By vaporizing materials into vapors, laser engraving creates deep, lasting markings. The material’s surface is stripped of layers by the laser beam, which then works as a chisel to create incising markings. The high heat needed for vaporization is produced by the laser’s concentrated, high-energy strikes on certain regions.
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You may get detailed information about how laser engraving operates and where to buy a laser engraving equipment in this page.
However, first watch this little video to witness the workings of a fiber laser engraving procedure. You can witness the crisp contrasts, quick marking, and fumes produced by laser marking in this video.
Which Is Better: Laser Etching or Laser Engraving?
You should consider the following three things when selecting a laser marking process:
The resilience of the marking: its ability to continue being readable in challenging circumstances
The pace at which lasers mark: the duration of marking that avoids manufacturing bottlenecks
The marking material’s suitability for the marking technique
When engraving metal workpieces that will be subjected to different kinds of wear or surface treatments, laser engraving technology is usually utilized. Steel and aluminum, particularly die-cast and anodized aluminum, are used in metal engraving.
This process’s capacity to engrave 2D codes that maintain excellent reading rates following post-process treatments is its most notable characteristic. The most complicated traceability problems may be resolved with these procedures, which can involve shotblasting, e-coating, and heat treatments.
Laser etching, on the other hand, is usually chosen if engraving the most durable identification is not required because it is a high-speed technique that depends less on ablation.
A greater range of materials, such as steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, lead, magnesium, and zinc, may be etched using a laser.
Additionally, a special technique known as laser annealing may be used to brand metals like stainless steel.
How It Works: From Solid to Gas
Laser engraving sublimates the material surface to create deep fissures, whereas laser etching melts the material surface to alter its roughness. This indicates that the surface never becomes a liquid since it absorbs enough energy right away to transform from a solid to a gas.
The laser engraving system has to provide enough energy in order for the material’s surface to reach its vaporization temperature in milliseconds, which is necessary for sublimation. Laser engravers are quite strong instruments, especially when you consider the high temperatures needed for sublimation.
When materials get this hot, they evaporate and turn into vapors. Consequently, if you get a laser system, it has to be accompanied with an air knife to shield the laser’s lens and a fume extractor system to safeguard the surrounding area.
Because they provide a wavelength that interacts well with metals, fiber lasers are the perfect engraving instruments for this.
How Can High-Contrast, High-Quality Marks Be Engraved?
You may observe the chaotic surface produced by laser engraving if you look at the following enlarged photos.
Laser engraving leaves darker permanent markings because light is trapped in deep voids (the engraving depth can go up to 0.5 mm).
When laser engraving a surface, you may achieve contrast in two methods.