I. Definition of Laser Engraving Machine
A laser engraving machine uses a laser beam to create permanent marks on the surface of materials or inside transparent substances. The laser beam can induce chemical and physical changes in the material! When the material instantly absorbs the laser light, it undergoes physical or chemical reactions, resulting in etched marks or the display of patterns or text! Therefore, it is also known as a laser marking machine or laser engraver.
II. Product Features
A laser engraving machine is a technological device that utilizes a laser to engrave materials. It differs from mechanical engraving machines and other traditional manual engraving methods. Mechanical engraving machines use CNC machinery with extremely hard materials like diamond to engrave softer substances. A laser engraving machine (also called a laser engraver) includes a laser and a gas nozzle positioned along the output optical path. One end of the gas nozzle is a window, while the other end is an orifice coaxial with the laser beam. A gas pipe is connected to the side of the nozzle. Specifically, this gas pipe is connected to an air or oxygen source with a pressure of 0.1–0.3 MPa. The inner wall of the orifice is cylindrical, with a diameter of 1.2–3 mm and a length of 1–8 mm. The oxygen source contains 60% oxygen by volume. A reflector is placed in the optical path between the laser and the gas nozzle. This setup enhances engraving efficiency, makes the engraved surface smooth and rounded, rapidly owers the temperature of the engraved non-metallic material, and reduces deformation and internal stress in the workpiece. It can be widely used for fine engraving on various non-metallic materials.
III. Working Principle
Using a laser for engraving and cutting is very simple, similar to operating a computer printer on paper. You can design in a Windows environment using various graphics software. Scanned graphics, vectorized images/text, and various CAD files can easily be "printed" to the engraver. The only difference is that printing deposits toner onto paper, whereas laser engraving directs the laser beam onto materials like wood, acrylic, plastic sheets, metal plates, stone, and almost all other materials, causing chemical changes to achieve the engraving effect.
IV. Product Classification
1. By Material Type:
Metal Laser Engravers: For all solid metals and alloys (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum oxide, aluminum).
Non-Metal Laser Engravers: For all solid non-metallic substances (e.g., glass, acrylic, leather, synthetic leather, wood boards, wooden crafts).
2. By Laser Type:
Lamp-Pumped YAG Laser Engraver (Wavelength: 1064nm)
CO2 Laser Engraver (Wavelength: Note: CO2 lasers typically emit at 10.6μm, not 1064nm. Original text likely contains an error.)
Semiconductor Laser Engraver (Wavelength: 808nm / 980nm / etc., pump source; or direct diode marking ~900nm-1100nm)
Fiber Laser Engraver/Marker (Wavelength: 1064nm or 1080nm)
Green Laser Engraver (Wavelength: 532nm)
UV Laser Engraver (Wavelength: 266nm or 355nm)
V. Applications
Can engrave various non-metallic materials. Used in industries including apparel accessories, pharmaceutical packaging, liquor packaging, architectural ceramics, beverage packaging, fabric cutting, rubber products, housing nameplates, crafts & gifts, and electronic components.
Applied in industries such as electronic components, integrated circuits (IC), electrical appliances, mobile communications, hardware products, tool accessories, precision instruments, eyewear & watches, jewelry & accessories, automotive parts, plastic keypads, building materials, PVC pipes, and medical devices.
Suitable materials include:
* Common metals & alloys (Iron, copper, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, all metals)
* Precious metals & alloys (Gold, silver, titanium)
* Metal oxides (Various metal oxides)
* Specially treated surfaces (Phosphating, anodized aluminum, electroplated surfaces)
* ABS plastic (Appliance casings, daily necessities)
* Ink (Light-transmitting keypads, printed products)
* Epoxy resin (Electronic component encapsulation, insulation layers)
* Engraves metals and various non-metallic materials. Particularly suitable for products requiring fine details and high precision.
VI. Advantages of Laser Engraving Machines
A laser engraving machine focuses a laser beam onto a very small area of material, causing it to vaporize rapidly – similar to how a magnifying glass concentrates sunlight to ignite objects at its focal point. Compared to lasers for other purposes, laser engravers typically have moderate power. For ease of operation and safety, they are designed as fully enclosed, integrated units.
Based on processing principles, engraving/cutting machines can be categorized as mechanical engravers, laser engravers, sandblasting engravers, and waterjet cutters. The same laser engraver can often both engrave and cut through relatively thin sheets.
Summarizing the key advantages of laser engravers over mechanical engravers:
a. Faster and more efficient than mechanical engraving.
b. More precise, capable of engraving complex images and patterns.
c. Narrow kerf and minimal distortion when cutting 3D letters; acrylic letters have no burrs and require no polishing.
d. Can engrave and cut special materials like glass, leather, and rubber foam boards.
e. No special fixturing required for the workpiece.
Compared to traditional methods, lasers offer many advantages. Firstly, laser engraving or marking is non-contact, eliminating tool wear associated with traditional engraving. This also reduces potential defects. Laser markings are permanent, clean, and clear. Although finding optimal parameters through trial and error can sometimes be time-consuming, laser engraving is generally much faster than traditional mechanical engraving. Due to its fundamentally different principle, laser technology can engrave many materials that traditional methods cannot, including wood and rubber.
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