Applicationlist

Challenges in Laser Cutting CopperCopper is a highly reflective element. This made the cutting process difficult with conventional CO2 lasers because the laser beam reflects off the surface before the copper can absorb its energy. For this reason, manufacturers and fabricators chose alternative methods like water jets and stamping copper. However, innovations in fiber laser technology have made fiber laser machines ideal for this application. With a shorter wavelength, tighter focus, and greater power density, fiber lasers have become the best solution for cutting highly reflective materials like copper and brass. Laser Cutting Copper Samples Recommended Laser Cutting Systems About Laser Photonics Corporation Laser Photonics Corporation, based in Orlando, Florida, is the leading industrial company in high-tech laser systems for laser cleaning, laser marking, laser cutting, laser engraving, 3D printing, and other materials processing applications. Our systems are currently and historically, used by manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, industrial, maritime, and medical industries around the world. The Laser Photonics brand is associated with a number of worldwide licenses and patents for innovative and unique laser products and technologies. Laser Photonics has, for over three decades, been the workhorse of industry-standard laser subtractive manufacturing. Laser Photonics systems have been implemented into the production and maintenance regimens of world-renowned organizations such as Sony, NIKE, 3M, Delphi, NNSY-Norfolk Naval Shipyard, NASA, Cannon Air Force Base, Eaton Aerospace, Blue Origin, GE, Caterpillar, Harley-Davidson, PPG, Eli Lilly, Smith & Nephew, Millipore, DuPont, Bosch, Gables Engineering, Champion Aerospace, Smith Aerospace, Metaldyne, and Heraeus. Need A Laser? Let Us Help First Name (required) Last Name (required) Email Company Phone Number Δ

Stainless steel is fabricated across almost every industry. Conventional methods include CO2 laser cutting, plasma, water jet, sheering, punching and stamping. Cutting with a Fiber laser can eliminate almost every other method. With the speed of linear motors and the power of a Fiber laser cutting up to 1”, almost every method of fabricating stainless steel becomes obsolete. Although other lasers can cut thick stainless steel, Fiber technology is extremely efficient, reliable and relatively zero maintenance. This positions Fiber laser cutting as the preferred method over conventional technologies. Click on images below to enlarge About Laser Photonics Corporation Laser Photonics Corporation, based in Orlando, Florida, is the leading industrial company in high-tech laser systems for laser cleaning, laser marking, laser cutting, laser engraving, 3D printing, and other materials processing applications. Our systems are currently and historically, used by manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, industrial, maritime, and medical industries around the world. The Laser Photonics brand is associated with a number of worldwide licenses and patents for innovative and unique laser products and technologies. Laser Photonics has, for over three decades, been the workhorse of industry-standard laser subtractive manufacturing. Laser Photonics systems have been implemented into the production and maintenance regimens of world-renowned organizations such as Sony, NIKE, 3M, Delphi, NNSY-Norfolk Naval Shipyard, NASA, Cannon Air Force Base, Eaton Aerospace, Blue Origin, GE, Caterpillar, Harley-Davidson, PPG, Eli Lilly, Smith & Nephew, Millipore, DuPont, Bosch, Gables Engineering, Champion Aerospace, Smith Aerospace, Metaldyne, and Heraeus. Need A Laser? Let Us Help First Name (required) Last Name (required) Email Company Phone Number Δ

Aluminum is widely used in metal fabrication but not exclusively cut by lasers. Aluminum is extremely reflective to conventional CO2 laser technology. Fiber lasers are the answer. Fiber lasers have a shorter wavelength and greater power density. This enables fiber lasers to cut up to 1” aluminum and penetrate a market in which plasma and water jet ruled. Click on the image to enlarge Recommended units: FLC >2kW

This process is commonly used to create permanent part marking. Etching is typically a very shallow surface removal to create contrast. Applications range from etching electronics, tools and automotive components. Click on image to enlarge    

Laser processing has only recently started to take hold of the packaging industry. Newer laser technology has finally met the high throughputs that older technology, like ink jet and stamping, had set the standards within automated lines. Laser processing is ideal for the high speeds and repeatability that the packaging industry requires. Laser Photonics systems can be seen in bottle marking lines, boxes, label making, and other consumable packaging products.

ATF regulations have led the firearms industry to seek laser solutions. With high peak power systems now available, firearm manufactures are able to meet ATF standards while manufacturing 24/7 with zero down time for maintenance or retooling. Laser Photonics’ Canyon Deep Engraving system was specifically designed to meet the performance demands of the leaders in the firearms industry.

Sample ceramics marking application. The sample marked extremely well with the 20-watt Fiber Laser Marking System.

The part was laser marked using a 20-watt q-switched ytterbium fiber laser with a 160 mm focal length lens. The sample was etched with the information provided by the customer. Medical Device Marking: Material: Aluminum Power: 20 watts The method used: Etching Frequency: 20kHz Depth: Surface Speed: 0.5 inch/sec. Laser Type: Q-Switched Fiber Laser Focal Length Lens: 160mm Cycle Time: Bold Font – 150 seconds Light Font – 11 seconds

The parts were laser marked using a 20Watt Fiber Laser Marking System with a 160mm lens. The 160mm focal length lens has a working distance of 176mm from lens to part. Two different logos were marked on the samples on each end. The main logo had a cycle time of 1.67 seconds. The other logo had a cycle time of 2.59 seconds. The logos mark on the coated dark sample provided better contrast than the light material.

The parts were marked with a 20-watt q-switched ytterbium fiber laser and a 160 mm focal length lens. The parts were surface etched and annealed to create a contrasting mark. Material: Steel Power: 18 Watts The method used: Etching & Annealing Frequency: 20 kHz Depth: Surface Speed: 5 inch/second Laser Type: Q-Switched Fiber Laser Focal Length Lens: 160mm Cycle Time: Large – 1.58 seconds Medium – 1.91 seconds Small – 1.81 seconds

Aluminum automobile parts laser marking result.

The parts were marked using a 10 & 20 Watt Fiber Laser Marking System using a 160 mm lens. The parts were marked with both an etched mark and a dark surface mark. The etched marked was done using the 10 Watt Fiber laser and had a cycle time of 0.45 seconds. The dark surface marks were done with a 20 Watt Fiber Laser, the cycle time was 0.45 seconds. The two different types of marks were done to show variety and to provide more than one marking option. The parts were also marked while covered in the lubricant that was in the bag that the parts came in. The parts were not wiped off before being marked.  

Vehicle Glass Marking, Automotive application. Click on the detail link above to see a microscopic view of the “t” character.

This part was marked using a 20-watt q-switched ytterbium fiber laser with a 160 mm focal length lens. The sample was etched with the information provided by the customer. Medical Device Marking: Material: Plastic Power: 8 watts The method used: Engraving Frequency: 20 kHz Depth: Surface Speed: 10 inch/sec. Laser Type: Q-Switched Fiber Laser Focal Length Lens: 160mm Cycle Time: 5.14 seconds – 2 passes

The parts were marked using a 20Watt Fiber Laser Marking System with a 160mm lens. The 160mm focal length lens has a working distance of 176mm from lens to part. Two different logos were marked on the samples on each end. The main logo had a cycle time of 1.67 seconds. The other logo had a cycle time of 2.59 seconds. The logos mark on the coated dark sample provided better contrast than the light material.

The parts were marked using a 20 Watt Pulsed Fiber Laser using a 160 mm lens. The samples were annealed to create brightly contrasting marks. The Brass sample was engraved and lightly etched, each with its own cycle time. Engraved-1.63 secs, Light etch 2.18 secs. Technology: Q-switched Fiber Laser Wattage: 20 Watt Wavelength: 1060nm – 1070nm Focal Length Lens: 160mm

The plastic cover was marked with a 20-watt q-switched ytterbium fiber laser with a 160 mm focal length lens. The part was laser marked with both a barcode along with the text. The marking was made to show the feasibility of the laser to imply what a typical cycle time and what type of contrast can be produced. The barcode was read well in the lab with Symbol DS 3407 Barcode Reader. The total time for the text and the barcode was 10.57 seconds.

UID marking was created using a 20-watt q-switched ytterbium fiber laser with a 160 mm focal length lens. The 160mm focal length lens has a working distance of 176mm from lens to part. The marks were created on the parts using a 2 step process. First, the light patch was etched onto the surface using 12 watts of power with a frequency of 30 kHz and speed of 50 inches per second, resulting in a cycle time of 0.99 seconds. Next, the 2D code and text were annealed onto the surface using 18 watts of power, with a frequency of 35kHz and a speed of 4 inches per second, resulting in cycle times of 7.08 seconds for the 2D Code and 1.5 seconds for the text. The total cycle time for all marks on the part was 9.5 seconds.