| find out about the features and functions of laser | | | | onto wood, rubber, or any carbon-based materials to |
| engravers, what applications the machines support, | | | | create stencils, which can then be used in |
| and how they can be used alongside | | | | screen-printing applications. the laser engraver also can |
| thescreen-printing process.laser engraving systems | | | | be used to cut printed images.another creative use of |
| can be a valuable and profitable addition to any | | | | the laser engraver involves 3d engraving and then |
| screen-printing shop, giving screen printers the | | | | running the engraved piece though a flatbed printer. this |
| opportunity to decorate materials and substrates that | | | | will give the engraved piece color, depth, and a unique |
| they might not have previously considered or that their | | | | look.co2 lasers can mark on a variety of materials, |
| existing equipment could not support. laser cutting and | | | | such as acrylics, leathers, fabrics, denim, marble, rubber, |
| engraving systems can be used on a variety of | | | | and most plastics(figure 2). however, the laser cannot |
| materials. however, identifying potential applications can | | | | mark or cut metallic materials. this is because the laser |
| be a challenge. this article will discuss how these | | | | beam will reflect directly off of metal surfaces, with no |
| devices work and the benefits that they can bring to | | | | effect to the material at all. but if the metal is painted, |
| screen-printing operations. | | | | coated, or anodized, the laser will remove the top layer |
| The technologymost engravers use co2-charged | | | | to expose the metal underneath. the result is a sharp, |
| lasers to produce precise and detailed images at a | | | | crisp marking that is ideal for plaques and |
| very high speed. they are commonly referred to as xy | | | | trophies.figure 2 applications for laser engravinglaser |
| laser systems or cabinet lasers, in reference to the x | | | | engraving systems can be used to etch the surface |
| rail and y rail assemblies along which the laser moves | | | | of various materials, as well as ablate coatings from |
| and the fact that the system is enclosed (figure 1). the | | | | substrate surfaces. depending on the material |
| overall throughput of the machine greatly depends on | | | | thickness and laser power, some also may support |
| the power output (wattage), the speed, which is | | | | complete through cutting and contour cutting of printed |
| measured in in./sec (ips), and, most importantly, the | | | | images.laser engravers are typically equipped with a |
| acceleration of the engraving motion of the | | | | windows-based driver. users can choose their own |
| machine.some lasers on the market specialize in one | | | | graphics-editing programs. most laser engravers |
| function over another. for example, one system is | | | | function simply as a printer, so no special software is |
| specially designed to vector cut materials up to 1.5 in. | | | | required. graphics programs that are commonly used |
| thick and has a large table size, which makes it suitable | | | | to edit images for laser engraving include coreldraw, |
| for someone who mainly does a lot of cutting. for | | | | autocad, adobe illustrator, and adobe photoshop. you |
| most businesses, it s important to have a machine that | | | | should use the software that you prefer, but it should |
| can handle as many different jobs as possible. | | | | be able to work effectively with the file types you |
| therefore, using a laser that can raster engrave on | | | | commonly use. some programs may work great with |
| marble and then vector cut acrylic is vital to those who | | | | bitmap images but cannot process vector images. |
| must maximize their resources. | | | | other applications written specifically for laser |
| figure 1 laser engraving equipmentco2 laser | | | | engraving may also be used.some systems offer the |
| engravers can be used to decorate a variety of | | | | capability to contour cut printed graphics based on the |
| materials, including acrylics, leathers, fabrics, marble, | | | | original digital design file. these systems use an |
| rubber, and most plastics. industrial lasers, including | | | | integrated camera to recognize the contour lines of an |
| nd+:yag and nd+:yv04 systems, can be used to mark | | | | image and cut them out. some laser engravers offer |
| raw metals.the co2 laser is the most common system | | | | an optional ccd camera module that allows users to do |
| in the engraving market because it can cut and | | | | precise contour cutting. using a laser for cutting really |
| engrave on acrylics, wood, marble, leather, fabrics, | | | | opens up a whole new world of possibilities. not only |
| plastics, and even anodized or coated metals. within | | | | will you be able to contour cut, but you also will be able |
| the co2 segment, there are metal and glass co2 tubes; | | | | to vector cut around the details of an image or even |
| each with its own advantages.glass tubes tend to | | | | engrave into the material as well. by using a laser, you |
| work great for vector cutting and, at the same time, | | | | are not restricted to outside perimeter contour cutting |
| produce smooth, clean raster images. glass tubes, | | | | alone.several laser engravers feature exclusive |
| which include a glass housing filled with the co2 | | | | functions, such as 3d engraving, which allows the user |
| element, tend to exhibit less pulsing than metal tubes. | | | | to engrave deep into wood or acrylic, resulting in a |
| because the power fluctuation is minimized, vector | | | | multidimensional effect(figure 3). other functions include |
| cuts come out cleaner, and raster images show less | | | | stamp mode for creating rubber stamps and rotary |
| traces of banding. as great as this sounds, the major | | | | attachments to engrave on cylindrical objects such as |
| drawback of glass tubes is the fact that the lifespan is | | | | mugs or vases. also, systems designed with front and |
| much shorter than metal tubes. so the cost of owning | | | | rear pass-through doors offer virtually unlimited height, |
| a machine with a glass tube goes way up as you | | | | enabling users to take on jobs that they might have |
| must frequently replace the laser tube. a related | | | | otherwise turned away. this feature is ideal for those |
| concern is the machine downtime that occurs when a | | | | who wish to engrave on long objects, such as baseball |
| tube must be replaced.metal tubes, on the other hand, | | | | bats, gun stocks, and wood paneling.figure 3 engraving |
| do tend to exhibit power fluctuations and pulsing. still, | | | | in three dimensionssome laser engraving systems |
| adjusting raster and resolution settings can yield very | | | | support 3d engraving on various materials. this function |
| professional, clean raster images and vector cuts. the | | | | allows users to create rubbers stamps and decorate |
| major attraction of a metal laser tube is its lifespan. the | | | | cylindrical objects.important considerationsscreen |
| average life is 20,000-35,000 hours of use. that | | | | printers should keep a few things in mind when |
| amounts to eight hours a day at 100% power, seven | | | | investigating laser cutting or engraving systems for |
| days a week, for seven years, if the tube only lasts | | | | their shops. first, test the system s engraving or cutting |
| for 20,000 hours. but the tube will often last longer than | | | | quality. with so many laser engraving systems on the |
| that.also available are nd+:yag and nd+:yv04 lasers. | | | | market, it can be difficult to choose the one that best |
| these lasers are geared to those who wish to mark | | | | fits your needs. also, many people wish to shop around |
| on raw (uncoated) metals; as such, they re usually | | | | for the lowest price. although buying a low-cost laser |
| found in manufacturing and high-end technology | | | | may be good for your wallet, it may not be the best |
| companies. these lasers operate differently from the | | | | decision in the long run. keep in mind that not all |
| standard xy laser systems in that they utilize a galvo | | | | machines are created equal, and as the old adage |
| lens to direct the laser beam. because of this setup, | | | | goes, you get what you pay for.the main things to |
| the laser can engrave much faster than an xy system; | | | | consider when assessing a laser engraver include the |
| however, the working area is usually much smaller.to | | | | motors, rail system, driver, and laser tube, as well as |
| use any of these systems, the operator first creates | | | | the technical service and warranty offered by the |
| or imports an image to a standard graphic design | | | | manufacturer. the motors on a laser engraving system |
| program. once the image is prepared, the operator | | | | are vital in making precise cuts. if a motor loses its |
| uses the program sprint command to open the driver | | | | place, it can ruin an engraving job, especially if a job |
| for the engraver, which opens additional option fields | | | | requires multiple passes over the same area. dc servo |
| for engraving the image.the capabilities and options of | | | | motors are best and provide consistent and accurate |
| the laser engraver greatly depend on the driver. at this | | | | cuts.the rail system must provide smooth and |
| stage, the user can select the raster style and | | | | frictionless movement. some systems employ a |
| resolution, set the home position, and adjust power and | | | | low-maintenance motion linear bearing system to |
| speed settings. some drivers even allow users to | | | | ensure effortless and smooth operation. the driver is |
| adjust the pitch and sharpness of engraved edges for | | | | another critical component that determines the flexibility |
| applications such as rubber stamps. the user then | | | | and functionality of the equipment. the driver should be |
| inserts the substrate into the machine, typically into the | | | | easy to navigate and operate. the more features it |
| top left corner of the table, which is commonly used as | | | | offers, the more options and control you have over |
| the home position and is the starting point of the laser. | | | | your work. finally, remember that the laser tube is the |
| after focusing the laser on the material (most | | | | heart and soul of any laser engraver. make sure that |
| machines offer an auto-focus function), the user | | | | the tube is from a reputable source. stay far way |
| pushes the start button and the laser fires | | | | from off-brand tubes.one of the most overlooked |
| away.multiple capabilitiesmost systems are capable of | | | | aspects of owning a laser engraver is technical |
| performing cutting and engraving functions. when | | | | support. laser engravers are very complicated pieces |
| choosing a laser, it s important to consider which of the | | | | of equipment. if a part were to fail, who would you turn |
| two functions you will need most frequently, because | | | | to for assistance? make sure your dealer will be able |
| some systems may perform one function better than | | | | to assist you in case you are ever in need of service. |
| the other. wattage plays a big role in how well the | | | | also check to see what kind of warranty the |
| machine will work. when it comes to photo engraving, | | | | manufacturer offers. some warranties are longer than |
| a 30- or 40-watt laser usually will suffice. however, | | | | others. find out the length of the warranty and |
| when it comes to cutting, particularly with thick | | | | determine precisely what it covers. wear-and-tear |
| materials, you may consider a laser ranging from | | | | items usually are not included in the warranty, so be |
| 60-100 watts, or even 200 watts. you ll need more | | | | sure to check the price of replacement |
| power to cut completely through material, whereas in | | | | parts.considerations should focus on more than just |
| engraving you are cutting to a depth of only a few | | | | price, features, and warranty. also ask yourself the |
| millimeters.the use of a higher wattage machine | | | | following questions: is the output precise enough to be |
| certainly opens more doors. not only will you be able to | | | | used for producing stencils? do we need better output |
| cut or engrave more materials, but you will also do so | | | | quality? is the output quality consistent? are there any |
| much more quickly and cleanly than you would with | | | | hidden costs for training and maintenance? will there |
| lower wattage machines. therefore, when purchasing | | | | be any chemical reactions with the materials that we |
| a new laser engraver, consider purchasing one that | | | | plan to process? harmful chemical byproducts may |
| has a higher wattage than what you think you might | | | | damage the machine and harm the operator. these |
| need. this will give you room to expand and take on | | | | byproducts can be created when working with |
| jobs that you may not have been able to complete | | | | materials such as pvc or teflon.in the end, just be sure |
| with a lower powered laser. purchasing a machine with | | | | to research and do your homework. a laser engraving |
| room to grow is simpler and typically less expensive | | | | system is one of the best investments you can make |
| than trying to upgrade your machine to a higher | | | | for your business. as long as you know what your |
| wattage down the line.opportunities for screen | | | | needs are and understand what the system can and |
| printerslaser engraving systems allow users to etch | | | | cannot do, you ll be on your way to a future of |
| very fine and detailed graphics (including 4-pt type) | | | | profitable laser cutting and engraving. |