Unlike 3D printers, laser cutters create designs and patterns by cutting materials rather than building them layer by layer.
Here we are explaining the whole process of how do laser engravers works and what are supported materials.
This subtractive manufacturing technology uses a powerful source of laser beams to melt, burn or vaporize the material.
A desktop laser cutter typically follows the instructions on the computer’s numerical control (CNC) or G-code.
The process begins with an extremely small laser beam that is emitted from a tube when a current passes.
This current causes the laser to reflect off a partial mirror and point through a focal lens on the sewing machine head.
Following the vector file that contains the 2D design, the laser beam cuts through a material until the image is complete .
These laser cutting machines are highly capable of creating finely detailed patterns with a high-quality surface finish . There is a wide range of compatible materials and laser cutting techniques that you can use.
The high heat of the laser beam vaporizes the material, thus cutting the surface of the part and physically removing some of the material. This process produces a cavity in the surfaces that is not only visible in high contrast but is also perceptible to the touch. There are notable differences in the depth of this cavity, which ranges from 0.5 mm in metals to 3 mm in softer materials.
The etched areas usually turn black. In this sense, multilayer materials offer an alternative, since they allow engravings in colors other than black. By eliminating the upper layers, it is possible to give visibility to other lower ones.
Another variant of laser engraving is relief engraving. The laser creates a deep engraving with different heights. This variant is undoubtedly the most impressive, since the overall effect is that of a wood carving. To create an embossing, you need a grayscale design and set the laser to convert the different values to different heights.
The best versatile laser engravers
This category includes the best manufacturers of laser excavators that use diodes for operation. These tools are suitable both professionally and at home. The popular models presented in the rating have a wide functionality and can handle a large number of different types of surfaces:
- Wood;
- PVC and plastic;
- Paper and cardboard;
- Leather;
- Glass;
- Aluminum;
- Sudd.
When working with the equipment, it is necessary to observe safety precautions: When machining some surfaces, make sure you wear glasses (they always come with the engraving), there must be good ventilation in the workroom, as the tool often creates clouds of smoke when you work.
Criteria for selection of graves
The engraver is a fairly popular tool, so it is not surprising that dozens of brands are involved in their production. In this regard, many models are offered in the market, which complicates the choice. If desired, purchase a similar tool to navigate to the following criteria:
- Force.
- The number of revolutions.
- Noise level.
- Canggie size.
The first criterion is power. This is because it depends on how much the tool will be. If the motor is too weak, there will be no nozzle when contact with the material being treated reduces its turnover, after which the shaft stops completely. As a result, even the simplest tasks will need a lot of time, instead of spending a few seconds.
For homework, It is worth choosing equipment with motor power within 120-170 W. The tool with such properties will not only be able to perform rapid engraving, but if necessary, it will drill a small hole in the metal or cut a little blank.
If the engraving is necessary for the hobby, especially for the treatment of miniature wooden parts, modeling, you can do it and the tool is 35-50 W, even if it is weak. The more powerful the tool, the better, but it increases the cost of the equipment.
When it comes to the number of revolutions, it usually chooses units with a rotation of the engine over 20 thousand revolutions. The tool for registered trademarks, even with a motor at 170 W, often produces up to 32 thousand revolutions, so the indicator 20 thousand is random. The simplest graves for hobbies can issue 6-8 thousand revolutions. Most tools offered on the market have a smooth fit, allowing you to adjust engine rotation from a safe minimum to a maximum.
The tool that will be held in the hands must weigh in the range of 500-750 gr.
If you can buy a powerful, but with a light digger, you should prefer him. Too heavy drills quickly cover hands, so if you need to work long, it will not work.
If you plan to use a flexible shaft, the weight criterion is not critical.
When working in a residential area, it is worth preferring with low audio devices. In addition to noise, which creates an electric motor during rotation, the sound of friction of the nozzle is added to the surface of the material being treated.
If both sound sources are loud, then in this case, in an apartment or a house, it will be uncomfortable for other residents. To work in the workshop, you can completely choose a noisy tool if the operator plans to use headphones to protect the hearing aid.
The latter, however, one of the most important criteria is the size of the canggie. The names of its parameters depend on which nozzles will be able to clamp in the instrument.
The most common option is a package with a diameter of 3.2 mm. They are most often used both in everyday life and in professional processing. Ideally, in a set for the tool, there are several colangs, which can be installed on the spindle coming from the engine.
In addition to the diameter of 3.2 mm, the collands are evaluated with 2.4 mm, 1.6 mm and 0.8 mm.
