Aluminum Laser Engraving: All You Need to Know
Laser engraving aluminum can be used for marking serial numbers, QR codes, logos, brand names, and other information that helps in identification and tracking.
But the problem is that aluminum laser engraving is not as simple as engraving a piece of wood. It is a metal, and it requires the right type of laser machine.
If you are new to laser engraving aluminum, you are in the right place.
In This Article
- How Does Laser Engraving Aluminum Work?
- What Kind of Laser can Engrave Aluminum?
- Best Laser Engraver for Aluminum
- Conclusion
How Does Laser Engraving Aluminum Work?
Laser engravers throw a powerful light beam that can quickly increase the temperature of the object on which they fall. The temperature of the object surface reaches the boiling point, making the surface material vaporize.
The same happens with aluminum. When the laser beam falls on its surface, the area in contact evaporates, creating an engraved pattern. If you touch the engraving, you can feel the depth.
Aluminum is a metal with a much higher boiling point (2,470°C) compared to non-metals, but still, laser engravers can easily engrave it.
Laser engraving aluminum is much better than drilling as it does not affect the properties or appearance of the metal. By controlling the power settings, it marks aluminum without removing excessive material from the surface.
What Kind of Laser can Engrave Aluminum?
You might have heard about different types of laser engravers, such as CO2 laser engravers, diode laser engravers and fiber laser engravers. All these types of lasers have different capabilities for working on various materials.
Therefore, if you want to do laser engraving on aluminum, you need to know which type of laser is suitable.
Before we dive into the kind of laser for aluminum engraving, we need to understand the aluminum types first.
Types of Aluminum for Laser Engraving
what bare aluminum, powder coated aluminum and anodized aluminum are. They are three types of aluminum available on the market based on the appearance of their surface.
Bare aluminum
Bare aluminum refers to aluminum in its original state without any exterior coating.
Anodized aluminum
An exterior coating is applied on the bare aluminum through a process called anodizing.
Anodizing is an electrochemical process in which an oxide layer grows from the aluminum surface. This process enhances the corrosion and abrasion resistance of aluminum. The coating is durable and appealing, and it never wears off from the metal surface.
Anodized aluminum is available in various colors. Users can choose the right one according to the requirement.
Powder-coated aluminum
It is also a coated aluminum, but the process used for coating the metal is different from anodizing. The coating is applied with the help of a spray gun.
Compared to anodizing, powder coating is a dry process because there is no electrolytic solution involved. The metal is grounded, but the powder has a negative electrostatic charge. This way, the powder is coated over bare aluminum.
The best part is that powder coating is more economical and environmentally friendly.
Almost any color can be applied through powder coating. It gives aluminum a appearance that looks appealing. Most importantly, it protects the bare aluminum.
Now that we have a clear idea of aluminum types, let’s look at the type of laser engraver suitable for aluminum engraving.
Laser Engraving Bare Aluminum
For laser engraving bare aluminum, fiber laser engravers can engrave directly on it.
The wavelength of fiber lasers ranges from 780 nm to 2200 nm, and this wavelength is absorbed by most metals, including aluminum, which is why fiber lasers can engrave metals without any hassle or prerequisites.
Another option for marking bare aluminum is the infrared light (IR) diode laser. Common infrared diode lasers on the market have a wavelength of 1064nm, a wavelength excels at engraving metals and plastics.
However, if you engrave bare aluminum using a CO2 laser or blue light diode laser engraver, you need to apply a coating of metal marking spray to the surface before engraving it.
Laser Engraving Anodized Aluminum
For anodized aluminum, CO2, diode, and fiber laser engravers are all suitable.
The oxide layer that is due to the anodizing process can absorb the wavelengths of them. Therefore, it allows these lasers to engrave on anodized aluminum directly.
Laser Engraving Powder Coated Aluminum
Powder-coated aluminum can be engraved by CO2, diode, and fiber lasers. As it already has a coating, there is no need for any pretreatment.
Fiber vs CO2 vs Diode Laser for Aluminum Engraving?
Now, you might be thinking about which type of laser machine is suitable, as CO2, diode, and fiber lasers can engrave aluminum.
If you need a laser machine only for engraving and marking metals, you can go with a fiber laser.
Choose a CO2 laser if you want to engrave anodized and coated aluminum, as well as engrave and cut non-metals, especially for business purposes.
A diode laser is the most affordable option for anodized and coated aluminum.
Best Laser Engraver for Aluminum
xTool F1 Ultra: Dual Fiber and Diode Laser Engraver
If you need a performance beast, there’s nothing better than a fiber laser. And xTool F1 Ultra is the only compact option currently available - the first desktop engraver to feature both a 20W fiber laser and a 20W diode laser.
The 20W fiber power means metal engraving is a breeze. Even cutting aluminum (approx. 0.2mm) is possible. F1 Ultra utilizes galvo-laser technology, which makes it super-fast – it can engrave at 10,000mm/s. There’s no such combo of power and speed on the market.
Engraving versatility is another highlight. The F1 Ultra can engrave flat, curved, and round objects effortlessly. Its smart camera adjusts the laser head automatically for different heights.
F1 Ultra is the largest galvo-laser engraver ever with or without a conveyor. Its working area, 220*220mm is expandable (220*500mm) with an additional auto conveyor. You can place multiple items on the conveyor and batch engrave.
laser engraved anodized aluminum business cards
Working with F1 ultra is a breeze with a lot of automation – You place the material, and the smart camera provides a preview in XCS and auto-focuses the laser as per material thickness. Then, you get some preset settings for the laser engraver (of course they are customizable.)
Besides that, the machine also features an in-built touch control panel with 7GB storage space; you can save projects and engrave later without connecting it to an external computer.
Safety features include an enclosed design and a laser-filtering lid to protect the eyes. The smart cover halts the laser operation if you accidentally open the lid. Additionally, there’s an efficient exhaust system in place to keep the workspace clean.
Conclusion
Laser engravers can engrave aluminum, and it can easily be engraved using a CO2, diode, or fiber laser.
If you are using a fiber laser, you can directly engrave bare, anodized aluminum, or powder-coated aluminum.
While using CO2 or diode lasers, you need to apply a laser marking spray on the bare aluminum; however, the anodized aluminum and powder coated can be engraved directly.
For small laser businesses, fiber and CO2 laser machines are suitable as they can engrave a wide range of materials, including aluminum.
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