How to Choose the Right Laser for Stainless Steel

If you're looking for the perfect laser marking machine for your stainless steel fabrication needs, read on. We'll cover everything from power selection and wavelength compatibility to brand comparison, and help you get a handle on the purchasing process.This article combines practical needs and budgetary considerations, analyzes the impact of different parameters on the results of laser marking, and offers some tips on how to maintain your equipment, helping you avoid common pitfalls.

Why do stainless steel products require special equipment?

Stainless steel is hard and has a high reflectivity, making it difficult to mark.Just as writing on glass with a normal watercolor pen will cause the ink to slide, equipment with the wrong wavelength or insufficient power will produce a grayish image, or one with rough, fuzzy edges.It is recommended that one choose fiber or ultraviolet lasers for this purpose, because their short wavelengths can better "chew" the surface of stainless steel.

Three key factors need to be watched.

Laser power is not always better when it is greater.

Many people mistakenly assume that high-powered machines are the best, but in fact 30-watt lasers are sufficient for most stainless steel sheet processing.Too much power will burn the surface and leave a rough texture, especially when marking precision parts. The 20-50W range is most flexible.For example, the 40-watt laser we have in our workshop for marking medical devices can guarantee depth without burning the product.

The laser wavelength determines the marking effect.

1064nm fiber laser is suitable for dark color marking, while 355nm UV laser is better suited to light color fine graphics.The last time, one client used the wrong wavelength, and the logo on a stainless steel thermos came out a rather ugly brownish gray. After they changed over to a UV machine, they got the desired silver-white effect.

Balancing marking speed and accuracy.

If the speed is set too fast, the lines will be broken up, and if it is set too slow, productivity is affected.It is suggested that when a new machine arrives, one should first test it out with scraps, in order to find the best combination of speed and sharpness.For example, when marking a QR code of 5mm square, it is safer to keep the speed at about 700mm / s.

Practical details that are easy to overlook.

Don't forget the cooling system.

For equipment that works continuously for more than two hours, water cooling is more stable than air cooling.Last month, the air-cooled machine in the factory of a rival company broke down because of poor heat dissipation, and the lens module burned out. It took two days to repair it and get it back up and running.

Compatibility of software should be confirmed in advance.

Some of the older machines can only recognize certain formats of vector graphics, but most of the current models can import AI and CAD files directly.Before you buy, have the seller demonstrate the software operation, and don't wait until the machine is delivered to discover that it doesn't match your design software.

After-sales service is more important than price.

Some clients have bought second-hand equipment to save money, but then found it difficult to find replacement parts for the aged laser tubes.I suggest that people look for a supplier who offers a warranty of at least two years, and preferably one that has a service center where you can go to check out the spare parts inventory.

These are the key points checked during the test run.

He took samples of the materials he used and tested them on the machine, paying particular attention to the degree of oxidation and wear resistance.Rubbing the marked area with an alcohol swab will cause the color to fade if the adhesive is not strong enough.The depth of the mark is then compared with the various parameter settings, and the mark is scraped with a fingernail to test how easily it can be removed.Don't trust the samples provided by the manufacturer. Bring your own materials to test.