5 Things to Know Before Buying uv laser engraving machine

In this blog, we will explain seven things you should know before buying a fiber optic laser engraver or UV laser engraving machine — working area, focal length, pulse resolution, quality of the power source, automation functions, engraving speed and after-sales service are some of the facts that you should have on mind before you purchase this type of technology.

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1) Working Area

Before buying a laser engraving machine, it is essential to know which it is the working engraving area its the one we need to decide which its the power source we can use. The fiber optic laser head works like a magnifying glass, and the closer the object is, the more diffuse its the focus point of the light.

Also, on the contrary, if the Magnifying glass is far away, the light is scattered, and it also fails to engrave clearly and powerfully.

This means that some machines as the all in one can't have a working area mayor than 10x10cm because the head need to have a focus space between lens and the working table. 

This means that you should check very well which machine model you will pick up, because some models have a very narrow focal distance, and working engraving area, this don't allow you to engrave big products and stop you to work with different applications. If you want to pick the right working area for your applications please contact us.

2) Focal length

When choosing a fiber optic laser, you must have on mind the focal length. The focal length is due to two variables, and the first is the power of the (power source), and the second is the working area of the lens. These must be combined correctly to get a deep and precise engraving.

Example: A 50W power source usually brings a 30x30 cm lens; this machine can engrave an optimal working area of 20cmx20cm deep and clear. However, this machine can also use a 50x50 lens, what happens when you use a 50CM lens with a 50W power source? The answer is that the work area has a much weaker and much less deep engraving giving the machine power loss and dissipating the laser light.

In the same way, you should have on mind the power and the lens when choosing an engraving machine, and if you are looking for a low power laser with a large engraving area, for sure you'll have a very weak and shallow engraving.

3) Pulse resolution

The resolution of the machine can be defined in two factors, one the frequency, and the other is the maximum resolution. The higher the frequency spectrum, the greater the engraving capacity and therefore, the resolution and accuracy is going to be much better, the quality of the engraving becomes sharper and better in small details.

Example: Most conventional Chinese machines have a spectrum between 20 to 120 Khz. while a machine with the higher resolution has a spectrum of between 1Khz to 850KHZ.

When buying a laser engraver, you should pay close attention to these details, as this tells you a lot about the quality of the machine.

There are many different power fiber sources, but all of them have different advantages and dis advantages, and one of the bullet points that make the difference its the pulse resolution, for this reason, we recommend you check another blog: 

4) Power Source

The fiber optic source is an essential detail when buying a fiber optic engraving laser machine, this largely to the power of engraving. On these depends the Khz, and the light wave, these two define the capacity of depth and resolution with which you can engrave a surface.

The most popular fiber optic sources for those who dedicated to jewelry are IPG and BCF these two top brands in the market. Furthermore, we have Chinese brands, which are also of enough quality for work over different materials. The best brand in China is Raycus with ample advantage to their contemporary Chinese rivals, MAX, Sino-galvo, and others, being the best brand in China.

The warranty of the power source and the after-sale service of this one also have a significant impact on the machine quality, sadly many power source companies as MAX and Raycus don't offer an outstanding warranty and after-sales services which make this power source one of the cheapest power sources on the market, and easy option for a short budget but a bad business in a long run, especially if you are looking for high quality resolution. 

5) other functions

When buying an optical fiber engraving machine, you must have on mind how many functions you can add after purchase your machine. It means that you must buy a machine with software and hardware extension in the long run.

Example: Most conventional Chinese machines do not have automatic engraving options on assembly lines limiting engraving only to small plates. Which it makes very difficult to upgrade your machines with different hardwares in the future, in case that your production require increase the speed. 

Some examples of motion hardwares for engraving.

6) engraving speed

The engraving speed is relative to the power of the optical fiber power source, the more power, the more engraving speed, this means that a 10W optical fiber with mm per second engraving can only achieve that speed using a maximum engraving power and with an awful engraving result.

therefore, if you use a 30W laser, it can engrave with a depth of 0.3mm at speeds higher than Millimeters per second with a decent engraving result.

It means that the higher the power, the higher the engraving speed if, you are looking to engrave with high speeds in a production line it is better to think about buying a fiber optic laser at least 30W onwards.

7) warranty and after sales service

After-sales service and warranty can define the success of your business. It also tells a lot about the quality of the machine. The standard technology can have 1 or 2 years warranty while most of the FDA and CE standards machines can work with 3 years warranty.

Remember that the most common problems in fiber optic machines are power source cuts and burning heads. Although these machines do not need any maintenance, it is very common to see many people looking for spare parts or changing the power sources after a year of work.

That happens because the sources of fiber optic power source overheat and go to short circuit.

That is why you must choose a machine with a good guarantee that can cover the source of optical fiber because this is the soul of the machine.

The other common problem is lens corrosion or lens fungus, and this problem is common with the low-cost lenses that can be found in the Chinese market.

Ideally, ask for a reasonable guarantee on the lenses and the power source.

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.

Introduction

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.

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.

Basics Of Buying A Laser Engraver- Five Key Essentials

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.

1.  The Basic Working Principle of Laser Engraving Machine

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.

2. Select the Right Type of Laser Engraving Machine

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 Laser Engraver: The best machines for engraving plywood, wood, and wood materials (chipboard, cardboard, cork, etc.)

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.

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Are you interested in learning more about uv laser engraving machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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 Laser Engraver: The best metal engraving machines (carbon or stainless steel, aluminum, copper, precious metals)

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.

3. Consider Engraving Material and Machine

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.

• Metal

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.

• Note that the more heat-conductive and light-reflective the materials are, the harder it will be for a fiber laser machine to engrave. So, if you need to work with metals with these qualities, the 50W fiber laser engraving machine is recommended.
• A20W fiber laser goes well if intended to mark and do light etching on metals.
• Marks produced by laser engraving have a depth of up to 0.020 inches.

• Plastic

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.

4. Safety and Precautions Operations

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.

• Laser beams are highly intense and invisible; if you come in direct contact, they can cause severe burns and eye damage. So, when working near laser equipment, don’t forget to wear your laser safety goggles.
• Laser engraving machines can potentially cause fire outbreaks; therefore, an operator must plan to set a fire extinguisher in place.
• During the marking and engraving process, the machines emit toxic fumes and smoke, so install a properly maintained fume ventilation system at the facility. This will protect all fumes from building up inside and making inhaling less problematic.
• Keep an eye on the type of engraving material because each possesses its own set of properties. As you process plastic or other metal materials, it emits fatal rays, so reading about them beforehand is crucial for your personal safety.
• Read the product manual so that you can appropriately know the tool handling. Also, staying at a safe distance is another approach to minimizing potential injury.
• In case you need to move the system position or want to lift the machine, don’t do it alone. Always seek the assistance of one or two other people. The weight of the system may lead to injury.
• While cleaning, maintaining, and servicing the laser equipment, remember to disconnect the power and remove the power cord from the electrical supply.

5. Total Investment & Operating Costs

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

CO₂ laser Engraving

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.

Estimated cost with Maintenance Needs and Consumables

Aside from the machine setup charges, the CO2 laser engraving machine has to face several other servicing expenses such as:

• Lens and nozzle alignment (daily)
• Lens protective cover: $10-$20 each (daily)
• Emptying scrap bins/dust collection units (daily)
• Lubrication (daily/weekly/monthly depending on machine and use)
• Replacing air/gas filters: $2,000 – $4,000, (semi-annually)
• Cleaning/replacing dust collector filters (depends on materials being cut and level of machine use): $800 – $2,000, (every 6 months)

Fiber Laser Engraving:

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.

Conclusion

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.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of co2 laser marking machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.