Lasers are discussed often among crafters and sign-makers due to the technology’s growing versatility and availability. With this rise in popularity, you may be considering adding laser engraving to your business or expanding upon the laser engraving technology you’re currently working with. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a small business owner, or looking to expand your manufacturing capabilities, selecting the right laser engraver for YOU is crucial. However, we know running a business leaves little time for shopping, so in this comprehensive guide we’ll cover key points to consider when shopping for and making your laser purchase. Our guide covers what features and details to consider for laser newbies and pros alike!
The most overlooked, yet obvious, step to shopping for a laser engraver is understanding and defining your needs. Adding a laser to your business adds nearly endless possibilities, however it’s important to understand your core desire and motivation for your purchase. For example, the needs and wants for a creative laser user may vary greatly for a laser user in a manufacturing or industrial setting. There are laser options that are equally qualified to cut acrylic, but one may work better for small intricate jobs while the other may be a better choice for creating industrial tags, where speed and power may be more important. It’s also crucial to define your preferred material, or at least what materials you’d like to start with, because that will impact what type of laser you invest in.
A few key questions to ask yourself before you start your laser search are as follows:
1. What do I want to make?
2. What materials will I use most?
3. Where will my laser be located?
4. What’s at the top of my budget?
5. What are the key features I’m looking for in my laser?
As technology advances, the options for laser engravers continue to grow! Some are small, some are gargantuan, and some are somewhere in between, and all have their unique advantages and limitations. Understanding what you want to make and what materials you’ll use most will help narrow down the type of laser engraver that’s right for you.
There are several different types of engraving as well as versions of laser engravers on the market to choose from. For example, laser engraving uses a high-intensity beam of infrared light, which is directed onto the material to be engraved and rotary engraving uses a rotating spindle to mark material. There are also fiber and diode lasers to consider. Let’s dive into the types of lasers and their capabilities.
The CO2 laser engraver is likely what comes to mind when you think of a laser engraver. This laser uses a laser beam, or high-intensity beam or infrared light, to burn away material to mark or cut through material. The power and speed of a CO2 laser engraver is ideal for non-metal materials like wood, acrylic, glass, and leather.
If these materials align with your interests, a CO2 laser could be the perfect choice for you! Its versatility in size and affordability makes it a popular option for small businesses and hobbyists alike. There are numerous CO2 laser options available to fit various budgets and spaces. For instance, Flux Lasers are ideal for beginners in laser engraving or as a complement to a shop already using a larger laser and Epilog is a company that offers larger bed sizes for a more professional setting.
When selecting a CO2 laser, there are several key features to consider including power, bed size, precision, ease of use, and safety. Understanding these features will help you make an informed decision and maximize the efficiency and quality of your laser engraving or cutting projects.
Power and Wattage
The power of a CO2 laser, measured in watts, is a critical factor in determining its capabilities. Lower wattage lasers (around 30-50 watts) are suitable for engraving and cutting thin materials such as paper, leather, and thin plastics. Higher wattage lasers (60-150 watts and above) can cut through thicker materials like wood and acrylic and can engrave harder materials more quickly and deeply. Assessing the types of materials you will be working with most frequently will guide you in choosing the appropriate power level. For instance, if your business plan involves producing a large quantity of simple tags and shapes, a higher wattage laser would be a good choice. Conversely, if your business focuses on smaller, detailed craft projects, a lower wattage laser may be sufficient.
Bed Size and Work Area
The bed size or work area of the laser is another crucial consideration. This defines the maximum size of the material that can be placed in the machine and processed in a single run. Smaller bed sizes (e.g., 12” x 8”) are sufficient for engraving smaller items like plaques and small signs, making them ideal for hobbyists and small businesses with limited space. Larger bed sizes (e.g., 24” x 18” or more) are necessary for larger projects, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency, especially in a commercial setting.
When selecting a CO2 laser, it’s also important to understand the power requirements of the laser and if they’re compatible in your space. You may consider consulting an electrician if you’re investing in a larger bed size laser with high wattage.
Precision and Resolution
Precision and resolution are vital for achieving high-quality engravings. Precision refers to the laser’s ability to produce fine details and intricate patterns, while resolution (measured in dots per inch, or DPI) impacts the clarity and sharpness of the engraved images. High-resolution lasers (typically DPI and above) are essential for applications that require detailed artwork, such as photographic engravings on wood or acrylic. Ensuring that the laser can meet your desired level of detail is crucial for professional-grade results.
Software Compatibility and Ease of Use
The software that controls the CO2 laser is also an important factor. User-friendly software with robust features can significantly enhance the efficiency and creativity of your projects. Look for software that offers compatibility with common design programs (such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW) and provides intuitive controls and automation features. Advanced features like real-time previews, layer management, and customizable settings can streamline the workflow and reduce the learning curve for new users.
Maintenance, Support, and Safety
Finally, consider the maintenance requirements and available support for the CO2 laser. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep the laser operating at peak performance, including cleaning the optics, replacing the laser tube, and ensuring proper ventilation. Choose a manufacturer or supplier that offers comprehensive support, including easy access to replacement parts, clear maintenance instructions, and responsive customer service. Reliable technical support can be invaluable, especially if you encounter issues or need assistance with complex projects.
It's also important to source your materials from a reliable source and ensure proper ventilation when lasering. Putting some materials, like PVC or vinyl, can be extremely harmful to you and your machine as they let off toxic fumes when lasered. If these are materials you’d like to work with, you may want to consider another option for your cutting technology.
By carefully evaluating these key features, you can select a CO2 laser that aligns with your specific needs and ensures a successful and efficient engraving and cutting experience.
While diode lasers are not the most powerful type of laser engraver available, they offer a balance of affordability, ease of use, and versatility for cutting and engraving thin, non-metallic materials. If your projects primarily involve materials like thin wood, paper, fabric, and certain plastics, a diode laser can be a great choice. For cutting thicker or more robust materials, however, you might need to investigate more powerful CO2 or fiber lasers. A diode laser is smaller, so may work well if you’re limited on space and budget.
Fiber lasers are continually growing in popularity. This machine is ideal for metal engraving and marking. It touts high precision and works well for industrial application.
While fiber lasers offer many advantages, such as high precision, efficiency, and the ability to work with a variety of materials, they also come with certain downsides that potential users should consider. Fiber lasers are typically more expensive than a C02 laser and accept a small range of materials. For example, they struggle to cut materials like wood, acrylic, and some plastics. They are also somewhat difficult to maintain and require specialized tools for servicing. However, fiber lasers excel at cutting and engraving metals, including steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. They can handle a wide range of metal thicknesses and types, making them highly versatile for various industrial applications.
As you conclude this article, you might have identified the ideal laser engraver for your needs but remain unsure about where and how to source it. It is crucial to purchase your machine from a reputable manufacturer who can ensure the equipment is safe and reliable, while also handling your financial transactions and personal information with care.
Start by researching well-known manufacturers and reading reviews from other customers. Look for companies with a solid track record in the industry, positive customer feedback, and robust customer service. A reputable manufacturer will also offer comprehensive warranties and support services, including installation assistance, training, and maintenance.
When selecting a manufacturer, verify that their machines meet all relevant safety standards and certifications. Quality assurance is vital; the equipment should be built to last and perform consistently. Requesting a demonstration of the machine, either in person or via video, can help you assess its performance and build quality firsthand.
If the perfect laser engraver exceeds your current budget, explore the available financing options. Many manufacturers and distributors offer flexible payment plans, leasing options, or financing through third-party providers. These financial solutions can make it more manageable to invest in the right equipment without straining your finances.
Beyond financing, consider other factors such as the availability of replacement parts, ease of obtaining technical support, and the overall cost of ownership, including maintenance and operational expenses. Building a relationship with a trustworthy supplier can provide long-term benefits, ensuring you have reliable support and access to necessary resources throughout the lifespan of your laser engraver.
Choosing the right laser engraver involves assessing your specific needs, understanding the available types of engravers, and considering essential features such as power, bed size, software compatibility, and safety. With the right information, you can make an informed decision and find a laser engraver that meets your requirements and enhances your capabilities. Additionally, we recommend working with an industry professional to secure a demonstration and obtain further details on the specific equipment you’re considering. Reach out to us and we’d be happy to connect you with one of our specialists!
The main factor between material types that decides if a particular material type can be easily laser engraved or not is whether the material is metallic or not. Some metallic materials cannot be engraved at all. To engrave metals, ie. to remove a layer of the processed metal, it is recommended to start with a 15 W or higher optical power blue laser head. As of now, PLH3D-15W laser engraver is the best compact laser head on the market capable of engraving steel as well as stainless, carbon, tool and high-speed subspecies of it. It still is not powerful enough to engrave on bare Aluminium, Copper or brass simply because these materials either conduct heat too well or reflect too much laser light. It is possible to laser engrave copper with 30 W (optical power) blue laser heads. XT-50 is another laser engraver that allows you to work with metals, and it does so with outstanding precision (as its 50 µm wide focused beam spot corresponds to >500 real-life DPI ). These two engraving laser heads allow you to laser engrave (not just mark) the metals mentioned above.
If you are satisfied with simply laser marking the metal, you can achieve it on stainless steel and Titanium (but not other metals) with 6 W laser engravers. Laser marking is defined here as changing the color of the metal surface as a result of overheating. Laser marking is however less durable than laser engraving because the depth of the color change is much lower. Laser-marked surfaces can withstand just a few scrubs with fine sandpaper. For this purpose, the XF+ laser engraver with High-Resolution Lenses.
Nevertheless, if you want to do it really fast (>30 mm/s), then you will either need a laser with 15 W of optical power or the XT-50 laser cutter and engraver. Depending on the chemical composition and type of stainless steel you can assume speeds of 0.5 - 2 mm/s, 8 -15 mm/s, or 20-40 mm/s for the XF+ High Resolution Lens,PLH3D-15W respectively.
When buying a blue laser for cutting and engraving on wood, you often need to decide about its power. Less powerful, 2 W laser is not only cheaper but also allows for more precision laser engraving on wood. The more expensive 6-watt laser can engrave images with large pixels, and can be used where 2-watt version cannot, like cutting hard leather, or marking stainless steel or titanium. 2 W laser can work with a size of the spot of light as small as 0.1 mm, which enables wood engraving of very small details.
Results of engraving heavily depend on wood type. Several parameters need to be taken into account like hardness of the wood, surface and growth rings.
As a general rule, it is recommended to use an image with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) for laser engraving. This will ensure that the laser is able to produce a detailed and accurate engraving, even at small sizes. However, higher resolution images may be necessary for extremely detailed or fine engravings.
By using a high-resolution image and considering the size of the engraving relative to the size of the ceramic plate, you can achieve the best results when engraving with a diode laser. There are a variety of software programs that can be used to create designs for engraving on a ceramic plate with a diode laser.
With PLH3D-XT-50 and it's capabilities to perform engraving with the 500 DPI allows for amazing quality engravings on materials like ceramic tiles. Higher power density reveals new cutting and engraving possibilities. Additionally, cutting and engraving processes are significantly faster comparing to laser heads without anamorphic optics.
For thermoformed plastics, optical power density is significantly less important than optical power. The more optical power you deliver to the surface being processed, the faster it melts. For this very reason, 6 W laser engraver is a good choice. It is because it is built with the highest power laser diode available on the market. Nevertheless, higher optical power laser cutters and engravers such as 15 or 30 W multidiode laser heads will do an even better job. 2 W is generally not recommended for processing thermoformed plastics but it can do the job if lower cutting speeds are acceptable.
There are many dangerous materials, particularly plastics, for which you should research whether a given material can be safely laser processed before any laser processing takes place. For these materials, you should have a ventilation system set-up in place and well as use an air-assist nozzle to protect the lens if possible. As a result the most suitable laser engraver and laser cutter choices would be:
It is a good practice to have a ventilation system set-up for laser processing any plastics and additionally to remove the fumes with additional fan or direct fumex extraction tip from the cutting point. Remember that fumes are dangerous not only to humans, certain materials produces corroding gas or other substances that can influence your machines performance over time.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website HANMA LASER.
Unlike thermoplastics, white materials require a high optical power density laser head in order to be laser engraved or laser cut. The higher the optical power of your laser engraver and laser cutter is, the higher variety of materials you will be able to cut. Hence the best choice for such materials is either PLH3D-15W or XT-50 if ultra-hd precision is preferable.
As a general rule, most laser heads can process similar material types. Only a few particular types of materials require your laser engraver and laser cutter to have specific properties. The most common problematic materials were mentioned above.
Other types of materials can be processed with all engraving laser heads that have at least 2 W of optical power, and the main difference in their application would be the throughput obtained.
The maximum thickness of the material that can be laser cut is determined by a few parameters. The most important factor is the material itself. Secondly, it also depends on the optical power and optical power density of your laser as well as the angle of the light cone. Foams in general are the thickest materials that can be cut with a laser cutter.
As a general rule, PLH3D-XT-50 or PLH3D-15W laser engravers will perform better than XF+ at laser cutting anything thinner than 5-6 mm. For material thicknesses above 8-10 mm it is advised not to use PLH3D-15W, XT-50 or XF+ as they will cause edge burning as a result of light cone angle. PLH3D-15W laser cutter will perform way better than XT-50 working with themoplastics with around 3 times higher laser cutting speed. Meanwhile, the XT-50 laser cutter will perform better at removing thin layers or laser cutting very thin materials where heat dissipation effects have smaller influence on cutting speed. Thus for materials with 8-10 mm thicknesses it is advised to use standard XF+ laser head equipped with either G2, G7 lens or High-Resolution Lens. Standard XF+ can be used to cut quite thick materials up to 40 mm. It can for example be utilized for cutting 40 mm foam in just 4-6 passes. We have also tested cutting 10 mm balsa with PLH3D-6W-XF+ Laser Head, but it is definitely possible to cut even thicker balsa with additional passes.
PLH3D-CNC Adapter allows you to quickly connect your laser head to almost any CNC machine, including 3D printers. You may require basic electronics skills to connect it to more complicated controllers. Nevertheless, common controllers such as BlackBox controller, Duet 3D or xPro v4/v5 are quite easy to connect. We also have a controller connection database showing how to connect your PLH3D-CNC Adapter to a wide range of controllers.
Basically, with the help of the PLH3D-CNC Adapter, it is possible to connect the laser head to almost any CNC machine to turn your CNC machine into a laser engraving machine. One of the most important things, besides the connection, is generating an appropriate G-Code. G-Code for a laser engraver differs from the standard G-Code. The laser needs to be switched off for the duration of any idle movement while a spindle could be left spinning. The two most similar aspects of the laser and spingle g-codes are the power and the rotation speed. The same PWM signal that controls the rotation speed of the spindle can be used to control the laser power of your laser cutter and engraver. Typically, this is done with the S0 - S255 command (0 for 0% power and 255 for full power), but depending on your CNC Software and Controller, you might end up using different values, for example, S0 - S.
While it is possible to connect your laser engraver (and cutter) without the adapter, it requires basic electronics skills and an additional power source.
Opt Lasers Laser Heads are designed to work with any CNC machinery and connecting them to your system is pretty straightforward. To fire the laser head, you need to provide it with a 5V or 10V analog signal, or you can use a PWM signal. Opt Lasers laser heads can be mounted on robotic arms, robots, rovers, lathes and all kinds of CNC machinery that can operate a modulating signal or a 0/1 digital signal.
All main accessories (LaserDock, High-Pressure Air Assist Nozzle) can be found in the product details section in the main menu. All other accessories as well as descriptions of their applications can be found on the Opt Lasers Accessories webpage.
The most important accessories you should consider for your laser cutter and engraver are:
Specially for you, we have prepared a website that guides the user through the process of selecting a laser head and then leads to the appropriate set for your CNC machine. Click the button below to visit this website.
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We are delighted with the designs our customers have sent us using laser engraving heads, and it is motivating us to continue creating and improving products. You can find a lot of useful information, creators' works and descriptions of their stories here. We publish the most interesting material on our website and social media profiles.
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Cutting and engraving wood using a CNC laser depends on the type of wood, its hardness, as well as other parameters like humidity, or texture. Materials that are easiest to cut with a laser are balsa and aviation plywood. Plywood is made of two layers of slightly harder wood, and a filler - usually balsa. Laser cutting these materials is least problematic, and the process is highly repeatable, since the wood has no knags, and has a foam-like, homogenous structure. When selecting material suitable for laser cutting or engraving, you should check its uniformity. Some variants of balsa are cheaper but may contain splinters of harder wood that are more difficult to cut with a CNC laser. Similar guidelines apply to aviation plywood.
Discover more about Cutting & Engraving Wood with CNC Lasers
Transparency is a physical property of materials, which means that light can travel through an object without scattering (on a macroscopic scale). A transparent material is a material that appears clear and of a single color. Examples of transparent materials include plate glass and amorphous plastics (e.g. acrylics, PEI, PC, ABS, PS, etc.). Films of certain crystalline polymers, such as PET and PP, are also transparent as a result of being stretched in two directions (and thus bi-axially oriented), which aligns the polymer molecules in the film’s plane. There is consequently no refraction because of this alignment.
Discover more about Laser Engraving Transparent Materials
You can find a lot of useful information in the same tab this article is.
To find out about typical achievable laser engraving speeds as well as laser cutting speeds for different materials, please visit:
https://optlasers.com/material-laser-cutting-tests
Step-by-step laser cutter and engraver installation guides for a wide range of popular CNC machines and 3D printer can be found below:
https://optlasers.com/user-manuals
To familiarize yourself with our laser engraver and laser cutter products installation manuals, please go to:
https://optlasers.com/user-manuals
To find the answers for standard questions, please see the FAQ:
https://optlasers.com/frequently-asked-questions
Instructions, 3D files, Software, technical drawings etc. can be found here:
https://optlasers.com/files-download
There are a lot of videos on Youtube that show laser cutter and engraver installation for different machines or present various interesting laser projects. You can also visit our Youtube Channel, which you are more than welcome to subscribe to.
There are a lot of related videos made by professional users as well as hobbyists. You can check them out here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=opt+lasers
We have a few playlists that differentiate our videos based on the topic discussed. These for example include playlists related to specific CNC machines, Opt Lasers Educational Series or laser projects. In the link below, you can find lot of useful information about how to use laser engravers, how to install them or find an exciting inspiration for a new project:
https://www.youtube.com/c/OptLasers/playlists
We highly encourage you to join our Opt Lasers facebook group. You can use this group to show your laser work, exchange laser processing experience as well as ask any questions you might have:
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Below you can find our YouTube videos showing laser cutting and laser engraving tests, technical explanations and reviews as well as other valuable content:
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