What & Why is CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting
Laser engraving is the practice of using laser to engrave or cut an object. A computer system is used to drive the movements of the laser head. Very precise and clean engravings can be achieved at a high rate. The technique does not involve toolbits which contact the engraving surface and wear out. This is considered an advantage over alternative engraving technologies where bit heads have to be replaced regularly.

A laser engraving machine can be thought of as three main parts: a laser, a controller, and a surface. The laser is like a pencil - the beam emitted from it allows the controller to trace patterns onto the surface. The controller (usually a computer) controls the direction, intensity, speed of movement, and spread of the laser beam aimed at the surface. The surface is picked to match what the laser can act on.

How does a laser beam work?
Generation of a Laser Beam

The term "LASER" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers amplify light by absorbing and radiating energy. Laser radiation is created in a laser source by supplying a concentrated energy to a laser medium, like a CO2 gas compound to stimulate or "pump" atoms to spontaneously emit light. An energy source is used to generate this concentrated energy such as a high intensity lamp. The laser medium is located between two mirrors, creating a laser resonator that amplifies light continuously and produces a specific wavelength of laser light. One of the mirrors, the coupling mirror, is partially permeable to this specific wavelength and allows some of the laser light to escape. Laser light is then passed through a lens to focus it into an extremely high energy density laser beam.

Laser Beam Performance

Due to the exceptional dynamics of the laser beam and its remarkable high energy density, it can be applied to process materials with excellent results. Laser processing can be accomplished through many methods by adjusting the parameters of the laser, although the most popular applications use vaporization or melting of the target material. Using positioning mirrors, the laser beam can be directed over large distances without any loss in efficiency. These mirrors are generally controlled by accurate X-Y Plotter mechanics. We use sealed-off CO2 gas laser tube because these types of lasers have been proven to produce high-quality, consistent results. The laser beam provides a universal, non-contact, wear-free production material processing solution that is economical to operate and simple to implement. A laser beam is ideally suited for engraving and cutting operations.

Laser Processes Introduction
Laser processing varies based on the absorption rate of the specific laser wavelength by the target material and the technique selected for the application. By adjusting the parameters of the laser, it can be used to accomplish the following techniques:
Laser engraving

During the laser engraving process, the target material is essentially vaporized by the laser beam. To achieve this result, the intensity of the laser beam is set to exceed a specific threshold value. This threshold intensity is particularly high with materials that are electrically conductive, such as metals. The result is often a cone-shaped indentation influenced by the laser beam profile and the heat conductivity of the target material. The laser engraving technique is typically the fastest way of processing material.
Laser Cutting

With laser cutting, a plate-type material is separated by a focused laser beam. Basically, there is a choice between laser beam fusion cutting and laser beam sublimation cutting. With laser beam fusion cutting the material, e.g. acrylic, is melted or vaporised. With sublimation cutting, the material, e.g. wood, is vaporised by missing out the liquid phase.

Advantage of Laser Engraving and Cutting

Laser Engraving

ASC365 engravers are designed to deliver quick, clean, quality results for a broad range of needs.

It¡¯s safe. Laser engraving is an abrasion-free, contact-free process that does not require any adjusting or clamping of the material to be engraved. Unlike traditional cutting machines, laser engravers don¡¯t expose users to open, moving parts ¨C making them as safe to use as a CD player or microwave oven.
It¡¯s clean. Clean edges and fine detail aren¡¯t the only things that are "clean" about laser engraving; it¡¯s also better for the environment, especially when combined with one of Trotec¡¯s advanced laser exhaust systems.
It¡¯s fast. Lasers offers the highest speeds on the market for engraving, delivering better productivity and output over conventional systems such as saws, routers, etc.
It¡¯s simple. Trotec¡¯s laser engraving machines can be operated with the ease-of-use of a laser printer, using standard graphic layout programs and quick, one-touch commands ¨C and deliver high-quality output whether the user is a novice or a laser engraving expert.
It makes business sense. Laser engraving machines deliver top quality, reliability and power, so even elaborate engraving jobs can be done in a snap. Offering maximum productivity for a range of applications.
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Laser Cutting

Whether you are die-cutting or laser cutting acrylic¡­whether you are in the field of architecture or woodworking¡­whether you are working with ceramics or cardboard¡­laser cutting has never been so simple, accurate, and fast!

  • It¡¯s fast. Lasers offer the highest cutting speeds on the market, delivering higher output and better productivity than conventional cutting systems.
  • It's flexible. Laser equipment can be easily adjusted to fit your exact laser cutting needs, whether you¡¯re working in batch mode or mass production, or need to cut materials in a range of different sizes.
  • It's smart. Laser cutting equipment works with built-in cameras to collect reference points and automatically control the positioning of the laser to ensure the highest accuracy - even if your originals are distorted, twisted, or dilated.
  • It's safe. Laser cutting is a contact-free process that does not require any adjusting or clamping of the material to be cut. Laser cutting systems never expose users to open, moving parts ¨C so they¡¯re as safe to use your everyday CD player or microwave oven! Plus, all of Trotec¡¯s laser cutting machines meet the highest of safety class standards.
  • It¡¯s simple. ASC365 laser cutting machines can be operated with the same ease-of-use as a laser printer, using standard graphic layout programs and quick, one-touch commands. That means you¡¯ll always get high-quality output, whether you¡¯re a new user or a laser expert.
  • It¡¯s clean. Laser cutting delivers clean, sharp edges, every time, with no frays. And Trotec¡¯s laser systems are clean in another way, too ¨C they¡¯re built with the environment in mind, eliminating dust and fumes, especially when used in conjunction with one of our advanced laser exhaust systems.
  • It makes business sense. Laser cutting machines deliver top quality, reliability, power and speed.

Application Area
CO2 laser engraving is suitable for advertisement, arts and crafts, garment, leather, toy, upholster, embroidery, packing and printing, paper product, tailoring, , shoemaking, furniture , model industry, and other industries, can be used to handle wood, bamboo, double-color planks, organic glass, crystal, plastic, garments, paper, leather, rubber, glass and other nonmetal materials. If you want to make sure if this laser engraver can engrave or cut a certain item, welcome to send us a sample and we will test it for you and give you detailed engraving and cutting data.