Fiber laser marking machines, also known as laser markers, can set you back thousands of dollars at least. As a result, you'll get a higher level of precision, durability, and adaptability than with a standard laser engraver. But how do you choose the fiber laser engraver that best suits your needs?
In this article, we'll show you the best fiber laser engravers on the market right now, ranging from cheap units to high-end machines. Those unfamiliar with the technology will first understand what fiber laser engraving is, how it differs from other technologies, why it is superior, and what applications it can be used for.
What is a fiber laser marking machine?
When a laser engraving device is used, it projects a highly focused beam of energy onto the material being processed. The laser beam vaporizes the surface of the material, leaving permanent cracks or "marks" in the material's composition.
The laser beam is not projected directly onto the material through a laser diode in a fiber engraver, but first through the fiber and then onto the substrate. Optical fiber is a very thin, flexible and transparent glass rod.
The glass rod absorbs only a small amount of the laser beam reflected from the inside of the rod. As light travels through the fiber, it is bombarded with photons, creating a huge accumulation of energy in the system. This energy is then fed through a lens, where it is concentrated to precisely sculpt the engraved material.
What types of fiber lasers are there?
There are several types of fiber lasers. Each combines a laser source and its output, lens arrangement and laser characteristics. Therefore, many fiber lasers are available, each with unique advantages. Choosing the most appropriate technique is critical to achieving the best results.
The Laser source:
The laser source consists of optical fibers modified with rare earth elements to generate specific wavelengths at different frequencies. Knowing the laser source and its frequency allows you to quickly determine whether a fiber laser is suitable for a particular application. Let's look at some examples of this:
Since ytterbium-doped fiber lasers have a wavelength of 1064 nm, they are ideal for processing metals in their pristine state. Laserax fiber lasers for metal engraving and cleaning purposes are shown below.
Thulium-doped fiber lasers operate at a frequency of 1940 nm and are used in a variety of applications, including medical imaging and laser marking of plastic materials.
E-doped fiber lasers have a frequency of 1550 nm and are mainly used in the communications industry to transmit data. Although they provide us with high speed internet access and Voice over IP, they are not used for laser engraving operations.
Best Fiber Laser Engraver:
Using fiber laser technology to decorate and label items, rather than traditional layer-by-layer processes, makes the seemingly impossible possible. Down the page, here are our recommendations for the best fiber laser engravers you should consider buying in 2022.
Atomstack M4 Fiber 2-in-1 Laser Marking Machine