The laser beam applies heat to the surface of the workpiece, melting and burning the material and digging grooves.
The applications of laser engraving machines are wide, and are used in product design, crafts, advertising, decoration, architecture, medical care, and other fields.
In particular, when combined with a 3D printer, it is possible to process three-dimensional objects.
In this article, we will introduce what a laser engraving machine is, its types and how to choose one, and 5 recommended manufacturers.
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5 main types of Laser Engraving Machine
Since the materials suitable for engraving differ depending on the type, it is important to choose the type of laser engraving machine according to the material you want to process.
- CO2 Laser Engraving Machine
- Fiber Laser Engraving Machine
- YAG Laser Engraving Machine
- Ultra Short Pulse Laser Engraving Machine
- UV Laser Engraving Machine
CO2 Laser Engraving Machine
These machines operate by oscillating a laser, generating a fundamental wavelength of 1064nm. Additionally, they emit infrared light with a longer wavelength spectrum ranging from 9.2-10.8μm, concentrated primarily on two key wavelengths: 10.6μm and 9.6μm.It is characterized by its high energy efficiency and ability to process at high output, and can handle many materials such as transparent materials and metals.
The strengths of CO2 laser engraving machines include the following.
- A wide range of materials can be used, and detailed processing is also possible
- Purchase price is relatively low and running costs are low
- Ideal for microfluidic devices and printing
On the other hand, it is less effective against materials that reflect light (such as aluminum), and when used against materials with high thermal conductivity (such as metal and wood), problems such as reduced thermal conductivity and insufficient surface treatment occur. Please be careful as this may happen.
CO2 lasers are high-output, high-quality, high-speed pulsed lasers that can be used on hard materials such as metals and plastics, and are widely used in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing and medical equipment.
Fiber Laser Engraving Machine
Fiber laser engraving machines amplify laser light using a resonant medium called an active fiber that uses optical fiber communication technology, resulting in a very small beam spot.The advantages of fiber laser engraving machines are as follows.
- Excellent beam quality
- Easy to install at manufacturing sites as it is structurally smaller and lighter
- Energy efficient
- Small beam spot allows processing of large objects and heavy materials
This laser engraving machine is widely used in industrial applications such as cutting, printing, marking, and welding.
It is more energy efficient than regular laser processing machines, has a long lifespan, and is easy to maintain.
Fiber lasers can also be used on soft materials such as paper and cloth, so they are often used for design processing and printing of photographs, paintings, etc.
YAG Laser Engraving Machine
YAG laser engraving machine YAG (Yttrium Aluminum A laser engraving machine that uses a crystal called Garnet as the oscillation medium. .YAG laser is a near-infrared laser with a wavelength of 1064nm, and has high output and excellent thermal conductivity.
This makes it possible to engrave a wide range of materials, from hard materials such as metal and glass to soft materials such as wood and cloth.
The strengths of YAG laser engraving machines are as follows.
- Higher output than other lasers, allowing engraving on thick and hard materials
- High thermal conductivity, less distortion and burning of the material after engraving, enabling high-precision engraving
YAG lasers can engrave a wide range of materials, including metal, glass, wood, fabric, and plastic.
Especially used in fields such as medical equipment and automobile parts.
Ultra-short pulse Laser Engraving Machine
An ultra-short pulse laser engraving machine is a laser engraving machine that uses laser light with a pulse width of several hundred picoseconds to several nanoseconds.This laser engraving machine has high energy density and can instantaneously generate high temperatures.
As a result, it is now possible to engrave hard materials such as metal and glass, as well as to perform minute engravings, which was difficult with conventional laser engraving machines.
The strengths of ultra-short pulse laser engraving machines are as follows.
- Engraves hard materials such as metal and glass because it instantly generates high temperatures
- Short pulse width allows fine engraving
- Less damage to the material after processing (fewer processing marks)
Ultrashort pulse lasers are extremely high output, high quality, and high speed pulse oscillation lasers that can be used on hard materials such as metals and plastics. It is widely used mainly in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing and medical equipment.
UV Laser Engraving Machine
A UV laser engraving machine is a laser engraving machine that uses an ultraviolet laser with a wavelength of 380 to 400 nm.Ultraviolet lasers have shorter wavelengths and higher energy density than visible light.
This makes it possible to engrave non-metallic materials such as plastic and wood, as well as to perform minute engravings, which was difficult with conventional laser engraving machines.
The strengths of UV laser engraving machines are as follows.
- Can engrave non-metallic materials such as plastic and wood
- Short wavelength allows fine engraving
- Color can be expressed by changing the color of materials such as plastic and wood
UV lasers can be used on soft materials such as paper and cloth, but are not well suited for hard materials such as metal.
Suitable for designing and printing photos, paintings, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a Laser Engraving Machine
There are several machines that can make precise markings and cuts just like laser engraving machines, but laser engraving machines have some advantages and disadvantages when compared to waterjet cutters, plasma cutters, etc.
Here we compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Benefits of using a Laser Engraving Machine
Laser Engraving Machines have the following advantages compared to other engraving machines:- Can be processed without contact
- Ability to make fine engravings
- Ability to process multiple workpieces
Ability to process without contact
Laser Engraving Machines are capable of non-contact processing.As a result, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- High precision and quality as fine details can be precisely engraved
- Low risk of damage or deformation of brittle or soft materials
- Achieving complex shapes and detailed designs without the need to replace or adjust cutting tools
Especially in the precision industry, such as manufacturing small parts, making artwork and decorative items, carving delicate designs in woodworking, precision processing of glass products, pattern carving of leather products, etc. It is used in a wide variety of industries and materials.
Ability to make fine engravings
Laser Engraving Machines can make finer engravings than other engraving machines.Therefore, especially wood, plastic, metal, glass, leather, etc. can be precisely processed with high accuracy.
Laser Engraving Machines are particularly effective in the following areas:
- Jewelry industry: detailed design, brand name and serial number engraving
- Electronic component manufacturing: engraving identification information and technical details on small components
- Promotional item manufacturing: Accessories and gift items that require logo or detailed message engraving
- Art and design: detailed artwork and intricate design carvings
- Medical device manufacturing: engraving identification codes and instructions for use on devices and instruments
Ability to process multiple workpieces
Laser Engraving Machines have extremely high processing efficiency as they can mark multiple workpieces at once, allowing to significantly reduce time and man-hours while maintaining a consistent production system.Water jet processing machines can only process one object at a time, and cannot achieve the high efficiency of laser engraving machines.
Unlike other engraving machines, laser engraving machines allow for mass production, batch production of customized products (such as personalized gifts), and even the engraving of serial numbers and identification markings.
Disadvantages of using a Laser Engraving Machine
On the other hand, laser engraving machines also have the following disadvantages, so be careful.- Difficult to process thick materials
- Not suitable for highly reflective materials
Thick materials are difficult to process
Laser engraving machines are not good at processing thick materials.Due to the characteristics of lasers, there is a risk of damaging the material if the output is increased too much, so it is difficult to increase the output above a certain level, and the processing range by laser irradiation is narrow.
For this reason, the materials that can be processed with laser engraving machines are limited, and the depth of processing is also limited.
For example, thick materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and acrylic are suitable for processing up to the following thicknesses; if the material is thicker than this, it may not be possible to process it as designed.
- Metal: If it exceeds 1mm
- Wood: If it exceeds 6mm
- Plastic: If it exceeds 5mm
- Acrylic: If it exceeds 10mm
Not suitable for highly reflective materials
When a laser engraving machine processes a material, the material is processed by the laser being absorbed by the material.Highly reflective materials can be difficult to process because the laser is reflected rather than absorbed.
When processing highly reflective materials, there is a risk that the laser beam will be reflected back at the operator and people around them, and even if the material can be processed, there is a high possibility that the quality of the material will be degraded.
Examples of highly reflective materials include:
- Mirror-finished metal
- Some plastics
Conversely, matte surfaces and dark-colored materials are suitable for laser engraving.
So far, we have explained the advantages and disadvantages of using a laser engraving machine compared to other engraving machines.
In the next section, we will explain how to choose the best laser engraving machine for your company.
If you are looking for the right laser engraving machine for your factory and the materials you work with, read on to the next section.
5 key points to compare when choosing the best laser engraving machine
To choose the best laser engraving machine for your company, you need to compare and consider the following five items.
- Material to be processed
- Laser power
- Laser wavelength
- Lens focal length
- Scan speed
Processed Materials
The materials that are suitable for different types of laser engraving machines vary.Therefore, first of all, your company needs to confirm the material you want to process.
If you do not select an engraving machine that is compatible with the material, unexpected accidents may occur or processing accuracy may decrease.
Each laser engraving machine specializes in processing the following materials.
We recommend choosing the most suitable type based on the materials your company processes.
| Suitable materials | Unsuitable materials | |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 laser Engraving machine |
Wood, acrylic, glass | Metal, PVC, mirror |
| Fiber laser Engraving machine |
Metal, plastic, anodized aluminum | Wood, glass, leather |
| YAG laser -Engraving machine |
Metals, ceramics, hard plastics | Soft plastic (modulus of elasticity less than 70MPa) Wood, fabric |
| Ultrashort pulse laser Engraving machine |
Microchips, fine metal parts, glass | Thick metal plate, soft rubber, wood |
| UV laser Engraving machine |
Plastic, glass, ceramics | Metal, wood, soft rubber |
Laser power
By adjusting the laser output of the laser engraving machine, the following points will change.- Engraving and cutting speed
- Accuracy of engraving and cutting
- Damage to material
- Diffusion of laser light
As the laser output increases, processing speed and accuracy increase, allowing efficient and accurate processing.
On the other hand, as the output increases, the material being processed becomes more susceptible to damage, and the energy density decreases, resulting in a decrease in machining accuracy.
On the other hand, if the laser output is low, processing speed and accuracy will decrease, but it also has the advantage of causing less damage to the material and preventing a decrease in energy density.
We recommend choosing a laser engraving machine that can adjust the output appropriately depending on the material and required processing.
Laser wavelength
As the laser wavelength of the laser engraving machine changes, the following points will change.- Energy density of laser light
- Permeation rate into material
- Color expression
The longer the laser wavelength, the higher the laser penetration rate into the material, allowing deeper machining.
You will also be able to process various colors.
On the other hand, care must be taken as the longer the wavelength of the laser, the lower the energy density, making it difficult to process thick materials.
Conversely, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy density of the laser, making it possible to process thicker materials.
On the other hand, the laser penetration rate into the material decreases and color expression becomes difficult, so care must be taken especially when processing using delicate colors is required.
Lens focal length
When the focal length of the lens changes, the following factors change:- Concentration of laser light
- Accuracy of engraving and cutting
- Engraving and cutting speed
The longer the focal length of the laser, the more focused the laser beam is, which increases the precision of engraving and cutting.
On the other hand, care must be taken as machining speed may slow down and laser light may diffuse.
Conversely, if the focal length of the laser is short, the focusing power of the laser beam will decrease.
Although the machining accuracy decreases, it has the advantage of increasing the machining speed and making it difficult for laser light to diffuse.
We recommend deciding whether to prioritize processing accuracy or high speed before selecting a laser engraving machine.
Scan speed
The following factors vary depending on the scan speed of the laser engraving machine.- Engraving and cutting speed
- Thermal effect of laser light
- Processing accuracy
Increasing the speed of laser processing comes at the cost of increasing the thermal effect of the laser on the material.
Also, the machining accuracy will be reduced, so please be careful.
On the other hand, when the speed of laser processing is reduced, the heat-affected area becomes smaller, the object to be processed is less likely to be damaged, and processing accuracy increases.
However, machining efficiency will decrease, so if you want to prioritize speed, you need to be aware of a certain decrease in accuracy.
So far, we have explained five items to compare when choosing a laser engraving machine.
In the next section, we will introduce specifically recommended manufacturers.
5 recommended manufacturers of Laser Engraving Machines
There are many manufacturers that manufacture Laser Engraving Machines. Here are our recommendations.
| CO2 laser engraving machine | Fiber laser engraving machine | YAG laser engraving machine | Ultra short pulse laser engraving machine | UV laser engraving machine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Laser Systems |
✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
| xtools | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| Coherent | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ |
| TRUMPF | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | – |
| Shibaura Eletech | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
If you would like more information, please contact us using the button below.
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Universal Laser Systems
Universal Laser Systems Co., Ltd. is a machine tool manufacturer headquartered in Arizona, United States.Founded in 1988, we were the first in the world to develop an X-Y printer/plotter type laser processing machine.
Currently, we are a pioneer in establishing the genre of laser processing machines that can perform engraving, marking, and cutting in one machine.
The company especially manufactures the following types of laser engraving machines:
- CO2 laser engraving machine
- Fiber laser engraving machine
We provide laser processing machines that are ideal not only for the craft industry, but also for high-tech industries such as automobiles, aerospace, electrical and electronic equipment, and medical equipment.
Coherent
Coherent is a global company founded in California in 1966.The company offers four types of laser light sources: CO₂ lasers, fiber lasers, LD-pumped solid state lasers, and semiconductor lasers.
The CO₂ laser is a compact pulsed laser with a power/size ratio suitable for cutting, welding, and surface treatment of metals, plastics, organic materials, etc.
Fiber lasers are high-performance pulsed lasers with features such as high output, high quality, high speed, and low power consumption.
LD pumped solid state lasers are miniaturized pulsed lasers with features such as low output, low power consumption, and low cost.
Semiconductor lasers are high-output, high-quality, high-speed pulsed lasers that are suitable for microfabrication and thin film formation in semiconductor manufacturing processes.
The company provides laser engraving machines in a variety of industries, including the medical and semiconductor fields.
xtool
xTool is a manufacturer founded in 2012. The company was originally a company called Makeblock specializing in STEAM education. At the end of 2020, Makeblock turned to the laser machine business, and the xTool brand and first product xTool D1 was launched in 2021.xTool mainly manufactures CO2 laser engraving machines.
Specifically, there is a desktop xTool P2, a CO2 laser cutter, with a power output of 55W.
Also, xTool We also manufacture a diode laser cutter called S1, a portable laser engraving machine called xTool F1, and a home crafting machine that combines a diode laser and vinyl cutter called xTool M1.
The company’s products serve a wide range of users, including small businesses, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts, and educators.
Laser engraving machines are also used to process a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, and leather, for a wide range of uses, from personal creative projects to small business applications and educational settings.
TRUMPF
TRUMPF, founded in 1923, is the world’s leading electronic equipment company. While we have strengths in machine tools, laser technology, and industrial electronics, we also manufacture laser engraving machines.The company handles three types of laser engraving machines:
- CO2 laser engraving machine
- Fiber laser engraving machine
- Ultra short pulse laser engraving machine
The company’s technology is used in a wide range of industries, including the automotive industry, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing.
Shibaura Eletech
Shibaura Eletech Co., Ltd. was established in 1972 and manufactures semiconductor manufacturing and flat panel display manufacturing equipment.The company handles three types of laser engraving machines:
- Fiber laser engraving machine
- YAG laser engraving machine
They are especially active in the manufacturing industry, which requires high precision, including the semiconductor industry.
Investing in your own Laser Engraving Machine? Contact Us!
If you are unsure about selecting the most suitable product or company for your intended use, please feel free to contact us.We will make proposals that suit your company’s requirements based on the characteristics of the products and the strengths of each company.
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