[SoCalPlaneDoc]

Just curious if a capable cutter could also do a decent job of laying down part number/logos on anodized parts?

[underthetire]

Even my 40 watt does a great job on anodized aluminum.

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[SoCalPlaneDoc]

ya, lower powers can too. I guess what I'm wondering if the brute force lasers can still do nice delicate printing on small parts?
If I had one I'd try it but, I dont... yet.

looking at getting one that can engrave the parts I make, and still be good for my son to use making RC planes... I'm guessing it's more about nice tight stages and well-focused beams? Can a machine with say... maybe 16X20 working area still be counted on to engrave numbers on parts acceptably?

[underthetire]

Well, we have a small 40x60 250watt at work that does a good job as well. Focus and alignment, and turn down the power. You should have no problem.

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[SoCalPlaneDoc]

Well let's hope. My finger is on the trigger and it's starting to twitch

you have any examples?.. be interesting to see what a cannon looks like when it's making scratches

[wmgeorge]

The higher the power the larger the dot size. A 80 watt or 60 watt is a good all around laser engraver, Dot size still very good for fine engraving and enough power to cut most stuff a hobby person would want. If your doing strictly cutting then 100 watts on up. Glass tube DC machines should only be ran at 90% power max, RF metal tubes in a room or not over 80 degrees or so can run at 100% without issues.
Don't try to get by with a cheap laser off eBay. I have good luck with my LightObject and the advertised ones on here are ok also.

[epilotdk]

Don't go by percentages, check the actual current.

[underthetire]

Well let's hope. My finger is on the trigger and it's starting to twitch

you have any examples?.. be interesting to see what a cannon looks like when it's making scratches

Cannon, oh no my friend. 250 watts is still a toy. Now the 3kw systems are starting to get fun, and the 500 tw system is frightening to me. Beam size has nothing to do with the actual power output, that's all in the tube and focal lenses. Even our small 400 watt fixed optic yag has a smaller kerf than my 40w home laser.

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[CO2LaserMark]

Yes,i have the experience for engraving anodized alumium.
This is my work video:

Hope it can help you

[wmgeorge]

Cannon, oh no my friend. 250 watts is still a toy. Now the 3kw systems are starting to get fun, and the 500 tw system is frightening to me. Beam size has nothing to do with the actual power output, that's all in the tube and focal lenses. Even our small 400 watt fixed optic yag has a smaller kerf than my 40w home laser.

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Yag and fiber lasers have by nature a dot size about 10x smaller than a CO2 the same wattage. What I posted above is for practical use in hobby / small business doing laser engraving and cutting, not industrial $100,000 plus machines.

[SoCalPlaneDoc]

This youtube vid answers the questions fairly well.. I wonder if a fiber laser can cut thin wood like the CO2?

https://youtu.be/m7YkhI6lPOU

[epilotdk]

No, fiber does not work with wood.

[speedythinker]

Just did quick anodized(black) test on our PR530 laser machine.


I didn't use high speed but 400mm/s. Power is 11% and scan gap is 0.05

[GavinFu]

For engraving anodized alumium ,I recommend fiber laser marking machine.80W co2 laser engraving machine is not a good choice,
Hope to help you

[Nolan Yang]

yes,80w machine can engrave anodized aluminum.
Lower power is suitable for engraving, higher power is suitable for cutting.
And co2 laser machine not only can engrave anodized aluminum, but also wood, acrylic, glass and so on.
We made many samples already, you can visit our website and have a look

Anodized Aluminum - Thunder Laser

[SoCalPlaneDoc]

When did CNCZone become a venue for Chinese advertisement?

[SoCalPlaneDoc]

Just did quick anodized(black) test on our PR530 laser machine.


I didn't use high speed but 400mm/s. Power is 11% and scan gap is 0.05

nice... who makes the tube? and the power supply?

[speedythinker]

We used SPT 850mm 40W for our PR530 machine. The power supply is our own 40W PWM laser power supply that you can find it in our website LightObject
Next thing I'm going to do is to do rotary engraving and will post the result it soon