One of the most advanced and widely used laser marking systems in the world today is the fiber laser engraving machine. It offers a high degree of versatility, requires little maintenance, and does not require any consumables during the marking process. We all know about the excellent engravings achieved with a 50W Fiber Laser Engraver but what can a 50W fiber laser cut?
A 50W Fiber Laser engraver can cut thin gold, silver, brass, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum. Cutting thickness for gold, silver, and brass materials ranges from 0.3 to 0.7mm, depending on cutting designs and size.
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The fiber laser engraver has a wide range of applications, particularly for precise and efficient marking in the metal and plastic processing sectors. Many people who are thinking about purchasing a fiber laser engraver have asked us what can a 50W fiber laser cut. So we decided to write this article to answer the question in depth, read on to find out more.
What Can A 50W Fiber Laser Cut?
Here are some of the materials that can be cut with a 50 Watt Fiber Laser Engraver. As mentioned only cutting of very thin materials would be possible with multiple passes and enough time:
- Gold
- Silver
- Brass
- Stainless Steel
- Carbon Steel
- Aluminum
How thick steel can a 50W Fiber Laser Cut?
Various cutting sizes take different amounts of time. Many jewelers and people involved in jewelry manufacture use fiber laser engravers not only for engraving but to cut their designs as well. I did have the privilege of testing the SFX 50W Fiber Laser Engraver and did some test cuts on 0.3mm and 0.7mm Gold. More information on the SFX 50W Fiber Laser Engraver can be found in this article I wrote here.
With the SFX 50W Fiber Laser Engraver you can cut gold, silver, or brass with a maximum thickness of 0.7mm. Cutting time depends on the thickness and complexity of the design. I have compiled this information based on the test cuts I did:
- 0.3mm gold with a basic design: Cutting time was around 6 minutes.
- 0.7mm gold with basic design: Cutting time was around 12 minutes.
Also Read: Can you laser engrave gold?
If you require a laser for thicker metal cutting, the best option is a high-power fiber laser cutter. I’ve included the below chart for the correct laser power for your material thickness.
Laser Power | Gold | Silver | Brass | Stainless steel |
1500W | 2mm | 1.5mm | 2mm | 4mm |
2000W | 3mm | 2mm | 3mm | 5mm |
3000W | 4mm | 3mm | 4mm | 8mm |
Features of a 50W Fiber Laser Engraver
- Optimal beam quality
- Operating capabilities for air-cooling with a high ambient air temperature
- The functioning is very efficient and uses very little electricity.
- An almost maintenance-free design
- The laser source with the longest life span (up to 100,000 hours)
- Long pulse lengths and high peak power
- Enabling marking and deep engraving applications at high speeds
- Simple to include in your operations
What Can I Do With a 50W Fiber Laser?
Because of the resulting surface pattern formed by the ablation process, fiber laser marking is also known as laser engraving. It is used for a range of purposes, including:
- Medical Gadgets and Equipment – Surgical devices and other medical products that must be sterilized often (often at high temperatures) utilize identification marks that can endure the cleaning process without compromising the patient’s health.
- Barcoding and serializing – Fiber lasers are commonly used to engrave barcodes and serial numbers directly onto equipment and parts. Fiber lasers create high-quality markings that a barcode scanner can read. Serializing can be done with a variety of code structures, including UPC codes, one-dimensional codes, and data matrix codes.
- For copyright protection and the recovery of stolen goods, jewelry engraving – the production of distinctive marks to identify or brand articles of jewelry – has become popular.
- Placing trademarks on merchandise – If you run a high-end product business, etching your company logo can ensure that your brand is constantly visible to customers. Because customers can remove labels voluntarily or involuntarily, laser-etched logos are preferable to printed labels.
- Customizing products – Fiber laser engravers are also commonly used to customize products. As a laser engraver who specializes in personalized things, you can potentially run a very lucrative business. You may assist businesses and startups with engraving their logos on their items at the industrial level. You might also offer to produce personalized things such as wall hangings, jewelry, and watches.
- Computerized Parts – Printed circuit boards are examples of computerized parts.
Also Read: Can a laser engraver engrave silver?
Types of Fiber Laser Markings with a 50W Fiber Laser
Fiber laser marks come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The varieties of markings we can make with laser marking equipment are limited by the machine’s power.
We can, however, make a variety of engravings and markings.
Among the most well-known are:
Annealing: It is used to brand metal.
Instead of black, the oxidation process generated by laser annealing is used to achieve a colorful mark.
The color produced varies based on the amount of power used and the type of metal used.
Color coding: It works in a similar way as annealing.
You can use this technique to deal with a variety of color shades.
Material is being withheld: This technique involves removing only a small amount of material from a surface to leave a permanent engraving with the desired mark. The substrate’s upper portion has been etched.
What is the Difference Between a 20W, 30W, and 50W Fiber Laser Engraver?
Fiber laser engravers are powerful tools used for engraving, marking, and cutting various materials with high precision. When selecting a fiber laser engraver, one of the most critical factors to consider is the power output, commonly available in 20W, 30W, and 50W configurations. Understanding the differences between these power levels can help you choose the right machine for your specific needs. Here’s a detailed comparison of 20W, 30W, and 50W fiber laser engravers.
1. Power Output and Speed
20W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Power: The 20W engraver is the entry-level option, offering sufficient power for most basic engraving tasks.
- Speed: It provides good engraving speeds for softer materials like plastics, anodized aluminum, and some metals.
- Application: Ideal for marking, light engraving, and tasks that do not require deep cuts or fast production times.
30W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Power: With more power than the 20W, the 30W engraver can handle more demanding tasks.
- Speed: It offers faster engraving speeds and can process a wider range of materials, including harder metals like stainless steel.
- Application: Suitable for more intensive marking, deeper engraving, and higher productivity.
50W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Power: The 50W engraver is the most powerful of the three, capable of handling the toughest materials and thickest cuts.
- Speed: It provides the fastest engraving speeds, making it ideal for high-volume production environments.
- Application: Perfect for deep engraving, cutting thicker materials, and applications requiring the highest power and speed.
2. Material Compatibility
20W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Compatible Materials: Plastics, coated metals, anodized aluminum, and some softer metals.
- Limitations: May struggle with harder metals and thicker materials.
30W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Compatible Materials: Similar to the 20W but with added capability to engrave harder metals like stainless steel and achieve deeper engravings.
- Limitations: Can handle most materials but may not be as efficient with very thick or extremely hard materials.
50W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Compatible Materials: Wide range including plastics, all metals (including titanium and hardened steel), and thicker materials.
- Advantages: Handles the hardest and thickest materials with ease, suitable for both engraving and cutting tasks.
3. Engraving Depth and Quality
20W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Engraving Depth: Limited to shallow depths, suitable for surface marking.
- Quality: High-quality markings on softer materials, less effective on harder materials.
30W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Engraving Depth: Capable of deeper engravings than the 20W, suitable for a wider range of applications.
- Quality: Maintains high-quality engraving with improved depth and detail on harder materials.
50W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Engraving Depth: Superior depth capability, ideal for deep engravings and cutting.
- Quality: Excellent quality across all materials, providing the best detail and depth.
4. Cost and Investment
20W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Cost: Generally the most affordable option, making it ideal for beginners and small-scale operations.
- Investment Value: Good for basic needs, but may require an upgrade as demand grows.
30W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Cost: Mid-range price, offering a balance between cost and capability.
- Investment Value: Great for medium-sized operations and those needing more power without a significant cost increase.
50W Fiber Laser Engraver:
- Cost: Highest price point due to its advanced capabilities and power.
- Investment Value: Best for large-scale operations and applications requiring the highest efficiency and productivity.
Choosing between a 20W, 30W, and 50W fiber laser engraver depends on your specific needs and applications. The 20W is perfect for basic tasks and entry-level users, the 30W offers a balance of speed and power for more demanding jobs, and the 50W provides maximum power and efficiency for the most challenging materials and high-volume production. By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your engraving and marking requirements.
Final Thoughts
Fiber laser engravers are different from metal laser cutting devices in that they are designed to laser engrave. Although some thin metal cutting is possible with a 50 – 100W fiber laser engraver. Some metals are often utilized in practice due to their attractive characteristics and ease of handling. As a result, it’s advisable to get a reliable company’s laser equipment so you can effortlessly manage any material that comes your way.