Buy a fiber laser? Tips what to pay attention to when purchasing.

Buy a fiber laser? Tips what to pay attention to

Buying a fiber laser machine is a considerable investment for most companies, which is why it is smart to orient yourself well in advance about what is offered. At first glance, fiber laser machines from different suppliers are very similar, but there are differences. At MetaQuip we believe in machines that in practice mainly work practical, fast and safe. This is also reflected in our machines. Below is a brief summary of points that we think a good fiber laser should meet.

Safety of fiber laser machines

MetaQuip fiber lasers use a laser source of 1064nm. The laser light is not focused for a large part of the entire light path from laser source to object, so it has too little power to cause damage to your body. You can even run your hand through it. The laser light itself is invisible, however when the laser light hits the object it is fully focused and a very intense light spot is created for a very short time. Think of a light spot as with laser welding: so do not look in. There are a number of options to protect your eyes, the simplest is the use of laser glasses as we recommend when using an open fiber laser, a version where you always have free access to the object. We also have a closed fiber laser, a version in which the object is placed in a cabinet, so that it is impossible to look into the laser light. What best suits your situation depends on your wishes and requirements and who will use the device.

All MetaQuip machines have CE, but more importantly, all laser machines are inspected in the Netherlands for electrical, machine and laser safety by an external accredited inspection company. The test reports are always available for inspection at MetaQuip.

Open or closed fiber laser?

The open model is the most flexible option in terms of freedom of movement. Placing larger objects is simple and, above all, fast, because there is no cupboard that has to be opened all the time. In addition, the open model can easily be used for a (volume) series production by means of object placement tools. MetaQuip can help you with the realization of such placement tools. We use a normal, relatively large door for the closed MetaQuip fiber laser. This allows you to easily place objects, especially compared to solutions based on a sliding door or smaller door.

Power of a fiber laser machine

We recommend 30W laser power for most applications. It allows you to engrave most materials. If you want to engrave deeper, you can edit the object in a number of consecutive steps, creating extra depth with each step. We also have a 50W + version, with which you especially gain engraving speed.

Fiber laser software

We have extensively described the software supplied in our EzCAD tutorial. Importing graphic objects (image and vector), fast drawing yourself, entering text or (automatic numbering) serial numbers is quick and easy.

Advice and support for fiber laser production applications

Buying a fiber laser is more than just buying the machine. The machine is only part of the total solution. How to use the machine to achieve the maximum result for one or more applications usually requires some research. Research to achieve the maximum engraving result on a new material or other special requirements, such as for example realizing accurately determined depths or effects, is in which MetaQuip has extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience. Together we find out what is possible and put this together into easy-to-use solutions, also for non-technical users.

More information

More information about the different fiber laser metal engraving machines and possibilities.