Laser Power and Engraving Speed Comparison Chart: Recommended Parameters for Different Precious Metals

It provides parameters for the power and speed of laser engraving for precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver, and based on practical experience recommends settings for practical use.The book also covers the parameters and tricks for working with different materials, which will enable the user to achieve greater precision and avoid damaging the material. It is suitable for both artists and jewelers.

Why is parameter setting important?

When carving precious metals with a laser, power and speed are like a "duo" --if they don't work together just right, you can either burn up the material or end up with a fuzzy image.Gold and platinum conduct heat quickly and have a high reflectivity, so they require more precise adjustment of the parameters.Don't worry, we've tested these parameters and they're reliable.

Common precious metal characteristics.

Gold parameters.

Gold is soft, but highly reflective, so I recommend setting power at 30-45 % and speed at 600-800 mm / s.When carving darker colors, the speed can be appropriately reduced to 500mm / s, but the power should not exceed 50 %, otherwise it will leave scorch marks.

The platinum parameters.

Platinum is harder, so it requires a higher power setting (50-65 %) and the speed is slowed to 400-600 mm / s.First, experiment with scrap material to determine the critical point at which the surface is just scratched. This will help prevent a work from being ruined.

The silver is engraved.

Pure silver oxidizes quickly, so it is recommended to use medium-to-low power (35-50 %) with medium-to-high speed (700-900mm / s).If you want an antique effect, you can try repeating the laser etching on a single area, but you must allow the material to cool for at least five seconds between each etching.

Small tricks for parameter adjustment.

1. First, do a "mini test." Carve a small square in the back or edge of the material and observe the results to adjust your technique.

2. Don't forget about the temperature: When the temperature in the room exceeds 30 ° C, it's recommended that the power be reduced by 5-10 %.

3. Maintenance is equally important: The lens should be cleaned once a month to ensure stable laser output.

Finally, please note that the performance of different brands of equipment varies, and that these parameters are applicable only to mainstream 60-100W fiber laser machines.If you are new to the game, then the safest way to start is to reduce the recommended value by 10 % and see how you get on.