Noob - Help with machine selection to engrave and cut 0.5mm metal

Sasquatch · November 26, 2023, 4:44pm

By looking at your photo of the watch dial it looks like your graphics might be 3D

3D means dynamic focusing. Compared with ordinary 2D fiber laser machines, like @jkwilborn referred to.

3D laser marking machines use a different laser heads. Regular 2D fiber Laser Machines like the 30W OMTECH use 2D galvo scanning head which have only two mirrors, while the 3D fiber Laser machine uses a 3D Dynamic focus scanning head .3D scanning heads have three mirrors. The third mirror can be moved back and forth. This is the key technology of 3D laser engraving machine.

There are three main applications for 3D laser marking machines. Including curved engraving, Embossing laser engraving and large-working Area engraving.

Curved laser engraving

The 3D fiber laser Machine working area is usually below 300x300mm. It can be used to engrave curved and Ball surfaces. Unlike rotary engraving, 3D curved surface engraving has a very high accuracy, automatically adjusts the focal length,Mainly 3-axis dynamic focus technology and layered engraving technology. According to the different points in the working area, the focus is automatically adjusted through the machine software control, so that the 3D fiber laser marking machine can make molds and stamps, copper coins, mold steel and other materials. and works faster.

Embossing laser engraving

Embossing laser engraving is as popular as Curved laser engraving. It can be used to make many things like molds , Retro coins and watch faces like the example you showed, etc. The purpose is mainly for deep engraving material.

The 2D laser machine can do deep engraving however all the depths are the same, on the same plane. 3D laser engraving can reach different depths, behaving like a three-dimensional pattern, with a three-dimensional effect. It makes a pattern more vivid like the dragons in your watch example.

Large-working area engraving.

The maximum working area size of the 2D laser engraver is 300*300mm. Using a 3D laser engraver machine, working area can be up to 600x600mm.

NOW for the bad news. Lightburn will not be able to run a 3D fiber laser however other users have been able to print STL files which give you a 3D effect.