company after the initial investment. Users can easily obtain stable income by cutting and making products. Only by maintaining the fiber laser cutting machine as much as possible can we better save production costs and win greater benefits.
If you need to find a suitable custom optical laser cutting service (machine), you can navigate to AccTek Laser, we have also selected some of the best fiber laser cutting machines for you, maybe it will help you make the right decision. Choose the right machine according to your budget and business idea and start earning money.

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