Tips to Choose Laser Machine

Laser marking technology is one of the most important techniques in almost all types of manufacturing. This is because of the increasing demand from manufacturers and federal regulations to track and trace products. 

One of the common questions which fabricators ask is: how do they choose the correct laser marking technology? The truth is, marking and engraving is not the same thing. There are various factors which go into choosing the best and perfect solution for your application. 

Before making any important and big investment in laser marking equipment, consider these three major considerations and also replace parts like precitec nozzles or precitec laser head parts. It will help you choose the best laser technology: 

1. Materials:

Your first step is the type of material you are going to use for marking. Break down materials into two major parts i.e. organic and non-organic. 

Organic materials are wood, glass, plastic, or paper products. Whereas, non-organic materials are steel, aluminum, or anything which sparks in a microwave. 

So, firstly select the type of material you are going to use. This will give you the first step of clarity on what you want to engrave or mark. 

2. Type of Mark:

Once you decide the material the next you need to define is the mark you want to look like. Ask yourself with questions like are you looking for deep marks? Or do you want contrast marks? 

Depending on the type of marking technology you can easily create either dark or frosted marks. For example, if you are doing barcode technology and struggling with your vision systems ability to code then you need to frost backgrounds and dark marks. 

3. Consider safety:

Firstly, you need to think about which part you are going to engrave. Will it be on the plant floor near operators, do you use enclosed space? Will this machine be replacing another type of technology like an inkjet? 

Understand that the laser marker location is on an open shop floor and your laser supplier will help you to install the class 1 safety system. It includes a laser safe enclosure, warning lights, and curtains to form safe entryways. 

If you have a class IV laser then you need a dedicated room. It meets certain safety conditions like area posting, protective eyewear, and a key switch so that you can still meet safety requirements. 

Next up, let’s see which type of laser to use when. 

1. CO2 lasers:

Generally, if you want to mark product information on organic materials along with a non-contrast mark then go for CO2 laser marking. With the wavelength of 10.6 microns, it is safe to use it in open floor situations. A CO2 marking machine is a best suitable solution while replacing other marking technologies like inkjet, dot peen, or labeling. 

Remember, CO2 lasers provide you with a high mark quality and are a cost effective solution. They are useful for marking date codes, serial numbers, and other products like wood, glass, rubber, plastics, cardboards, etc. 

2. Fiber lasers:

If you are marking non-organic materials like metal or plastic and want contrast in your mark then a fiber laser is the solution. Fiber lasers are at 1 micron wavelength, it should be in a separate room and enclosed with doors. They should follow the CDRH i.e. Center for Devices and Radiological Health safety considerations to work in safe environments.

Note: Fiber mark lasers offer a wide range of capabilities and produce high quality marks. You can easily engrave serial numbers, bar code, 2D Data matrix, and graphics on materials like metals, plastics, and ceramics.

Additionally, make sure to use laser parts like precitec nozzles, precitec laser head parts, etc. as they are easy to replace.

3. Diode Pump Lasers:

If you are marking on plastic or anodized aluminum with a high contrast mark then use diode pump laser technology. It has three times more power than conventional fiber lasers. This delivers short pulses which creates clean, crisp marks using minimal surface.

Note: Diode pumped lasers deliver razor sharp, high contrast marks which improves readability. Additionally, it also increases the traceability via throughput process.

Conclusion:

Understanding different laser types and which to use when is important. We can understand there are plenty of different laser machines useful today. And many times it can be difficult to choose one over another. We hope this helps you overcome your confusion and helps you choose the correct laser.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/tips-to-choose-laser-machine

Top 10 Advantages of Fiber Laser Machine

If we look at the major categories, there are a total of three types of laser machines available.

1. CO2 laser cutter: They are useful on plastics, foam, leather, paper products, wood, acrylic.
2. Fiber laser cutter: They are useful in metals and plastics.
3. Crystal laser cutter: They are useful on materials like plastics, metal and some types of ceramics.

Each of the laser machines being unique in their own way and have advantages of their own. 

If you are a shop owner then you can use laser machines to engrave and customize the products of your shop according to your customers’ needs. You can even collaborate with some of the NGOs and help customize their products.

Fiber and CO2 cutting machines have been a mainstream cutting solution for the fabricators. But if you look closely, they both have differences in terms of applications.

For example,

Speed – Fiber laser machines are faster than CO2 lasers in thin materials as a slight lead in speed absorbs laser with when cutting with Nitrogen.

Cost per part – Fiber ones cost less than the CO2  laser depending on sheet thickness.

Beam guidance – fiber optics.

The workflow:

Fiber laser cutting is a method which makes use of focused high power density as the main heat source to illuminate the workpiece.

The use of laser cutting with parts like bystronic parts, precitec nozzles is increasing day by day because of its ease of use and advancements.

Let’s look at the advantages it has to offer:

1. Less Expensive:

Fiber laser cutting machines are less expensive. This is the major advantage of having a laser machine. The focus lens comes covered within the cutting head.

So, if you use a focus lens with care then there are more chances of it staying for a long time and you will not need to replace it continuously.

2. No Moving Parts:

This, in turn, helps in maintaining the machine and decreases the operating costs. Fiber optic cabling passes the light pulses hence it does not require moving mirrors to generate the laser. 

Another form of laser parts like bystronic parts, precitec nozzles uses a moving mirror in order to heighten the laser’s power. You need to maintain the mirror on a regular basis to use it for a long time.

If you do not maintain the machine then the chances of material damaging may increase. This makes the laser machine offline but it may even increase the operational costs.

3. Increases the cutting speed:

The main advantage of fiber laser is its speed. Suppose you are cutting a straight line of 1mm in thickness then, a fiber laser will cut three times faster than traditional laser.

However, while cutting through 2mm thickness the speed may decrease twice and not less than that. 

It represents the sizable changes.

4. Reflective Material:

The major problem of using traditional laser can be its reflective material. There are chances of laser to bounce back the reflective material, which in turn damages the equipment.

Because of this reason the traditional lasers are no more useful when you want to cut brass, aluminum, and copper. But, with the help of fiber optic lasers working on reflective material becomes easy.

5. High electric efficiency:

Conventional CO2 laser needs energy to produce the laser beam. In fact, the 2kW fiber laser cutting setup uses a third power as a 4kW CO2. 

However, the fiber optic is not efficient every time but, due to the low energy requirements, it increases the life expectancy of hardware.

6. Low Heat Output:

Fiber laser machines have cooling systems in comparison with other laser machines. This maintains the overall health of the machine by keeping the heat low and does even distribution through the setup.

Conclusion:

Laser cutting machines have been in the market for a year now and they are here to stay. The use of these machines is beyond our imagination.

Each laser type has its own time and a place. However, these are the most substantial benefits a fiber optics laser has over other conventional lasers.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/2020/03/21/Top-10-Advantages-of-Fiber-Laser-Machine

Five Tips to Start Successful Laser Engraving Business

Want to start your own laser engraving business? Or thinking of adding a new vertical of laser cutting to your current business? To bring more diversity and uniqueness to your table. Or looking to add some creative side to the business which can help you earn extra?

If yes, then this article is the perfect place to start.

To help you understand and set up the laser engraving and cutting business, here we are with the steps you can follow:

1. Create a plan

Planning is the foundation for any business. Without planning you cannot move your business in the right direction. So, before you place an order for your laser engraving machine you need to create a strong business plan.

Make sure to:

• Determine your target.
• Understand your competitors.
• Describe your company’s vision precisely.
• Prepare a solid marketing plan.
• Figure out a structure for your business.
• Set funding.
• Create a budget.
• Add emotional touch to your products.

2. Set goals

You need to set a target and time limit to achieve those targets. Make a very minute set of goals like what do you want to accomplish in the next three months or six months or a year?

Understand, while preparing this target don’t set an unachievable goal. Set realistic goals that will help you get nearer to your goals. It even helps you to know exactly where you need to focus to grow your business to the next level. 

Setting goals gives you full control over the outcome of your business and it even provides you motivation to keep going further to achieve success.

3. Add value to your products

Adding personalization is trending. Many big brands like Starbucks, Spotify, etc. also add personalization to their offerings.

Thinking, why do they add up such things?

It’s simple. To promote their brand in a personalized way to stay relevant in this ever-changing market. People are ready to purchase and even pay premiums on the things with which they can relate. 

Millennials like to invest in things like personalized diaries, t-shirts, bottles, mugs, etc. Hence, you should study and try to understand the current trends of the market before finalizing your products. Also, to make quality products, invest in high-grade laser parts like Trumpf eco nozzle and precitec nozzles.

This will help you add value to your products and additionally, making it easier for you to promote your products.

In today’s era, personalization is the key and as a store owner, you need to work according to customers’ needs.

4. Promote your brand every day

For any business, marketing is the key to success. You cannot miss on this point as without marketing it is possible your business stops growing.

For laser engraving business, you need to understand that what you are offering is something unique and it is easy for people to miss it. Especially if you are making something intricate using Trumpf eco nozzle and precitec nozzles.

People think it is something they don’t really need. So, you need to show your products and educate your audience of the product.

Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you think. All you need to do is add some extra efforts in marketing whilst keeping the message same across all the channels.

The way you do marketing speaks a lot about your brand so make sure to prepare a proper plan before running your marketing campaign. 

Here, we have shared some ideas to market your laser engraving business:

Start by offering some giveaways to the community. Tie-up with some non-profit organizations and give them your products for free. 

This can be the foundation and at the same time, it will even help you introduce your company. You can even donate a few things like small signboards, placards, etc. Small giveaways like this will help you stand out and at the same time, they will even help you promote your brand.

5. Give yourself an opportunity to explore

It does not matter if designing is not your strong point. There are many online sites where you can download unique design files. These designs can be free or paid but you can easily use them and engrave them on your products.  A small price for bigger pays off.

Wrapping it up:

Laser engraving is a vast field. And you can easily explore it by taking a small risk. The tips described above will make sure that you don’t face any major obstacles while setting up your business. Also, only invest in quality laser machines and parts like Trumpf eco nozzle and precitec nozzles.