UV laser engravers and fiber laser engraving machines are two popular options in the world of industrial marking, and each has its unique strengths! The main difference between them is the wavelength of their lasers and how they interact with materials, which affects where you might want to use them.
We've chatted with a lot of customers who felt a bit lost when trying to choose the right one for their needs, so we completely understand how confusing it can be. That's why we've put together this friendly comparison of both types to help you figure out which one might be the best fit for you. We hope it makes your decision a little easier!
• The wavelength is super short, which means the photon energy is really high!
• When a UV laser works with materials, instead of burning them, it actually cuts the molecular chains using a process called photochemical cleavage. This method produces hardly any heat, which is why we call it cold processing.
• Advantages: There's no burning, melting, or carbonization involved—just beautifully sharp and smooth edges every time.
• Longer wavelengths correspond to relatively lower photon energy.
• When a material absorbs laser energy, it gets a little boost as the internal electrons become excited. This excitement turns the energy into heat through the vibrations of the material's atoms. As a result, the temperature rises quickly, which can lead to melting, vaporization, or even oxidation of the material. We like to call this whole process thermal processing!
• Advantages: High marking speed, controllable depth, and durable markings.
UV laser engraving machines have some fantastic advantages, especially when it comes to their precision and their ability to process materials without generating heat. Because of these great features, they are perfect for a variety of applications, including:
• Plastics: Marking on plastics like ABS and PC does not cause deformation or release toxic gases due to heat, and it is especially effective for white marking.
• Glass: No matter what you do, Internal engraving or surface marking, you'll get clear results without the worry of breaking your glass.
• Flexible Circuit Boards (FPC): Gently peel off the cover film without harming the copper foil underneath, and you'll achieve amazing precision!
• Silicon Wafers: Micro-marking on brittle semiconductor wafers without micro-cracks.
• Metal Foils: Creating markings on ultra-thin metal sheets with minimal thermal distortion.
• High-End Surface Treatment: Color marking on plating, paint, and anodized layers without damaging the underlying material.
The strengths of fiber laser engravers are their high efficiency and deep engraving capabilities. As a result, these machines excel in the following applications.
• Various metals: Clearly, this is its strength. Materials like stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and their alloys can be deeply engraved, shallowly marked, or anodized.
• Some plastics: Engineering plastics that are especially dark-colored and contain fillers allow for high-contrast marking.
• Electroplated materials: Marking on various electroplated signs and tools.
• Ceramics: Surface engraving of graphics and text.
• General applications: engraving QR codes, logos, and serial numbers on hardware tools, electronic components, automotive parts, medical devices, kitchenware, and other fields.
• Precision: UV lasers are really cool because their shorter wavelength allows them to focus on a much smaller spot. This means they can achieve higher precision compared to fiber lasers, making them perfect for tasks that require micron-level processing!
• Thermal Effects: UV lasers have virtually no thermal effects, while fiber lasers leave a tiny heat-affected zone at the marking edge.
• Marking Color: Ultraviolet lasers primarily create white or light-colored markings through chemical changes on the material's surface. In contrast, fiber lasers on metals typically produce black, gray, or the material's natural color through controlled energy indentation.
• Machine Cost: UV laser marking machines are pretty advanced and offer some fantastic features! However, they do come with a higher price tag —usually 1.5 to 3 times that of fiber lasers with the same power.
• Maintenance Cost: The lifespan of UV lasers, particularly the pump source and frequency-doubling crystal, is typically shorter than that of fiber lasers. Additionally, maintenance requirements are more stringent, resulting in higher overall maintenance costs.
• Power Consumption and Stability: Fiber lasers are highly efficient in electro-optical conversion, consume less power, have an integrated structure, exhibit excellent stability, and require essentially no maintenance. In contrast, UV lasers tend to have higher power consumption and are more sensitive to operating conditions such as temperature and cleanliness.
• If your products are mostly made of different metals, or if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn't require ultra-fine precision, then fiber laser marking machines are a great choice! They offer versatility, efficiency, and are easy on the wallet, making them an excellent option for your needs.
• If you're working with heat-sensitive or highly reflective materials like plastics, glass, FPC, silicon wafers, or high-end electronic components, UV laser marking machines are just what you need for achieving ultra-fine results without any heat damage. They're essential for ensuring your products look their best!
• If white marking and internal engraving are required, UV laser machine is the preferred option.
• For deep engraving and black marking, please go with a fiber laser machine.
• If you're working with really small marking sizes, like less than 0.2 mm, it's a great idea to go with UV marking!
• If you're working with a tight budget but want something reliable and long-lasting, fiber optic laser marking is a great choice to consider!
Fiber lasers are like the heavyweights in the laser world, perfect for tackling metal processing with ease. On the other hand, UV lasers are the finesse artists, expertly working with delicate and sensitive materials. These two types of lasers work hand in hand, making them a fantastic duo for just about every industrial marking application you can think of!
Copyright © Jinan EagleTec Machinery Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Sitemap
