A lot of our customers and potential customers would like to engrave on steel, copper, brass, aluminum and other alloys with no paste.
Right now you may use Cermark paste or Dry Lube Moly with MoS2.
We have started research looking for the best tool that can be used for that.
We are looking for a laser module that will fit our requirements.
Our first research showed us that CW lasers with 10-30 watt laser power output are not good for that.
Metal engraving requires pulsed energy being aimed in one spot – then the energy reaches kWatts.
When the energy has a very short pulse in nanoseconds for example then we use this equation:
The power P in watts (W) is equal to the energy E in joules (J), divided by the time period t in seconds (s):
P(W) = E(J) / t(s)
that is why when the impulse is very short we get the energy much higher during that impulse. That is why most DSPP lasers have kW of energy power output.
At the moment we have got a few offers from different laser suppliers.
1. CNILaser
| Specifications | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Focus length: 100mm Marking area:70*70mm
Focus length: 160mm Marking area:110*110mm
Focus length: 254mm Marking area:175*175mm
Datailed manual of FL-1064 with 2 signal lines(EN)
Manual of how to manufacture the marking machine with FL-1064
We looked, we studied the CNI proposal (it is identical to the Laserglow, which, most likely, it is simply resold).
It is clear that this laser has: a 50 watt or 100 watt laser line for pumping, an optical modulator, a second-harmonic conversion crystal, its cooling, and the driver of the laser itself. Among other things, there are doubts how effective the marking on metal can work on 5-10 watt. Usually, at such power, plastic is labeled. Metal marking starts from 30-50W, or the metal should be just black.
The smallest laser beam at focus point is about 57um,
Best focus length (working distance) is about 80mm.
These parameters are good for us.
Test report of 1064-10W
was made specially for Endurance lasers.
2. BWT Beijing, Ltd.
2.1. 976nm/10W, 105um/0.22NA，
This LD has the 200cm±10cm fiber
2.2. 1064nm wavelength laser diode.
Actually, this is the detachable output mode LD, usually, it used in the medical application.
Not likely that CW modules with this wavelength would wor for us.
3. Laserglow
MARK-OEM 1064nm LASER SOURCE
FOR LASER MARKING
MARK-OEM-1064_Data Sheet_Laserglow Technologies
(it is very likely that these guys do not produce laser modules but resell from CNILasers)
4. Beamqlaser
(Waiting for the offer)
5. laser-export
| Model | Wavelength, nm | Parameters | |||||
| Basic line | |||||||
| TECH-1053 Basic | 1053 | 500 µJ@1 kHz, pulse width < 10 ns | ТЕМ00, M2 < 1.2, 0 – 4 kHz, external/internal triggering, 24 ± 10% V | ||||
| TECH-527 Basic | 527 | 250 µJ@1 kHz, pulse width < 9 ns | |||||
| Express line | |||||||
| TECH-1053 Express | 1053 | 1000 µJ@1 kHz, pulse width < 7 ns | ТЕМ00, M2 < 1.2, 0 – 1 kHz, external/internal triggering, 24 ± 10% V | ||||
| TECH-527 Express | 527 | 500 µJ@1 kHz, pulse width < 7 ns | |||||
| Advanced line | |||||||
| TECH-1053 Advanced | 1053 | 800 µJ@4 kHz, pulse width < 10 ns | ТЕМ00, M2 < 1.2, 0 – 4 kHz, external/internal triggering, 24 ± 10% V | ||||
| TECH-527 Advanced | 527 | 400 µJ@4 kHz, pulse width < 9 ns | |||||
| DTL-series lasers GARNET line | |||
| DTL-324QT | 1064 | 100 µJ@1 kHz | Pulse width < 10 ns at 1 kHz, ТЕМ00, 0 – 30 kHz, external/internal triggering, 12 ± 10% V or 90 ÷ 264 V (with AC adapter) |
| DTL-314QT | 532 | 25 µJ@1 kHz | |
| DTL-375QT | 355 | 20 µJ@1 kHz | |
| GARNET | 355 | 20 µJ@200 – 2000 kHz, external triggering, model for ОЕМ | |
CONTINUOUS WAVE LASERS
DTL-series lasers
| Model | Wavelength, nm | Parameters | ||
| DTL-423 | 1053 | 300, 1000, 2000 and 2500 mW, noise level ≤ 0.5% RMS | ТЕМ00, PC control, Output power adjustment, 12 ± 10% V or 90 ÷ 264 V (with AC adapter) | |
| DTL-322 | 1064 | 300, 1000 and 2000 mW, noise level ≤ 0.5% RMS | ||
| DTL-413 | 527 | 200, 350, 500, 1000 and 1500 mW, noise level ≤ 5% RMS | ||
Quite detailed info however there are not tests or detailed manuals.
6. Teem Photonics
PNP-M08010
SNP-200P
PNx High Peak Power Powerchip Series rev1
SNV U high performance UV microchip rev1
SNP High Performance IR Microchip rev1
This solution seems to be VERY EXPENSIVE and it looks like for industrial production.
7. rpmclasers.com
Suggestion Full part number
KA64HAMCA-10_00W
KA64HAMCA-15_00W
KA64HAMCA-20_00W
Seems like they are just resellers on US market.
8. astrum-lasers
We checked this one and it seems like an expensive and professional tool.
The CEO is a very friendly and supportive guy. Was nice talking to them.
9. civillaser
1064nm IR Passively Q-Switched Pulsed Laser Solid State Laser Adjustable Power Supply
[Features]
1. Passively Q-switched
2. Adjustable repetition frequency
[Specification]
| Model | Model#01-1064HQ | Model#02-1064HXQ | Model#03-1064HYQ |
| Wavelength | 1064nm | 1064nm | 1064nm |
| Spatial Mode | TEM00 | TEM00 | TEM00 |
| Average Output Power | 200~1000mW | 500~1500mW | 200~1000mW |
| Single Pulse Energy | 5~100uJ (Large random range) | 80~200uJ | 10~100uJ |
| Pulse Width | 5~50ns (Large random range) | 5~50ns | 10~30ns |
| Peak Power | 500W~10KW | 1KW~10KW | 500W~5KW |
| Repeat Rate | 10Hz~50KHz | 10Hz~50KHz | 10Hz~30KHz |
| Modulation Signal | 0~50KHz | 0~50KHz | 0Hz~30KHz |
| Beam Spot Shape | Circular, aspect ratio<1.1:1 | Circular, aspect ratio<1.1:1 | Circular, aspect ratio<1.1:1 |
| Pointing Stability | <0.05 mrad | <0.05 mrad | <0.05 mrad |
| Beam Diameter（1/e2） | <1.5 mm | <1.5 mm | <1.5 mm |
| Beam Divergence | <1.5 mrad | <1.5 mrad | <1.5 mrad |
| Power Stability | <±3% per 2 hrs | <±3% per 2 hrs | <±3% per 2 hrs |
| Beam Height | 29mm | 39mm | 29mm |
| Temperature Stabilizing | TEC | TEC | TEC |
| Warm Up Time | <5 minutes | <5 minutes | <5 minutes |
| Beam Quality（M2） | <2 | <2 | <2 |
| Optimum Operating Temperature | 20~30℃ | 20~30℃ | 20~30℃ |
| Storage Temperature | 10~50℃ | 10~50℃ | 10~50℃ |
| MTTF | 10,000 hrs | 10,000 hrs | 10,000 hrs |
| Laser Head Size | 155(L)x77(W)x60(H)mm3 | 167(L)x77(W)x70(H)mm3 | 155(L)x77(W)x60(H)mm3 |
| Power Supply | 178(W)x197(D)x84(H) mm3 | 178(W)x197(D)x84(H) mm3 | 178(W)x197(D)x84(H) mm3 |
Very likely that this solution can be also be taken into account and we are waiting for detailed tests.
10. optlaser.com
Looking for some tests about metal marking – engraving to make a decision.
The price is average and can be used.
Hope you guys liked this post.
Please share with your friends and make comments below