How much does a laser engraver cost?

Laser engraving is one of the most popular laser marking technologies in producing traceability and identification. If you want to know how much a laser engraver costs and would like to know more about it, here is everything you need to know about.

What applications for laser cutters and engravers?

Laser engravers or cutters perform a wide range of functions on different materials. This makes them useful at home or at work.

What can a laser engraver do?

Here are just a few of the many things you can do with a laser engraving machine.

Photo engraving:

Engraving photographs on plastic and other materials is easy, even with an inexpensive laser engraver/laser cutter. However, it takes a few tries to master the process, so be prepared to put some time and effort into it. Overall, photographs with shades of light and dark tones are the best to use for the engraving to stand out.

Customizing Objects:

A laser engraver allows you to personalize almost all your objects: phone cases, furniture, textiles, and more. You can enter your personal data (first name, address) or your favorite quote. It is even possible to burn cookies.

Engraving ring and other jewelry:

With a laser engraving machine, you can use the laser to engrave an alliance, ring, earrings, bracelet... Use your creativity to create the desired pattern on the PC, and the machine will engrave it on the jewelry.

Note: For metal laser engraving, basic laser engravers usually require you to cover your 3D metal object with paint first, unless the material is already anodized.

What can you do with a laser cutter?

Here are some of the things you can do with a laser cutter.

Art and models:

With laser cutting, you can quickly realize all your creative ideas by easily cutting the materials you need. You can cut paper, wood, fabric, and more as long as the material is not too thick.

Decorations:

You won't be able to make Ikea furniture with a laser cutter, but you can make decorations for your home. Many do-it-yourselfers create their own coasters, clocks, keychains, mats (laser cut on fabric), etc. You can even make your own holiday decorations and gifts.

Accessories:

On the internet, you will find many laser-cut models for key rings, earrings, business cards, laptop stands, and stamps…. The possibilities are almost endless.

Signs:

Whether you need a sign for your store or just want original signs for your home, a desktop laser cutter is ideal for this type of project. You can cut out the base of your sign or cut out the letters. After that, you can also laser engrave your sign for even more originality.

What are the best laser engraver and laser cutters?

Laser engravers and laser cutters use subtractive manufacturing technology (unlike 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing). Their laser selectively burns or melts matter, following precise digital instructions.

With a laser cutter and laser engraver, you can add a personal touch to objects of your choice or create your own bespoke pieces. There are, however, a multitude of laser cutting and engraving machines on the market and it can be quite difficult to find the best laser engraver for your needs.

Classic laser markings:

Standard laser marking projects a pulsed or intensive laser beam onto the surface to be treated. The interaction between the beam and the support causes different phenomena depending on the setting of the machine. These phenomena can be either a removal of material, an etching, a change in structuring, or a modification of the color of the treated part.

Depending on the desired treatment mode, the adjustment of the machine generally relates to the intensity of the radiation of the beam in the focus, to the pulse duration, or to the wavelength of the laser.

Black laser markings:

As its name suggests, black laser marking consists of reproducing a particularly contrasting and dark marking on support. This process uses short laser pulses to design nanoscale structures. The microstructured zone will decrease the intensity of the light, which causes the blackening of great stability.

Laser markings by revenue:

Laser marking by tempering is a technique for marking metal, steel, and even titanium, in a permanent way. To do this, the laser heats the material below its melting point, which results in a change in the structure of the lattice. After the formation of oxidation layers on the surface of the support, different temper colors appear. The surface condition is preserved over the long term provided that the colors are kept at a maximum temperature of 200°C.

Note, however, that tempering marking is only used for metals that change color under the action of oxygen and heat.

Laser marking of plastic materials:

In the case of laser treatment of plastics, three processes can be considered:

- Color change

- The modification of the surface

- Layer removal

Laser markings on metals last longer than those on plastics. For good reason, the macromolecular structure of plastics very easily absorbs the laser beam. The duration of the operation can even be optimized thanks to the use of lasers of different wavelengths.

Laser engravings:

Laser engraving is often used in electromechanics and in the automotive industry. The laser beam diffused by the process removes material, which will cause a notch. Etching is done by a combination of vaporization and fusion removal. The beam projection intensity is also high as the medium evaporates and partially melts. The average depth of the etching thus produced varies from 10 to 50 μm.

A large number of media can be laser engraved. In the case of metal engraving, smooth structures, which appear white, and rough structures, which appear black, are obtained.

If this guide on our surface treatment equipment interests you, do not hesitate to visit our site dedicated to water treatment equipment, such as: