For industrial laser marking, high-speed lasers are essential to meet tight production schedules while maintaining high-quality standards. But with so many options available, choosing can be confusing. After all, you want a machine that not only performs at high speeds, but that is also cost effective.
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In this article, we’ll break down the key considerations to select a high-speed laser marking machine that best fits your needs. From understanding the different types of lasers to evaluating important features and automation options, we aim to help you choose the right machine.
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Fiber lasers are typically the best choice for high-speed marking applications because they can achieve higher power levels and thus faster processing speeds.
Fiber lasers also require less maintenance than other types of lasers, which means there is more uptime and fewer interruptions.
An important factor to consider when choosing a laser is the type of material you're working with. Different materials absorb laser light in varying ways, which can affect the speed of the marking process. For example, metals and certain plastics absorb fiber laser light really well. However, CO2 or UV lasers may be better suited to materials like wood or glass.
Below is a comparison of how fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, and UV lasers are used:
Laser TypeBest Suited MaterialsTypical Applications & IndustriesMaintenanceFiber LaserWhen looking for a high-speed laser marker, some features are essential. Here are the ones we recommend when we customize machines for our clients.
During laser marking, a small portion of the material is removed and turned into dust. This dust tends to accumulate on the lens and, over time, reduces the marking quality by blocking the beam.
For this reason, all types of lasers require routine maintenance for lens cleaning.
To make the most of the laser’s high speed, air knives can be installed on the lens to blow air and prevent dust accumulation. Air knives help reduce the frequency of manual lens cleaning, resulting in longer intervals between maintenance stops. They are essential in high-throughput operations where every minute counts.
We almost always recommend air knives because they are not very expensive and can save you a lot of time.
Laser power is one of the most important factors that affects the speed of the marking process. As a general rule, if you double the output power, you almost double the laser marking speed. For example, a 100W laser is approximately twice as fast as a 50W laser.
sand casting plants.
To evaluate the power needed for your application, it’s best to discuss your application with an expert and provide them with the following information:
To optimize the cycle time, we generally recommend that our clients minimize the amount of information they store in 2D codes. This allows them to make smaller codes that are faster to mark. You can still store extra information in a database. You can learn more about how barcodes work here.
The way laser power is presented can be misleading because of the information that is omitted.
If you see a 100W laser, are you right to assume that it is faster than a 50W laser?
Well, it depends.
When you look at a laser’s spec sheet, you need to know whether the laser beam output is pulsed or continuous. A 50W pulsed laser can be faster than a 100W continuous laser because it makes a better use of its energy.
Continuous lasers always release the same amount of energy. Pulsed lasers build up energy and release it in pulses. This allows them to achieve a higher peak power.
Here are some numbers to give you a concrete idea of why pulsed lasers are more powerful.
peak power of 10,000 watts.
A 50W pulsed laser can hit the surface with 50,000 pulses of 10,000W per second.
In laser marking applications, the high peak power of a pulsed laser creates marks easily in the material. With continuous lasers, the peak power is typically not enough to ablate the material and generate permanent marks at high speed.
Pulsed laser markers are typically more expensive than continuous lasers because they require additional components.
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Choosing the right wavelength is crucial because different materials absorb laser energy at different rates. Metals, plastics, and ceramics all respond to wavelengths in unique ways.
Metals, for example, absorb laser energy better at shorter wavelengths, like the infrared light produced by fiber lasers.
Plastics, on the other hand, require CO2 or ultraviolet (UV) lasers to ensure precise marks without damaging the material.
The wavelength also impacts the marking speed. When a material absorbs the laser efficiently, the marking process is faster because less energy is wasted. If the wavelength isn't a good match, the laser has to work harder, which slows down the process.
Laser marking can be done using different sets of parameters and optical configurations. We call these laser processes.
Each laser marking process affects the surface in its own unique way. Most importantly, for a high-speed application, some processes are much faster than others.
Here is an overview of common laser marking processes.
Laser etching is the fastest process, as it alters only the material's surface by heating and expanding it. This process is ideal for high-speed applications. It is also more affordable than other processes because it does not require a high-power laser.
Laser engraving removes material to create deeper marks, making it slower but more durable. The deeper the engraving, the more time it requires. Laser engraving is typically more expensive because it requires a more powerful laser.
Laser annealing does not remove or alter the material's surface. Instead, it uses heat to change the color of metals with iron in them, such as stainless steel and titanium. Changes occur under the surface. It is used when the integrity of the material must remain untouched while still achieving high-quality marks.
This process slowly heats the surface, which allows oxygen to penetrate it without melting or ablating the material. Because of the way this process works, there is no point in using a high-speed laser.
Laser machines are available in various forms for high-speed applications. Here’s an overview of our fiber laser marking machines.
This portable workstation provides maximum throughput for a manually loaded machine. With a rotary table, operators can load new parts while others are being laser marked, ensuring continuous operation.
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This rotary machine is the most efficient laser marking machine available. The robot loads parts in just a few seconds while the high-power laser engraves parts in hidden time for maximum efficiency.
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This machine can be easily installed on any conveyor system and keep up with its cycle time, including existing setups. Positioned above the conveyor, the laser head can engrave moving parts and adjust automatically to positioning changes.
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The open-air design of this system provides great flexibility and a small footprint. A robotic arm holds parts during the process, making it simple to engrave multi-cavity parts and switch between different models with minimal changeover.
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This metal engraver combines simplicity with flexibility. The door used to load parts can be placed on any side to fit your plant layout. It is also one of the most affordable automation solutions.
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If you want to make sure that your next laser marking machine meets your needs, contact our experts. They will help you make an informed decision to minimize cost and optimize speed.
With so many possibilities for bringing your creativity to life, laser engraving is the next wonderful thing you won’t regret investing in. But how does a novice get involved in laser engraving, and, more importantly, when it’s quite expensive?
To answer this curiosity, this blog talks in detail about all the fundamentals of laser engraving.
Laser technology- a subtractive manufacturing method- is playing an immense role in transforming many fields, predominantly the marking and design industry. From jewelry adornments, labeling bar codes, and engraving keychains to product traceability, the heat-generating laser beam can do it all with accurate precision, the finest detailing, and relative durability.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website uv laser marking machine.
ComMarker laser engraver ensure an easy setup process, job processing features, and precise marking capabilities for your metal and plastic marking requirements.
While laser engraving entails many benefits and a wide range of real-world applications, many user-friendly and high-performing laser engravers like the ComMarker B4 make sense to purchase in the first place.
But before you head out investing your dollars in getting one, read a few of the essential considerations to make it a worthy buying.
When deciding to get your hands on one of the best laser engravers for your business endeavors, your search will take you to several options, and you’ll find many good reasons to choose one kind of engraver over another. It’s imperative to weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding on the one you want to purchase. Here are some guidelines that take you through what you need to get started.
At first, it may sound easy to design and engrave a decorative piece by hand without putting in your hard-core money, but this traditional style has put many skilled artists into the struggle to protect it from daily wear and tear.
Surprisingly, ComMarker Laser technology is the most versatile method of translating your designs into tangible products by creating a permanent, precise, and accurate lifetime marking.
The working principle of these machines depends on the ability of laser beams to vaporize specified areas of the parts in given patterns, called a sublimation process, meaning it converts metals (in solid states) into gases without becoming liquid.
The laser beam supplies much energy to the part’s surface, causing it to sublime. As a result, you’ll notice a high-contrast modification to the material’s surface. This process helps engrave barcodes, logos, serial numbers, part numbers, and QR codes.
When choosing a laser engraver, it’s essential to consider its core application. The type of materials you’ll use for the engraving and the level of detail you need to achieve are crucial factors.
You must prefer a laser engraver with a high-speed engraving capability and high accuracy to achieve the best results. Popularly, there are two types of laser engraving machines.
CO₂ lasers are gas lasers that emit infrared radiation and are the most common and widely used laser tools measuring a wavelength of about 10.6 μm (infrared).
The CO₂ optimal laser power ranges from 40W to 300W, making the machine excellent for engraving organic materials.
Modern CO₂ lasers produce the laser beam in a sealed glass tube filled with gas (usually carbon dioxide). A high voltage then runs through the tube and reacts with the gas particles, increasing their energy and producing light.
High-power CO₂ laser engraving machines are usually used for industrial applications, while low-power ones are used for commodity processing and engraving.
CO₂ laser systems are cost-effective, easy to set up, and extremely versatile they can help you start a new venture. They’re also suitable for intricate and detailed design.
Fiber engravers are solid-state lasers with minimal focal diameter, resulting in greater intensity than a CO₂ system. They typically have optical power of 2,000 to 4,000 watts, 10 times more than the CO₂ Lasers machine.
Fiber laser engravers operate at nm wavelength, making them mark a wide range of materials, though more optimized for metal marking applications. From traceability marks such as barcodes, QR codes, and text to other graphics on things like personalized items, switches, phones, and jewelry, Fiber laser can do it all.
These machines can outperform many industrial applications such as cutting, etching, marking, and engraving hard materials, thus automating the process through computer software.
Fiber engraving is considered a safe, sustainable, eco-friendly, and excellent business investment. They usually consume less power and offer long-term stability, efficiency, precision, and reliability.
The lifespan of fiber laser engravers is commendable, with an expected lifespan of about 100,000 hours. But these machines are pretty expensive, and the upfront cost is relatively high.
Laser engravers are such valuable devices that allow you to engrave customized designs on various materials, including metal, ceramics, plastics, and more. Examine the different projects you will be working on and the type of materials you are engraving before choosing which laser engraver you wish to purchase.
The M2 Laser Desktop Laser Engraver and the B4 MOPA JPT Fiber Laser Engraver are both designed for engraving many different types of materials. Here are the many other materials that can be engraved with ComMarker laser engravers.
Metals such as pure iron and steel are the preferred Fiber laser engraving machine type because they absorb light with a nm wavelength. Some metals, such as aluminum, have high thermal conductivity therefore, fiber lasers can mark them at a high temperature for high-speed applications.
ComMarker Fiber laser engravers can elevate your metalwork craft and unlock your limitless artistic potential by working ten times more efficiently than a CO₂ laser. They can concentrate higher amounts of energy on a single point.
The minimum base material thickness for all metallic, molded, or sheet plastic materials to be laser marked/engraved shall be 0.030 inches.
The finer, more precise, and highly versatile marking you see results from fiber laser machines. Whether marking barcodes, QR codes, or serial numbers fiber laser machines provide readable marks quickly and efficiently on almost any metal (aluminum, steel, magnesium, titanium, or lead).
Here is a chart that shows the relationship of metal with temperature.
The benefit of using laser engravers instead of traditional engravers is that you can precisely engrave plastic without worrying about melting the plastic. The UV laser marking machine is a great choice for a versatile, innovative, and less damaging approach.
In many cases, using a MOPA laser (variable pulse) works great for plastics. Because of the ability to control pulse timing, this laser performs exceptionally well, even for some difficult applications.
The UV 355 nm wavelength lasers have a very good effect on plastics. They deliver more attractive visuals and better improved appealing aesthetics. In fact, the difficult-to-mark plastics absorb the UV wavelength and create marking by photochemical reaction, which is very smooth.
Instead of heat pressure, UV laser machines use an absorption technique to carve objects. The high absorptive wavelength, 355nm, allows the laser to perform Cold marking, ensuring no excessive heat affects the base materials. This reduces soot and burrs caused by infrared laser beams.
Considering the laser power, a 3W UV machine or a 20W or 30W fiber laser works best for more accuracy and marking effects on plastics.
By using the ComMarker Fiber Laser ( nm) technology, the machine quickly produces permanent marks on your plastic component by reacting with the chemicals in the plastic to create a colored mark on the plastic, whether it is black, white, orange, or many other colors of plastic.
Undoubtedly, Laser engraving is a reliable solution to perform all your marking needs, but failing to use it properly might expose the operator to severe harm and danger. Thus, one must be aware of the precautions before using them.
Preventive Measures
To be safe, it’s recommended to follow these measures.
The cost associated with laser engraving depends on several factors- size, laser power, wavelength, type of material, and the kind of laser engraver you install.
Estimated Costing Relative to the Factors: Power, Type, Working Space, Material
A standard CO₂ laser module, or a home and hobby laser machine, costs $150 to $500.
On the other hand, large-format CO₂ laser machines charge around $15k to $150k. Laser machines with an industry-level performance can even go as high as $500k.
Large-format CO₂ laser engravers with a power range of 30W to 500W can engrave onto large work pieces and quantities of wood, glass, acrylic, fabric, leather, and rubber. These tools are priced at around $15k to $150k.
Aside from the machine setup charges, the CO2 laser engraving machine has to face several other servicing expenses such as:
If you decide to get a high-quality, high-powered, technology-integrated fiber laser engraver such as the B4 MOPA JPT, be mindful that it will charge you some hundred dollars. With laser power ranging from 20W to 60W, these fiber lasers cost from $3k to $10k. When it comes to engraving, a fiber laser is generally more effective than its C02 counterpart.
Most industrial-grade laser engravers that offer state-of-the-art technology range from $250k to more than $1 million.
However, High-power, automated fiber laser engravers can cost well over $2 million.
Generally, for standard specifications of fiber lasers, a 20W small-size machine with an engraving area of 200 X 200 mm costs about $~$, a 30W machine with an engraving area of 200 x 200 mm costs $~$, and 10W diode laser with a working area od 110*110 mm $999~$.
Also, the engraving material you use has some impact on the overall cost of your fiber laser machine. Depending on the laser engraving material and the expected mark result, different kind of machine is needed, whether it is fiber, CO2, or UV laser machine.
Further adding to the cost is the requirement for the carving effect on material. The more refined carve you need, the more laser engraving tools are needed, ultimately raising the machine costs. Similarly, for deeper, profound, and high-contrast engraving, a high-power laser machine needs to be set up while costing you a certain expense.
All in one, Engraving requires extremely accurate equipment, intricate step-by-step processes, and the proper tooling, among other things.
Laser engraving is an exceptional tool with numerous advantages, such as speed, reliability, accuracy, and versatility. The broad type of materials it can engrave on (plastics, metals, ceramics, and more) allows you to bring your creative ideas to life.
It also opens up a whole new world of possibilities for hobbyists, professionals, and business entrepreneurs. If you comprehend the basics and get the proper hold of it, it will help you create personalized, stunning, and unique designs.
As you reflect on this information, you can turn this passion into a profitable business.
Are you interested in learning more about uv laser engraving machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!