What is a diode laser engraver?
A diode laser engraver is a type of laser engraving machine that uses a diode laser as its source of laser light. Laser engravers are used for precision etching, marking, or engraving on various materials, such as wood, acrylic, glass, metal, leather, and plastics. Diode laser engravers have become increasingly popular due to their compact size, efficiency, and affordability compared to other types of laser engraving machines like CO2 lasers or fiber lasers.
What material is best for a diode laser?
Diode laser engravers are commonly used for marking various materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, paper, cardboard, fabric, and some types of metals. However, their capabilities on metals are generally limited compared to fiber lasers.
Below is a list of materials that can be safely used in a diode laser:
Metal – A diode laser can engrave metals by vaporizing the surface layer. To achieve contrasting results when engraving on stainless steel or gold, a metal marking spray or paste like CerMark is recommended.
Plastic – A diode can cleanly cut and laser engrave and produces high-contrasting marking plastics such as acrylic (PMMA), cast acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate), and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
Wood - Diode lasers are excellent for engraving and cutting wood, as they can create intricate designs and detailed engravings on wooden surfaces.
Leather/Faux Leather – Diode lasers are well-suited to laser engrave and cut and can create intricate designs, patterns, and text on various leather products.
Slate/Bamboo - Diode lasers are often used to engrave and mark organic materials because they create fine details and high-resolution images.
The heart of a diode laser engraver or diode laser marker is a semiconductor diode laser. When an electrical current is applied to the diode laser, it becomes "active." This current stimulates the semiconductor material, causing it to emit photons in the form of laser light.
The laser light is then directed through a series of optical components, including lenses and mirrors, to focus the beam into a very small, precise point. This focused laser beam is what allows for engraving or marking with high precision.
