Faserlaser

Fiber lasers operate at around 1064 nm and mark metal directly, without marking spray. The devices differ in their source (standard or MOPA) and in their power. Some devices also include a diode source for wood and acrylic.

What 1064 nm changes
Metals absorb this wavelength significantly better than the blue light of a diode laser. Stainless steel, aluminum, and brass can be annealed and ablated with it, while anodized surfaces can be brightened by removing the coating. Wood and clear acrylic, on the other hand, react hardly at all, so a second source in the device is required.

MOPA or standard source
With MOPA sources, the pulse duration can be adjusted. This enables color marking on stainless steel as well as gentle engraving of thin sheets that would warp with a fixed pulse duration. Standard sources have a fixed pulse duration and cover annealing and ablation.

Galvo instead of gantry
The beam is deflected by two movable mirrors rather than by a moving axis. This results in very high marking speeds over a limited field. Larger workpieces are processed field by field, while round ones are handled with a rotary axis.

Protection during operation
The 1064 nm beam is invisible and reaches the retina without being blocked. Work is carried out in an enclosed housing or with safety glasses rated for the specified protection level for the wavelength range. Fine dust is produced during metal ablation and must be extracted.