How long does laser etching last?

Just like laser engraving, laser etching can also last a long time. However, laser etching is generally shallower than laser engraving and can easily scratch under abrasive conditions. Using the correct laser parameters and preventing etching under abrasive conditions ensures a long lifetime of the etched surface.
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Can diode lasers produce durable engravings on metal?
Yes, high power diode lasers can produce durable engravings on metal. The wavelengths of diode lasers are easily absorbed by metals and non-metals, so they can be used to engrave both.
However, diode lasers often offer low-power options, making them incapable of deep engraving on metal surfaces. Therefore, metal engravings produced by diode lasers are not suitable for abrasive conditions.
Laser engraver
Does grinding remove nicks from the workpiece surface?
No, grinding will not remove nicks on the surface of the workpiece.
However, it reduces durability by reducing the depth of engraving. In addition, grinding can remove marks created by laser etching and laser marking. Therefore, grinding the workpiece is only recommended for deep laser engraving.
Best Fiber Laser Engravers and Cutters
Fiber lasers are revolutionizing the laser metal cutting industry with their low maintenance costs and higher cutting efficiency.
They are most effective when used to engrave and cut metals such as copper, aluminum and brass.
Fine laser pointers in fiber lasers facilitate high-precision engraving.
Notably, when used on the correct material, they are much safer than CO2 lasers.
Fiber lasers are widely used for engraving on metals because they can engrave more efficiently than regular CO2 lasers.
In this article, I have listed the best fiber laser engravers and cutters on the market with a detailed overview.
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What is a fiber laser?
Fiber lasers are solid-state lasers that are widely used in laser marking and engraving machines. The main difference between fiber lasers and CO2 lasers is their ability to laser cut sheet metal.
Unlike CO2 lasers, fiber lasers consume much less energy, operate at shorter wavelengths, between 780 nm and 2200 nm, and have higher absorption rates.
This means that when materials such as metals are used that reflect the laser beam, they absorb the fiber laser at a much higher rate than the laser produced by the CO2 laser.
Although fiber lasers are solid-state lasers, fiber lasers differ significantly from diode lasers in their capabilities.
One thing to note is that when using fiber lasers, there are limits to the size of your table and the range of materials you can cut.
Fiber lasers have a small focal point, so using them to cut thick materials is impractical. In this case, a CO2 laser is the best choice.
Due to the small focal point of the fiber laser, you can do very detailed engraving.
Atomstack M4 Fiber
With the addition of galvanometers, they can also work at very high speeds. The vibrating head is usually used in portable laser engravers.
Engraving applications are where fiber lasers shine. It can mark, etch and engrave metal at incredible speeds.
A special type of fiber laser, called a MOPA fiber laser, provides better control of the pulse width and frequency parameters to produce colored laser engravings on metals.
At the heart of fiber lasers is the laser source, they do not have any gaseous medium like CO2 lasers.
In fiber lasers, a high-power laser diode is used to stimulate the active medium with a laser-pumped fiber at the source.
The resulting laser beam is then amplified and fed to the cutting head using flexible optical fibers.
With the rise of fiber optics, fiber lasers also eliminate the need for mirrors and beam paths for alignment.
Finally, the laser beam is shaped using a focusing lens on the cutting head and projected onto the workpiece.
One of the great advantages of using fiber lasers is their long life and maintenance-free.
You must choose the laser based on the specific application you intend to use.
If you are looking to laser cut/engrave aluminum, brass and other metal workpieces, fiber lasers are the best choice.