It is important to understand fiber laser marker settings to achieve precision, efficiency, and compatibility when engraving and marking materials. Quality, compliance, and productivity rely on the correct setup for lasers to work well with materials. The engraver can work on different things, such as electronic parts and car pieces. This helps save resources and ensures safety rules are followed.
Master these settings to maximize the capacities and gains of fiber laser technology in contemporary industrial procedures. Let’s discuss how to set up your fiber laser marking machine for the best results.
How to Work with a Fiber Laser Marking Machine?
Choosing the Right Materials
- Metals: Fiber lasers excel with metals like stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper, which are ideal for creating high-contrast, permanent marks.
- Plastics: Not all plastics are suitable for laser engraving, as some may melt or burn. Focus on laser-friendly plastics like ABS, PE, and PVC, which respond well to laser energy.
Fiber laser marking process:
- Turn on the machine: After turning the machine on, make sure there is no interference from other electronic devices.
- Material Placement: Place the material on the table. Secure it in place to prevent it from moving. This will help avoid any distortion in the image while marking.
- Adjust the focal length: Make sure to adjust the focal length correctly to achieve clear results. Incorrect adjustment can result in reduced power and unclear marking.
- Input content: Enter the content you want to mark in the software, then adjust the settings like power and speed.
- Start marking: Check the preview and red light position to make sure the marking is accurate before starting the process.
- Checking and cleaning: After engraving, inspect the mark and clean off any leftover debris from the process.
Fiber Laser Frequency Settings- Different Material Cases
Fiber Laser Engraving Settings:
Typically, frequencies between 20 kHz to 80 kHz are used depending on the material and the depth of engraving required. Higher frequencies are suitable for finer details and surface markings, while lower frequencies are better for deeper engravings.
Fiber Laser Deep Engraving Settings
1. Set Power to 100%, Speed to 1500mm/s, Angle to 90, Freq to 35, Hatch to 1, Loop to 25, Line Space to 0.02.
2. Set Power to 100%, Speed to 1500mm/s, Angle to 180, Freq to 35, Hatch to 1, Loop to 25, Line Space to 0.02.
3. Set Power to 100%, Speed to 2000mm/s, Angle to 315, Freq to 35, Hatch to 1, Loop to 25, Line Space to 0.02.
Before you start marking, you can test it on waste material so that you can choose a setting that makes you happy.
Mopa Fiber Laser Settings
The mopa laser marking machine can mark stainless steel with colorful marks by adjusting the parameters. If you want to mark stainless steel with red, blue, or green, how should you set the machine? Please read on.
1.Red on stainless steel: Set the power to 45%, speed set to 1000mm/s, angle set to 0, Pulse set to 60ns, Freq set to 400, Hatch set to 1, Line Space set to 0.003. 2.
2. Blue on stainless steel: Set Power to 45%, Speed to 1000mm/s, Angle to 0, Pulse to 6ns, Freq to 300, Hatch to 1, Line Space to 0.002.
3. Green on stainless steel: Set Power to 25%, Speed to 1000mm/s, Pulse to 15ns, Freq to 350, Hatch to 1, Line Space to 0.001.
Fiber Laser Settings for Stainless Steel:
Both 30W and 50W fiber laser marking machines can mark stainless steel. Usually, use a 30W fiber laser marking machine to mark stainless steel.
If you want to use a 30W fiber laser to mark a black result on stainless steel, then you should set the power to 50%, the speed to 300mm/s, the angle to 552, the Freq to 30, the Hatch set to 1, the Loop to 0, the Line Space to 0.01, and Lens Type to 150mm.
Fiber Laser Settings for Aluminum
If you want to use a 30W fiber laser to mark white results on aluminum, then your fiber laser marker settings need to be changed.
Then you should set the power to 100%, speed to 2000mm/s, angle to 90, Freq to 55, Hatch to 1, Loop to 1, Line Space to 0.03.
Fiber Laser Settings for Plastic
If you want to use a 30W fiber laser to mark on ABS plastic.
You should set the power to 30%, the speed to 500mm/s, the angle to 0, the Freq to 30, the Hatch to 1, the Loop to 1, the Line Space to 0.03, and the Lens Type to 210mm. Then you will get a clear result.
Fiber Laser Copper Settings
If you want to use a 30W fiber laser to mark black on brass.
Then you should set the power to 100%, speed to 200mm/s, angle to 0, Freq to 45, Hatch to 1, Loop to 1, Line Space to 0.001, Lens Type to 70mm.
Different applications and substances are governed by these settings. Settings may need to be changed to cater to individual needs. The main reason for these adjustments is the ability to match different materials.
Furthermore, this enables the best operation of the laser machine. It is always better to try small-scale testing before going into full production, so that the configuration can be fine-tuned for optimum results.
What Tips do you need to know about Fiber Laser Engraving Settings？
Here are some exclusive setup tips from the page on fiber laser engraving:
Power vs Speed Optimization:
It’s crucial to balance the power and speed settings to achieve the desired engraving effect. For example, if you’re marking a piece of steel, and the first mark comes out shallow, you can try increasing the power output and slowing down the marking speed, and if you find that it’s overly burned, you can try increasing the power output or decreasing the speed.
If you find that the mark is over-burned, you can try to increase the power output or decrease the power output. Experiment with different power and speed settings to find the best setting for different materials.
Frequency Adjustments:
The frequency of the laser impacts the finish of the engraving. Higher frequencies are good for detailed markings, while lower frequencies are better for deeper engravings. Changing the frequency is like using different types of sandpaper, which can give you either a smooth or rough finish.
Line Space and Line Type:
Different Line types and Line spacing will affect the depth of the marking result and the marking speed. Usually, we set the filling data, that is, line spacing is around 0.05mm, through the different filling density and filling line shape settings test to achieve your expected engraving results.
Using MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) Settings:
A MOPA fiber laser makes it easy to adjust settings such as pulse duration, which is measured in nanoseconds (ns). This allows for precise engraving on materials like stainless steel and aluminum.
Short pulses work well for marking thin materials precisely. Longer pulses are more effective for engraving deeply and transferring heat more strongly.
To change the color of stainless steel, use shorter pulses for light blue and longer pulses for deep black. Shorter pulses should be around 20 milliseconds. Longer pulses should be around 200 milliseconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the correct fiber laser settings so important?
Correct fiber laser settings are crucial for achieving high-quality results. They ensure precision, efficiency, and material compatibility. Proper setup is essential for maintaining productivity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and preventing waste of materials, whether you are working on industrial parts or delicate electronics.
What is the basic process for using a fiber laser marking machine?
The basic workflow involves six steps:
- Turn on the machine and ensure a stable environment.
- Securely place the material on the worktable.
- Adjust the laser’s focal length for a clear mark.
- Input your design and adjust parameters like power and speed in the software.
- Use the red light preview to check positioning before starting.
- After marking, inspect the result and clean off any debris.
How does the laser frequency setting affect the engraving result?
The frequency (measured in kHz) directly impacts the finish of the mark. A higher frequency (e.g., up to 80 kHz) is best for fine details and smooth surface marking. A lower frequency (e.g., 20-35 kHz) produces a more powerful pulse, which is ideal for achieving deeper engravings on metals.
Can a fiber laser engrave in color on stainless steel?
Yes, this is possible with a MOPA fiber laser. By precisely adjusting the parameters, such as pulse duration and frequency, a MOPA laser can create a range of colors—like red, blue, and green—on stainless steel surfaces.
What is the best way to balance the power and speed settings?
Balancing power and speed is key to getting the desired result. If a mark is too shallow, you can increase the power or decrease the speed. If the material is burning or the mark is too aggressive, you should decrease the power or increase the speed. It’s always best to test on a scrap piece of material first.
How do I achieve a deep engraving on metal with a fiber laser?
To achieve deep engraving, you typically need to set the laser to a high power (100%), use a lower frequency (around 35 kHz), and set the machine to perform multiple passes (loops) over the same area. This repeatedly removes layers of material to create a deep mark.
What are some typical settings for marking on common materials like aluminum or plastic?
Settings vary greatly, but here are starting points for a 30W laser:
- For a white mark on aluminum: Set power to 100% and speed to 2000mm/s with a frequency of 55 kHz.
- For a clear mark on ABS plastic: Set power to 30% and speed to 500mm/s with a frequency of 30 kHz.
What materials are best suited for fiber laser marking?
Fiber lasers are extremely effective on almost all metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper, where they create high-contrast, permanent marks. They also work well on specific laser-friendly plastics like ABS, PE, and PVC, which respond well to the laser’s energy without melting or burning.
