A Comparison of Engraving Effects: A Practical Analysis of the Difference between High- and Low- Speed Engraving

Want to understand the difference in the effect of laser engraving between high speed and low speed? By actually testing and comparing, you can analyze the effect of different engraving speeds on the clarity of the characters, efficiency and material compatibility, and find the best engraving solution to suit your needs.Key words: high speed marking, low speed engraving, selectable marking speed.

How does the speed of the laser marking affect the quality of the engraving?

Whether it is for customized gifts or industrial identification, the speed of the marking machine directly affects the quality of the finished product and the efficiency of the operation.Many people are confused about whether to choose a high-speed or low-speed router, but the key is to look at their actual needs.Today, let's look at a real-life example and talk about the differences between the two models.

The basic concept of labeling speed.

is the core feature of high-speed marking.

In high-speed mode, the laser head or cutting tool moves more quickly, which makes it suitable for mass production.For example, it can engrave a serial number on a stainless steel name plate in just 10 seconds, three times faster than low-speed machines.But the faster the speed, the higher the requirement for a smooth surface on the material. If the surface is even slightly uneven, the writing is apt to be incomplete.

The right place for low-speed marking.

In low-speed mode, the laser can be used to make precise, delicate cuts.Experiments have revealed that when cutting small characters 2mm in size at low speed on wood, the edges of the strokes are about 30 % smoother than when using high speed.But it takes a long time, and to make a complex pattern might take half an hour.

A comparison of the actual effects.

We did a comparative experiment between stainless steel and acrylic.

1. Clarity: The last line of 0.5 mm English text (such as "precision") is sharper when the disc is burned at a low speed.

2. **Efficiency**: High-speed marking of 30 identical patterns takes 47 % less time than low speed.

3. **Material suitability**: For brittle materials (glass / ceramic), use a low speed to reduce breakage by 60 %.

How can you choose without falling into a trap?

Look at the thickness of the material.

Thin pieces (≤ 2 mm) should be cut at high speed, but thicker pieces should be cut at low speed, as high speeds can cause carbonization of the edges due to heat buildup.Last week a client engraved a logo on a 5-mm aluminum plate at high speed, and the back side was scorched.

Look at the complexity of the pattern.

Simple patterns can be printed at high speed, but for intricate patterns, such as those with interlaced vines, the higher precision of the low-speed mode comes into play.One jeweler who makes custom pieces said that after switching to low-speed, his customer complaint rate dropped 20 %.

A few tips on maintenance.

The high-speed mode does indeed use up more materials. The life of the laser head will be shortened by 15-20 %.It is suggested that the lenses be checked regularly for cleanliness, and when working with PVC, which tends to produce smoke, it is best to clean the optical components with alcohol every two hours.