Fiber laser cutting technology has evolved dramatically over the past 40–50 years. Like any pioneering technology, its early stages were costly and accessible only to a select few companies or universities that could afford machines priced in the millions of pounds—even for relatively low-power 500W systems.
As the technology gained traction, entry-level fiber lasers became more broadly available. However, until around 2010–2015, only a handful of companies—most notably Trumpf, Bystronic, and Amada - led the market. At that time, the primary source of laser generators was IPG, originally a Russian company that later moved its headquarters to the United States. Over time, machine manufacturers began developing their own laser sources to reduce reliance on external suppliers.
To understand the differences in pricing and quality between the top three brands and manufacturers like Fabertec, it’s essential to delve deeper into fiber laser technology.
From CO2 to Fiber: A Major Leap Forward
Previously, CO2 lasers were the go-to technology for sheet metal cutting. They worked by generating a laser beam inside a gas-filled tube, which was then directed through a series of adjustable mirrors to the laser head for focusing and collimation. While effective at the time, CO2 systems presented several challenges:
- Scaling up Power: Achieving higher kilowatt power levels with CO2 lasers was expensive and required large tubes or multiple units.
- Open Laser Path: The open beam path, reflected by multiple mirrors, was prone to contamination. Operators needed extensive training and maintenance protocols.
- Machine Footprint: To mitigate contamination, many CO2 systems fixed the laser path and moved the table, resulting in a larger footprint compared to modern fiber systems where the gantry moves above the sheet.
- Tube Lifespan and Maintenance: CO2 tubes had a relatively short lifespan, and issues such as gas sealing, glass tube fragility, mirror replacement, and contamination all increased operational costs.
- Limited Material Range: Cutting very thick sheets (e.g., 20–40mm) often required supplemental plasma cutters. This meant fabricators needed multiple machines—two or three CO2 lasers plus a plasma cutter—raising investment costs, floor space requirements, energy usage, and operating expenses.
When fiber lasers entered the market, even a £1 million price tag didn’t seem prohibitive, considering the long-term benefits and the potential to replace multiple machines with a single, more capable solution. Today, I still visit fabrication shops that operate four to six CO2 lasers but are eager to replace them with just two fiber lasers for better reliability, faster processing, and thicker sheet capabilities.
Why Fiber Lasers are Transformative
Fiber lasers offer significant advantages over CO2 systems:
- Sealed, Compact Source: Without moving parts or open beam paths, contamination is minimized. The fiber laser source is far smaller than the equivalent CO2 setup.
- Longer Lifespan: Fiber laser sources can last up to 100,000 hours, depending on usage—a vast improvement over CO2 tubes.
- Higher Power in Smaller Packages: Increasing power output does not drastically increase the size of the laser source. For example, a 3–4kW fiber source is about the size of a large hi-fi amplifier, and a 12–20kW source is comparable to a small hotel fridge. Even a 100kW fiber laser is far more compact than a 10–20kW CO2 equivalent.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: Fiber lasers are approximately 25–30% efficient. A 1kW fiber laser draws about 3–4kW from the mains, which is far more efficient than CO2 counterparts.
- Low Consumables Usage: Fiber systems use fewer consumables, improving ROI and reducing ongoing costs.
- Versatile Material Processing: Fiber lasers can cut various metals—mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium, tungsten, and more—without multiple specialized setups.
Fiber lasers are transforming material processing with their compact design, longer lifespan of up to 100,000 hours, exceptional energy efficiency, and minimal consumable usage. Their ability to handle diverse materials like steel, aluminum, brass, and copper makes them a versatile and cost-effective alternative to traditional CO2 systems.
Democratization of Fiber Laser Technology
Until about 2010–2015, IPG dominated the fiber source market, allowing it to charge £100k–£200k for a few kilowatts of laser power. This left little room for price competitiveness and stifled widespread adoption. Recognizing this gap, numerous Chinese companies—previously experienced in producing CO2 and small-wattage fiber lasers—rapidly invested in R&D to create their own laser sources.
Today, Asian manufacturers such as Max Photonics, Raycus, JPT, and RECI offer laser sources at highly competitive prices, with Max and Raycus leading the way. For example, a 6kW fiber source that costs around £20k from these suppliers might cost £100k–£120k if sourced from IPG. Such a significant price differential has paved the way for a surge in budget-friendly fiber laser machines. While a single Trumpf, Amada, or Bystronic machine might sell, you could find up to 40–50 units of similarly powered, more affordable machines sold in the same timeframe. This shift has allowed even small fabrication shops to consider fiber laser technology—something that would have been prohibitively expensive just a decade ago.
I wouldn’t be surprised if major brands eventually introduce their own “budget-friendly” lines to maintain competitiveness and market share.
Addressing Common Concerns About Affordable Fiber Lasers
Nearly every day, I receive calls from customers asking the same question:
“Charles, what’s wrong with Fabertec machines when you’re offering a 12kW double-table laser for £130k, while Trumpf, Amada, or Bystronic charge £600k–£800k for a machine with similar capabilities?”
Their concern is understandable—how can a machine that’s 6–8 times less expensive still deliver equivalent results?
Here are a few key factors:
Overheads and Margins
Major players like Trumpf, Amada, and Bystronic are well-established global companies with large infrastructures. They must achieve £300k–£500k in profit per machine to cover substantial overheads: global offices, thousands of employees, R&D, showrooms, support staff, exhibitions, and shareholder dividends.
Fabertec, being younger and leaner, does not carry these hefty overheads, enabling us to offer similar capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
In-House Capabilities vs. Specialization
Companies like Trumpf design and manufacture their own laser sources and heads, which they do not sell to third parties. While this integration can improve quality, it also raises costs. At Fabertec, we carefully select and integrate high-quality, proven third-party components. This approach ensures performance while keeping the price affordable.
Focused Product Range
The major brands offer extensive product lines, including advanced automation solutions, warehouse integration, bending lines, and entire CRM systems. Maintaining such diversity in products and services requires significant funding. Fabertec focuses on delivering reliable, high-quality laser cutters without unnecessary bells and whistles, keeping prices down.
Efficient Service and Repairs
Fabertec can handle repairs and maintenance in-house without costly outsourcing or complex logistics. Less overhead and complexity translate directly into cost savings for our customers.
Lean Operations and Pragmatism
We avoid unnecessary expenses—no extravagant redesigns that add cost without benefit to the customer, and no paying £400k for software layout tweaks that no one has asked for. We work with established, time-tested suppliers for controllers and laser heads, ensuring reliability and simplicity. We concentrate on what truly matters to fabricators: ease of use, durability, and top-notch cutting results.
High-Value Fiber Lasers Without Compromise
Fabertec isn’t offering “cheap” machines in the sense of inferior quality; rather, we’re delivering high-value, high-performance fiber lasers without the inflated margins and overheads associated with major brands. It’s akin to comparing a premium luxury car to a well-built, reliable sedan. The luxury option may have pearl metallic paint and impeccably stitched leather, but a more affordable car can still get you from A to B efficiently, reliably, and comfortably. With Fabertec, you can achieve the same cutting quality and longevity at a fraction of the cost.
Don’t just take our word for it - come see the machines in person. If you’ve previously owned one of the big three brands, you’ll be well-positioned to compare quality and ease of operation directly in our showroom on our FL2, FL3, or FL4 models.
We look forward to welcoming you in person.
How Much Does a Fabertec Fiber Laser Cost?
The cost of a Fabertec Fiber Laser varies significantly depending on the specifications. At Fabertec Group UK the Fibre Laser starts from £32,000+ vat.
