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简体中文How many watts does a laser need to engrave metal?
You can start engraving some metals with a laser as low as 30-50 watts, but for effective and efficient engraving of a wide range of metals, most professionals recommend a minimum of 60 to 100 watts.
However, the real key isn't just the watts (power), but the type of laser. The wattage requirement changes dramatically depending on the laser technology.
Here’s a detailed breakdown.
1. The Type of Laser is More Important Than Wattage
There are two main types of lasers used for metal engraving, and they work in fundamentally different ways.
A. Fiber Lasers (The Best Choice for Direct Metal Engraving)
How they work: Fiber lasers are specifically designed for metals. They use a wavelength (around 1,064 nm) that is highly absorbed by metallic surfaces. This allows them to directly mark the metal by melting and vaporizing a tiny amount of the surface, creating a permanent, high-contrast mark.
Typical Power Range: 20W to 100W is the standard range for engraving and marking.
20W-50W: Perfect for deep, high-contrast engravings on steel, titanium, aluminum, and for annealing marks (creating a dark mark without damaging the surface).
60W-100W+: Excellent for high-speed engraving, deep engraving, and cutting thin sheets of metal. This is the sweet spot for industrial applications.
Conclusion: For dedicated metal engraving, a 50W or 100W Fiber Laser is the industry standard and will handle 95% of all metal engraving tasks with ease.
B. CO2 Lasers (The Limited Option)
How they work: CO2 lasers use a different wavelength (around 10,600 nm) that is primarily absorbed by organic materials (like wood, acrylic, leather) and reflected by bare metal. You generally cannot engrave bare metal directly with a low-power CO2 laser.
How to "Engrave" Metal with a CO2 Laser:
Use a Coating: You must spray the metal with a special marking compound (like Cermark, LaserBond, or even simple spray paint). The laser burns off the coating, fusing it permanently onto the metal surface underneath. The engraving is actually the coating, not the metal itself.
High Power Required: To do this effectively or to sometimes mark anodized aluminum, you need significantly more power. A 40W to 60W CO2 laser can work with coatings, but it's slow. For more reliability and the ability to engrave powder-coated metals, 100W to 150W is much better.
Conclusion: While possible, using a CO2 laser for metal is an indirect process, adds an extra step (coating), and requires higher wattage for mediocre results compared to a fiber laser.
2. What Are You Trying to Engrave?
The specific metal and desired effect also determine the power needed.
Stainless Steel, Titanium, Anodized Aluminum: Easily engraved with a 30W-50W Fiber Laser.
Annealing Steel: A lower power (even 20W fiber) can heat the surface to create a permanent, dark oxide mark without removing material.
Aluminum (Bare): Difficult for CO2, but a fiber laser handles it well. Higher power (50W+) gives better contrast and speed.
Brass & Copper: These are highly reflective and conductive, making them the most challenging. They require a fiber laser with higher peak power (often 50W+) to overcome the reflectivity and effectively mark them.
Deep Engraving vs. Surface Marking: Removing significant material depth requires more power (or more passes) than a simple surface mark.
Summary Table
| Laser Type | Minimum Useful Power | Ideal Power Range | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Laser | 30W | 50W - 100W | Direct, high-quality engraving on all metals. The professional choice. |
| CO2 Laser | 40W (with coating) | 100W - 150W (with coating) | Engraving coated metals or using a spray-on compound to mark bare metal. |
Practical Example: A Common Machine
One of the most popular and versatile machines for small businesses and makers getting into metal engraving is a 50W Fiber Laser. This single machine can:
Create black/white marks on stainless steel.
Deeply engrave serial numbers on titanium.
Mark barcodes on aluminum.
Create beautiful designs on anodized aluminum dog tags.
Even do light cutting of thin metal shims.
Final Recommendation
For a hobbyist on a tight budget who already owns a CO2 laser, you can try metal marking sprays with a 40W+ machine.
For a small business, maker, or anyone serious about metal engraving, invest in a 50W JPT M7 Fiber Laser. This is the most cost-effective and capable entry point for professional results. You will not be limited by the machine's ability.
In short, stop looking only at watts. First, decide on the laser type (Fiber for metal), then choose the power (50W is a fantastic start).
