If you are on a mission to take your business to the next level, a fiber laser engraver can be the next wonder for you. Such a tool can create intricate and precise designs on a huge number of materials, including metal, plastic, or even on leather. With higher power lasers, you can create deep relief engraving on metals, with a rotary attachment, you can mark names and signs on cups, tumblers, rings and bracelets, with the MOPA laser source, you can etch colorful graphics on stainless steel, titanium and chromium, with an online flying marking systsem, you can realize automatic printing in batch processing.
But the situation becomes a bit complicated when you search for one and you find so many overwhelming options to choose from.
If such is the scenario, welcome to this buying guide on your desired topic. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to boost your business, an artist seeking new ways to express your creativity, or simply someone who enjoys DIY projects, this article will be a good guideline for your next purchase.
Definition
A fiber laser marking machine is a new type of automatic engraver that uses fiber laser beam to etch a permanent mark on 2D & 3D surfaces of metals, nonmetals and metalloids for beginners and professionals, which is used for small business, small shop, home use, home business, school education, commercial use, and industrial manufacturing. It uses a high-energy 1064nm laser beam to remove excess parts on the surface of the substrate and engrave permanent photos, patterns, or text. Its professional for fine metal engraving with high precision, high quality, and high speed. With a rotary attachment, it can etch on cylinders such as pens, rings, tools, cups, mugs, and tumblers. With the MOPA laser source, color engraving can be performed on stainless steel and titanium. The higher laser power allows deep engraving of metals and even cutting of thin metals.
What are the advantages of a fiber laser engraver over other marking tools?
One of the main reasons why a fiber laser engraver remains superior to most other marking tools is because they are extremely precise and accurate. From engraving very smaller texts to a very intricate design, these machines can do it all with a high rate of accuracy. As a result, these tools are heavily used in the jewelry, medical, and electronics industries. Another reason why these laser engravers are advantageous over other equivalent tools is that they can bring out accurate designs on a large number of materials, including metals, plastics, glass, leather, wood, and more. Last but not the least, these machines are faster than almost all other traditional etching tools, which allows them to remain on the Wishlist of almost all designers.
Working Principle
A fiber laser engraver is an automatic marking tool with fiber laser beam for relief engraving, deep engraving, rotary engraving, and color engraving to create any graphics on the surfaces of metals and nonmetals. It is composed of bed frame, laser generator, power supply, computer control system, field lens scanning system, galvanometer scanning system, engraving head, beam combiner, focusing system, controller software, control card, red light indicator, power filter, and more parts & accessories. The generator emits a beam to galvanometer scanning mirror. Combined with marking software, the generator and scanning galvanometer will start to engrave permanent patterns, texts, photos, or your custom designs on the surface of an object.
The working principle is that a beam with extremely high energy density is irradiated to the surface of the substrate to be marked under the control of a computer, and the desired pattern or text is ablated.
Optical fiber lasers have become a hot topic in laser physics research in recent years. The generator is composed of a working medium and a pump source enclosed in a pump cavity. The pump source "pumps" the working medium from the energy ground state to the excited state.
The generator introduces the 1064nm high-power laser directly into the processing surface through a soft single-mode fiber with a sheath, and the spot size after collimation and focusing reaches tens of microns or less, which is close to the diffraction limit. It can be used for marking, etching, burning, printing, or engraving various materials.
Specifications
Brand | STYLECNC |
Laser Source | Fiber Laser |
Laser Generator | IPG, Raycus, JPT |
Laser Wavelength | 1064 nm |
Laser Power | 20W, 30W, 50W, 60W, 70W, 100W |
Marking Materials | Metals, Nonmetals, Metalloids |
Types | Handheld, Portable, Desktop, Mini, 3D, MOPA, Flying |
Price Range | $3,500.00 - $28,500.00 |
How Much Does It Cost?
If you want to buy an optical fiber laser engraving machine, you may wonder how much does it cost? how to get a final price?
Based on different features and configurations, you will get a fiber laser engraver from $3,500.00 up to $28,500.00. The 20W laser costs from $2,600.00 up to $6,800.00. The 30W laser costs from $2,900.00 up to $9,800.00. The 50W laser costs from $3,800.00 up to $11,800.00. The 60W lasers cost from $5,200.00 up to $12,800.00. The 100W lasers cost from $19,800.00 up to $22,000.00. The costs of MOPA types start from $4,200.00. The prices of 3D types start from $8,000.00. The mini handheld types are priced from $3,000.00 to $9,000.00. The portable types are priced from $2,800.00 to $8,800.00. The desktop types are priced from $2,900.00 to $13,800.00. The industrial online flying types are priced from $2,600.00 to $5,600.00. If you have an idea to buy a fiber laser marking machine overseas, the fee of customs clearance, tax, and shipping costs should be included in the final price.
Parts & Accessories
A laser etcher uses the light beam as the medium, which features with good heat dissipation, high power, and fast speed. It uses an air-cooled laser diode as a pump source, which enables pulsed and continuous engraving, and is easy to use. However, do you know how many parts & accessories are needed to assemble it?
1. The laser generator is the component that generates the light beam, which uses a rare-earth-doped glass fiber as the gain medium, so it is the core part of the engraver. It is used in a wide range of applications including marking, engraving, etching, cutting, welding and cleaning. The most common fiber laser brands on the market are JPT, Raycus and IPG.
2. The galvanometer is designed according to the ammeter, and the lens is used instead of the needle. The most common galvanometer is the 10mm spot.
3. Field lens is also known as F-θ lens, scanning lens, focusing lens or scanning lens, which is used to focus the light beam from the galvanometer on a plane.
Tips: When purchasing field lens, you should pay attention to indicating the marking range, and determine according to your own needs.
4. The marking card is also known as the control card, which is used to convert the text or pattern designed in the computer into analog signals or digital signals, and then transmit them to the galvanometer.
5. The red light indicator (red light pen) is used to indicate the light path and is installed in the red light beam combining frame.
6. The beam combiner (laser combiner) is used to overlap the visible 650nm laser with the invisible 1064nm laser, so the light of 1064nm is at the position indicated by the red light of 650nm.
7. If an engraver is compared to a house, then the control cabinet is the frame of the house, and all other accessories are installed in the house.
8. The industrial computer is a common PC in the market. Because the marking card adopts a USB interface, you can also use a laptop as an industrial computer, which is an important reason why it can be made into a portable engraver.
In addition to those listed above, there are also power supplies, master power control boxes, red beam combiner frames, and some optional accessories such as rotary attachment, XY moving table, conveyor belt.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Typically, a laser marking system consists primarily of a highly flexible, controllable laser source coupled to a high-speed, precise motion system through software and hardware. In addition to being able to engrave, it also has machining capabilities such as cutting, drilling, polishing, scribing, and scraping.
Compared with the inkjet method, the laser marking system is more environmentally friendly and economical. The long-lasting marking will not be easily erased. The non-contact and non-destructive marking will not damage the substrate. The printing accuracy is precision. The long service life is more than 100,000 hours with continuous engraving. The cutting speed is high with low operationg costs, and a 2D code can be completed in less than 1 second. There is no obvious touch on the top, manual operation is easy and fool-like engraving.
1. Fiber laser technology will meet a variety of metal and non-metal materials. In particular, it is more advantageous to mark materials with high hardness, high melting point, and brittleness.
2. It is a non-contact engraving tool with good marking quality, no damage to the substrate, no mechanical tools required.
3. The light beam is thin, the marking material consumption is small, and the marking heat-affected zone is small.
4. High engraving efficiency, high speed, computer control, easy to use and realize automation.
5. The best way to engrave metals without mechanical tools.
6. Low operating costs with higher cutting speeds.
Cons
The marking area is too small to do large-format engraving, and it is not as professional as CO2 laser in marking non-metals such as wood, cloth, plastic, acrylic, glass, crystal.
Novices or beginners like to stare at the marking process. Long-term staring is harmful to the eyes and tingling. Most manufacturers will provide appropriate eye protection glasses. The harmful element (ZnSe) in the focusing lens should not be in constant contact with the lens. The discarded lens should be specially disposed of, and should not be thrown away.
Applications
Fiber laser marking machines are used in all walks of life, as long as they need to be marked. They can etch any texts and patterns on stainless steel, aluminium, silver, gold, titanium, platinum, tungsten, brass, carbide, chrome, nickel, copper, plastic, polymer, silicon, rubber, ABS, PBT, PS, fiberglass, leather, ceramic, carbon fiber, tungsten, carbide, and other materials.
From an industry perspective, these types of engravers are widely used in computer accessories, integrated circuit chips, clocks and watches, industrial bearings, electronic components, auto parts, aerospace devices, home appliances, molds, wires and cables, hardware tools, food graphic and text markings in jewelry, packaging, credit card, military, tobacco, and more fields, as well as industrial mass production, assembly line production, and high-end ultra-fine printing.
From a functional point of view, it can do:
1. Black Marking on Alumina.
This adopts MOPA laser generator with an adjustable pulse width to mark black on alumina.
2. Color Engraving on Metal.
This requires some adjustments and attempts on the parameters according to the material. Various colors can be printed on stainless steel.
3. Black Marking on Metal.
Not to mention this, it's almost the same as the second point.
4. Online Flying Marking.
What does this mean, that is to combine the engraver with the assembly line, marking while feeding, so that we can greatly improve our work efficiency for production lines, for some needs to be placed on the assembly line marking is an absolute boon for marking items that are generally inconvenient to move manually.
5. Portable Marking.
This type of engraver is small and does not take up space, which can meet the basic marking needs. For customers with low marking requirements, the portable marking machine is very suitable.
In general, fiber etchers are loved by all walks of life for its price and usage cost, efficient production capacity, and powerful functions. I believe that in the near future, the marking opportunities will be more popular. The industry is even accepted and applied by the general public.
How To Use?
Nowadays, more and more people are beginning to understand and use optical fiber laser engraver in various industries. But for people who are new to this type of engraver, they may not even be able to operate the most basic "turn on" operation. Although most manufacturers can provide machine training, there are some who do not provide training, or are workers who have been transferred to the position of operating this equipment, so let me explain the most basic operation method for everyone.
Just enter the text or pattern to be marked in the software of the engraving system, confirm the size of the marking, the running speed of the light beam and the number of repetitions so that the engraver can mark a beautiful pattern. We can design 2D codes and barcodes for the patterns required in marking, or import them through digital cameras and scanners. Of course, we can also download floor plans from the internet. Use these patterns to convert into digital signals, and then convert them into current control signals after CNC programming and calculation, and then input them into the driver to form the corresponding control signals and control the high-precision servo motor operation through the D/A card, and then control the X-direction and Y-direction separately. The galvo mirror deflects the viewpoint to engrave the desired pattern.
Step 1. Turn on the main control box of the machine.
1.1. Correctly connect the laser and control card and power supply, turn on the power switch.
1.2. Turn on the key switch of the main control box.
1.3. Ensure that the emergency stop switch is not turned on (that is, the switch bounces up, which is a self-closing state).
1.4. Turn on the power switch of the control box.
1.5. Start the computer and turn on the computer monitor.
1.6. Start the power switch of the control galvanometer.
1.7. Start the red light switch.
1.8. Open the software in the computer to adjust the relevant parameters of the software for marking. At this time, ensure the working focal length (that is, the distance from the working to the marking head).
It should be noted that if you do not turn on the key switch of the control box first, the galvanometer and the red light will not respond if you press it.
Step 2. Brief guide of software adjustment.
2.1. Generally, when using the machine, the user only needs to adjust the "speed"/"current"/"frequency" in the parameter column.
2.2. Marking Speed: the speed required by the user.
2.3. Power: Set the percentage power from 1% to 100% adjustable by software.
2.4. Frequency: Set the laser output frequency to 10 to 100 KHZ through the software.
How To Buy?
When you are considering to purchase a new or used fiber laser engraver from the internet, you need to make all the critical steps in your online buying process from the researching & shopping process. Here are 10 easy-to-follow steps on how to buy it online.
Step 1. Plan Your Budget.
Before you shop an engraver online or in any way, you should make a budget plan. It's hard to make your choice if you have no idea on what you can afford.
Step 2. Do Your Research.
After you plan your budget, you need to understand what is the right engraver for yourself? What will you use it to do? Once you assess your needs, you can compare different dealers and models by checking expert reviews online.
Step 3. Request A Consult.
You can consult with our sales manager online, and we will recommend the most suitable laser marker to you after being informed by your requirements.
Step 4. Get Free Quotation.
We will offer you with our detail quotation based on your consulted engraver. You will get the best specifications and the affordable price within your budget.
Step 5. Sign A Contract.
Both sides carefully evaluate and discuss all the details (technical parameters, specifications and business terms) of the order to exclude any misunderstanding. If you have no doubt, we will send you the PI (Proforma Invoice), and then we will sign a contract with you.
Step 6. Build Your Machine.
We will arrange the machine making as soon as receiving your signed sales contract and deposit. The latest news about building will be updated and informed to the buyer during the manufacturing.
Step 7. Inspection.
The whole production procedure will be under regular inspection and strict quality control. The complete machine will be inspected to make sure they can work very well before out of factory.
Step 8. Shipping.
Shipping will start as the terms in the contract after your confirmation. You can ask for transport information at any time.
Step 9. Custom Clearance.
We will supply and deliver all the necessary shipping documents to the buyer and ensure a smooth customs clearance.
Step 10. Support & Service.
We will offer professional technical support and free customer service by Phone, Email, Skype, WhatsApp, Online Live Chat, Remote Service. We also offer door-to-door service in some areas.
Buyer's Guide
A large number of factors are worth mentioning when it comes to purchasing an etching tool from the market. Power, engraving area, precision, speed, and ease of use are some of the most essential elements you will have to double-check in order to get balanced functional support from the tool.
At the same time, always ensure that you are doing a bit of research about the recent prices of the tool you are aiming to purchase. Doing so will allow you to get a hint about the amount that you will need to have to make the purchase.
Another crucial aspect that always comes as a handy fact to check is the manufacturer or brand from where you will make the purchase. Ensure that the supplier is trusted enough to deliver proper customer support in case you need them after making the purchase.
A trusted manufacturer will always respond whenever you will reach out to them.
Why should you choose from STYLECNC?
Quality, reliability, transparency, responsiveness, innovation, sustainability, and reputation are the key points that separate a trusted brand from other enterprises. We can tell you that STYLECNC always strives to deliver the best possible support in any situation, which is why we claim ourselves as trustworthy. You are always welcome to grab your next cutting solution from us to feel our service.
Care & Maintenance
A fiber laser engraving machine has a solid work table, high load-bearing capacity, and is sturdy and durable. The profile-type integrated lifting frame is strong and stable, and has strong seismic performance. It has strong versatility and is suitable for use in any industry. It has its own scale and ruler, and the marking and positioning are simple and accurate. It can realize continuous and uninterrupted marking in a large range.
The location environment of the machine should be clean, free of dust and oil, vibration and electromagnetic interference, and leave a certain space for operation and maintenance. The ambient temperature should be controlled at 5-35°C, and the humidity should not be greater than 65%, otherwise an air conditioner must be installed. The power supply capacity and wire of the machine must meet the equipment requirements, the voltage fluctuation should not be greater than 10%, and there should be a reliable grounding wire. Machines using cooling water should ensure that the water quality of the cooling water is clean. It is best to use pure distilled water or deionized water for cooling water, but for semiconductor lasers, pure distilled water should be used instead of deionized water, and the cooling water should be replaced once a month.
During operation, if the engraver can be well protected, its service life can also be extended. The following tips will help you to understand how to maintain it in daily use.
1. Scanner maintenance: Clean the guide rails with gasoline regularly, and add appropriate amount of lubricating oil after drying. It is recommended to do this work once every two weeks.
2. CNC controller maintenance: After turning off the power of the controller, open the outer cover of the box, and use clean air for friendship games to blow away the dust inside. Pay more attention to the dustproof work on the outside of the chassis.
3. Computer maintenance: After the computer runs for a long time, a large number of junk files will also be generated in the system. If it is accumulated for a long time without cleaning, it will directly affect the normal operation of the software.
4. It is necessary to ensure the air circulation around the machine to avoid the problem of overheating.
5. Do not move the machine while marking, as this will damage the service life of the engraver.
6. When the engraver fails to work, you need to turn off the power first to avoid problems with the power switch, resulting in unstable voltage or excessive current, and damage to components such as generators.
7. When the engraver is not in use, please cover it with a hood. Remember to cut off the power supply. It is recommended that the bottom of the machine be cushioned to prevent flooding.
8. After each marking project is completed, the workbench of the machine needs to be covered to prevent the lens from being contaminated and affecting the light beam, which will lead to insufficient laser energy and affect the quality of marking.
9. If the project that is engaged in laser marking will cause dust, it is best to equip a vacuum cleaner, because once the dust is attached to the focusing lens, it will affect the laser power and energy output, affect the quality of marking, and even cause the lens to break due to excessive heat absorption, so if you find that the marking effect is not good, you should check the problem of the lens first, and clean it once it is found to be contaminated.
In order to allow users to better use the engraver, and extend the service life of the engraving machine at the same time, inspection, care, and maintenance should be carried out on time.
Cautions
Laser is a kind of invisible light, which cannot irradiate the skin and eyes. During the operation, you must pay attention to safety and operate the machine according to the operating specifications. When the machine is working, if it fails, it is very dangerous. Novices must be trained by professionals before they can operate independently. In order to ensure safe operation and optical performance of the product, please follow the following items when using the fiber laser marking machine.
1. When using the laser marking machine, be sure to ensure the connection of the safety ground wire.
2. Before powering on the machine, please connect the 220V AC power correctly. Wrong voltage input may cause damage to the equipment.
3. People who use a pacemaker should not be close to the device. The magnetic field will be generated during the operation of the machine, which will affect the normal operation of the pacemaker. Do not stare into or touch the beam (with or without safety glasses). Glasses and other parts of the body should not come into contact with the laser output or diffuse reflection of the device, otherwise it may cause blindness or burns.
4. Keep the environment around the equipment dry. When the equipment is not working, turn off the power and operate the equipment with one hand as much as possible.
5. To prevent electric shock, non-professionals, please do not open the cover at will. Any maintenance and service should only be done by dedicated technicians.
6. During normal operation of the machine, no additional parts or items shall be added inside. Do not use the marking system with the sealing cover open.
7. Do not place liquid containers on the chassis, and prohibit any water source from approaching.
8. It is forbidden for non-professionals to disassemble, repair and modify equipment by themselves. There is high pressure inside, which is easy to cause harm to the human body. In case of failure, only professional technicians can disassemble the machine.
9. Do not damage the power cord and cable, and immediately turn off the power and stop running if you smell the peculiar smell;
10. The machine is not suitable for use in flammable and explosive places. It is forbidden to pile up flammable and explosive materials and sundries around the machine, and it is not allowed to place flammable and explosive materials on the light path or where the light beam may shine. Do not use it in places with volatile solvents such as alcohol and gasoline. Once the machine catches fire or explodes, be sure to cut off all power, and use carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.
Dorsett
From Australia
Posted on Jan 14, 2023
I have just received the STJ-50F. Worked out of the box and had no issues at all. Exactly the same as described. I puchased the latest model and the EZCAD software was included. Got the fiber laser engraver up and running with the software installed and my first engraving and cutting in about 30 minutes. Resulted in clear smooth edges and lines. Easy to use for a novice with the instructional videos. Great for the price and worth buying. Recommend getting the exhaust fan, which is a must have for indoor use.