CO2 and fiber lasers are the most common laser types for material processing including laser cutting, laser engraving, and laser marking. This overview introduces the materials appropriate for CO2 lasers and fiber lasers at power levels below 200 watts. It also introduces links to resources to help you determine the best laser system configuration for your requirements.
The focused energy from a CO2 laser below 200 watts is used primarily for processing organic materials, but it can do some processing of inorganic, non-metallic materials. With high enough laser power density achieved by using special optics, CO2 lasers at these power levels can also mark some metals. Here are the processes and materials CO2 lasers are used for:
CO2 Cutting and Marking/Engraving
For cutting with 150 watts or less, a practical maximum thickness limit from .125 inch (3.2mm) to 1.0 inch (25.4mm) applies to many organic materials. The limit varies greatly depending on material density and composition. Some low-density foam materials up to 2.0 inches (50.8mm) thick can also be cut. The maximum thickness for cutting and speed of processing are heavily influenced by the amount of applied laser energy, so more power (75–150 watts) is recommended for processing thicker material or for higher productivity.
The following materials are suitable for CO2 laser cutting, engraving, and marking:
CO2 Marking/Engraving (No Cutting)
Numerous materials can be marked or engraved with CO2 laser energy below 200 watts because there is enough laser energy for noticeable surface interaction but not enough energy to penetrate all the way through a material for cutting. Generally, if a material is inorganic and heat resistant (doesn’t melt or has a very high melting point), it cannot be laser cut with a CO2 laser rated under 200 watts.
The following materials are suitable for CO2 laser marking and, in some cases, shallow engraving:
Metal marking is difficult with CO2 lasers because metal reflects or conducts most of the laser energy away from the focal point. To make steel and titanium surface marking possible with laser power as low as 25 watts, Universal Laser Systems (ULS) developed and patented exclusive High Power Density Focusing Optics (HPDFO™) that concentrate laser energy by focusing it to a significantly smaller focal spot size than possible with any standard optical system. Concentrating laser energy into a smaller spot dramatically increases power density to overcome the energy loss of reflection and conduction, enabling steel and titanium marking. Learn more about HPDFO.
Fiber lasers rated 100 watts or less are used primarily for marking/engraving metal materials. The shorter wavelength of fiber lasers (compared with CO2 lasers) is absorbed by metal much more efficiently. The advantages of fiber lasers with metal are the ability to mark more metal types, penetrate below the surface of the metal, and mark/engrave faster than CO2 lasers of a similar power rating. Fiber lasers are also used for surface marking certain plastics that have fillers that absorb and react to the fiber laser energy.
Fiber Laser Marking/Engraving
The following materials are suitable for fiber laser marking and, in some cases, shallow engraving:
Fiber lasers are also used to selectively remove thin metallic coatings on substrates not affected by fiber laser energy, including glass and PET plastic film.
The selection of laser or lasers you chose depends heavily on your processing requirements.
Before deciding on a configuration, consider all the materials important for you now and in the future. You can use our online tool to help configure a laser system with the correct laser sources to meet your material processing requirements.
You may also contact us by phone, email (moreinfo@ulsinc.com), online chat, or web form with your material processing questions. We will help you determine the best laser configuration based on your requirements. Here is our contact information.
