What Makes a Laser Engraver Work?

Laser engravers are used to mark objects with a greater degree of control and complexity than manual engraving. Laser engraving also prevents the need for frequent replacement of drill bits--which is a problem with other, more traditional, means of engraving.

There are three aspects to any laser engraver. The first part of the system is the actual laser, which is used to mark the surfaces. It's a beam of light that has sufficient intensity to engrave patterns onto a surface. The second part is the controller, which is typically a computer. The controller is used to control the movement and intensity of the laser and ensure that the engraving is the correct depth and size. The final component is the surface to be marked, which is chosen based on the types of materials that the laser can affect.

Lasers used in laser engraving use light that is collimated. This type of light has beams that are parallel and therefore less diffused. Laser light is very efficient in engraving because the laser beam is able to generate a great deal of heat, which causes a line or pattern to be etched on the surface.

The most common type of laser engraver is the X-Y table. In this type of engraving machine, the surface stays in one place as the laser moves around it. The laser utilizes movable mirrors to engrave the surface in the required patterns, carefully controlled by the computer. The laser engraves the surface using different levels of intensity, depending on the type of material it's engraving. As the laser moves over the surface, the focal point--where material is to be removed--is crossed by the laser. When this happens, the material either flakes off or is vaporized by the laser, depending on what type of material the surface is made of.

Laser engraving affects different materials in different ways. Some materials don't engrave well, including soft woods and paper. Others, however, take laser engraving well--including glass, fiberboard, acrylics and latex rubber compounds.