Laser technology has grown rapidly over the years, and it has been used in many applications. Laser engraving is one of the common applications that have stood the test of time. This is the practice of using a laser to incise a design onto a material or an object.
Materials that can be engraved vary, and you should know the type of lasers to use. These Materials also vary in terms of properties and their abilities to absorb the light spectrum. It easy to engrave plastics, metal, stone, and glass.
This engraving process involves cutting out a portion of the material and leaving a cavity that shows the expected design. You will easily notice the engraved part of the material via touch or sight. However, laser engraving has to be done under a high-heat laser to vaporize the material easily.
A lot of debates have graced many forums concerning engraving glass. Many people may not know that glass doesn’t turn gaseous easily, making it the best choice for other means of engraving. Lasers can be used to engrave on glass and achieve excellent results if the engraving speed, power, and focus are good enough.
You may be asking yourself, can a fiber laser engrave glass? Clear your doubts today. Fiber lasers are an excellent choice for engraving metals and different types of plastics.
Common materials you can think of fiber laser engraving include metals such as stainless steel, copper, gold, aluminum, silver, and platinum. Plastics you can fiber laser engrave include ABS, and you can also use your lasers to engrave faux leather. Intrinsically, laser fiber machines are best for engraving metal and plastic and not a great glass choice.
Laser Engraving Glass-Everything to Know
Fiber lasers are not the perfect machines to engrave glass, and you should opt for better types of lasers widely used in the glass engraving industry. UV laser engraving machine is a specifically used tool to engrave the surface of glass and crystal materials. There are tips and tricks of laser engraving glass that you should keep in mind and get the best results.
It’s also wise to know what glass can be laser engraved. You don’t want to make mistakes engraving glass, and it starts by picking the best type of lasers for the job. With a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser engraver, it’s easy to engrave flat materials like mirrors or window glass and wine glasses or conical items such as bottles.
A fiber laser can laser process mirror glass by removing the reflective layer on the back. This is quite effective because you will not engrave the glass but keep the surface smooth. Other solutions suitable for engraving glass include using a moist paper towel.
A moist paper towel will help prevent the area you are laser engraving from becoming rough. You can as well use application tape and prevent the surface from becoming rough. However, you have to clean the glass to eliminate any adhesive residue on the engraved surface.
Advancements in laser technology have made it easy to engrave glass like any other material. The best solution is to use glass engraving machines, but the methods used to engrave glass vary. The glass types you can engrave using these machines include cast glass, bottle glass, float glass, mirror, windows, and crystal glass.
When engraving glass products, the laser for engraving the glass is usually higher as part of the material will be vaporized. The depth of engraving will also vary based on how hard the glass is to be engraved and your laser’s power. Your source of laser matters, and the difference between a UV laser and CO2 lasers is the intensity of engraving.
Engraving on glass needs to be done cautiously as most glass surfaces are not thick. If you decide to use CO2 lasers, keep in mind that the glass might crack after being exposed to the high energy of carbon dioxide. Laser engraving is a great choice for glass products over other methods because:
- It’s precise and fast, and you will get the most intricate designs
- Saves more material as there is minimal damage, and you will save more money in the process.
- Easy to use as the automation of the process makes the entire process effective.
- It guarantees neat and fine contoured details on the material.
Use the Best Laser Engraving Machines
Fiber lasers are exceptional choices for engraving metals and plastics. However, there unique laser engraving machines you should use to engrave glass. The main difference between fiber laser and CO2 laser that helps determine the material to engrave is the wavelength. You could even check out this Boss Laser review to get more ideas and information about which laser machine best fits your need and can function well in all forms of engraving.
To successfully engrave glass products, you have to consider the glass type suitable for the laser process. You also have to keep the glass cool and don’t over engrave. There are good laser engraving machines to rely on, and Shenzhen JPT Opto-electronics Co Ltd is one of the best suppliers.
As the first and leading manufacturer of MOPA fiber lasers in China, the company will supply you with the best JPT laser. You can go on and engrave different materials stress-free and consistent with the designs you desire. But then again, you should always consider laser engraving safety precautions.
