The laser power of a laser engraving machine is one of the important factors that affect the engraving effect. It determines the intensity of the laser’s action on the material and the depth of the engraving.
Introductions to the Laser Power of a Laser Engraver
The relationship between laser power and material:
Different materials and hardness require different laser powers. For example, engraving wood may only require 10W of laser power, while engraving stone may require up to 40W of laser power.
The range of laser power:
The power range of a laser engraving machine can range from a few hundred milliwatts to tens of watts. Low-power laser engraving (200 milliwatts to 10 watts) is suitable for thin and light materials and materials with low hardness, such as paper, leather, and cloth. Medium-power laser engraving (10 watts to 20 watts) is suitable for medium-hard materials such as wood, plastic, acrylic, and stainless steel. High-power laser engraving (above 20 watts) is suitable for hard materials such as non-ferrous metals and stones.
The impact of laser power on processing time:
The maximum laser power of the laser equipment affects both product quality and processing time. For example, when cutting acrylic, a 120-watt laser power can complete the cut in 29 seconds, while an 80-watt laser power can only complete 65% of the cut in the same time.
Recommended laser power for different materials:
Paper engraving generally requires less power than wood engraving. For homogeneous acrylic materials, using lower power can produce less deep engraving contours. When processing engraving materials (plastic laminates), the higher the power, the faster the process.
Optimal laser power for cutting applications:
To achieve good quality, the thicker the material being cut, the higher the laser power required. As a rule of thumb, a power of 10 watts/mm is suitable for acrylic materials.
Power differences between fiber lasers and CO2 lasers:
Fiber lasers have a power range of 20 to 50 watts and are widely praised for their versatility and strength. CO2 lasers can reach up to 50 watts and are suitable for engraving a variety of organic materials such as wood, glass, ceramics and plastics.
Glass Engraving
When engraving glass, choosing the right laser power is critical, as glass is a delicate and fragile material. Here are some recommendations based on search results:
Low power settings: Due to the fragility of glass, it is recommended to start with a low power setting, around 15-25% of the maximum laser power.
Diode laser power level: Diode laser engravers for common applications have power levels between 10W and 40W. A 10W-20W diode laser is usually sufficient for clear surface marking on glass.
Power for deep engraving: If deeper marks are required, such as text or logo embossing, power levels between 20 and 30 watts are often used.
The need for higher power: If your job requirements require deeper markings, 3D or intricate detail effects, 30 watts to 40 watts or more may be required.
UV lasers: UV lasers typically range in power from 3 watts to 5 watts, making them ideal for marking delicate and heat-sensitive materials such as glass, ceramics, plastics, and even textiles. UV lasers minimize heat damage because of their “cold” engraving process.
Power and engraving effect: Higher power can achieve deeper engraving effects, while low power is suitable for delicate markings and designs.
In summary, it is recommended to start with a lower laser power when engraving glass and gradually adjust it according to the required engraving depth and effect. At the same time, considering the thermal sensitivity of glass, the use of UV lasers can achieve fine engraving while reducing heat damage.
Metal Engraving
When performing metal engraving, choosing the right laser power is critical because it directly affects the quality and effect of the engraving. Here are some suggestions for choosing laser power based on the hardness of different materials:
Advantages of fiber laser engraving machines: Because metal absorbs light in the infrared spectrum, fiber laser engravers are the most effective choice. They provide high accuracy, durability, speed and efficiency, as well as low operating costs.
The impact of power level: The power level of a fiber laser engraving machine can significantly affect the quality and depth of engraving. Lower power (for example, 20 watts) is suitable for surface marking and engraving on thin metals, while higher power (for example, 60 watts) is necessary for deeper engraving and cutting thicker materials.
Material thickness and required engraving depth: Thicker metals require higher power. Deeper engraving also requires more power.
Speed requirements: Higher power allows for faster engraving without compromising quality.
Engraving of different metal materials: Fiber laser engravers can handle various types of metal engraving, including stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and titanium. Each metal has its specific applications and recommended power settings.
In summary, when choosing the power of a metal laser engraving machine, you need to consider the thickness of the material, the required engraving depth, and the speed requirements. For general metal engraving, a 20-watt to 60-watt fiber laser engraver can provide good results. The specific power selection needs to be determined based on the actual application and material characteristics.
Can the power of a laser engraver be increased?
Whether the power of a laser engraver can be increased depends on the design of the laser engraver and the options provided by the manufacturer. Here are some key points:
Power range of laser equipment: According to the search results, the power of some laser engravers can be adjusted. For example, the Speedy series laser engravers offer different power options, ranging from 30W to 120W. This means that users can choose laser engravers with different powers according to their needs.
Possibility of power upgrade: If the hardware design of the laser engraver allows, some devices may support power upgrades. This may require replacing the laser tube or upgrading key components such as the power supply. However, such upgrades usually require expertise and technology, and may require support from the manufacturer.
Safety and efficiency considerations: Increasing the laser power can increase the depth and speed of engraving, but it also increases the thermal impact on the material, which may cause material damage. Therefore, caution is needed when adjusting the power, and safety and work efficiency should be taken into consideration.
Manufacturer guidance: If you are considering increasing the power of a laser engraver, it is recommended to consult the manufacturer to find out whether the device supports power upgrades and how to upgrade safely.
Professional evaluation: Before attempting to increase the power of a laser engraver, an evaluation should be performed by a professional to ensure that the safety and performance of the equipment will not be affected.
In summary, whether the power of a laser engraver can be increased needs to be determined based on the design of the specific equipment and the guidance of the manufacturer. Any increase in power should be done with caution and with consideration of possible safety risks and impact on equipment performance.
Conclusion
Choosing the right laser power is essential to ensure the engraving effect and improve work efficiency. Different laser engraving machine models and brands may have different power configurations, and users should choose the appropriate laser power according to their specific needs and material characteristics.
