FIBER LASER

Fiber Lasers

A fiber laser has an output of 1064 nm and is offered in two variants, the Q-switch and MOPA. Fiber lasers operate by either pulsing or continuously broadcasting the light onto the part. For fiber marking lasers, they are all pulsed lasers. Continous wave fiber lasers are usually 200 watt or higher and are for cutting metal.

The Q-Switch operates by pulsing energy (amplified light) onto a part. The pulse cannot be modified in terms of duration and is fixed. These are considered standard fiber lasers in the marketplace. Industry standards are 1-200 kHz, while the Automark AMFQ series line operates at 1-400 kHz. Our Q-Switch lasers provide a higher frequency than others in the marketplace allowing a greater range of printing capabilities.

The MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) allows for the pulse of the laser to be adjustable. This allows for finer detail as the substrate around the affected area is not transformed by continuous waves of heat. In addition to the pulse duration, the frequency itself is expanded to allow greater control. The frequency is 1-1,000 kHz, which means a larger amount of substrates, like polypropylene and marking white on PA plastics can be marked. The high degree of contrast also continues with the ability to mark black on aluminum and multiple colors on stainless steel.

MOPA fiber laser systems are also the choice for many medical applications as they are seen as more permanent surviving repeated cycling during sterilization.

Automark U Series Upright Fiber Laser

Automark O Series Open Fiber Laser

Automark E Series
Enclosed Fiber Laser

Configurations

We offer three main laser configurations. The U series (Upright), O series (Open) and the E series (Enclosed). The U and E series share a viewing window and Class I reduction of the Class IV laser. The U and O series have 300 mm work areas, whereas the E series has a 200 mm work area. All laser specifications are the same across the lineup. For firearms, the O series is popular as it allows the full length of the firearm to be rest under the laser.

Substrates

Laser Marking 1mm Titanium Wire

Substrates can include titanium, brass, steel, nickel, iron, aluminum and other metal alloys. Fiber lasers can mark limited ceramics, polypropylene, PA, and other thermoplastics. To see if we can mark your part, feel free to reach out to us as we offer free part marking.

Speed

15% Faster than the Leading Competitor

Our Automark AMFQ and AMFM line of fiber lasers operate at 7000 mm/s, approximately 15% faster than other leading competitor’s lasers, meaning higher throughput and greater return.

Safety

Lasers are regulated by the FDA due to the radiation they emit and they are classified based on the damage they can do to skin and eyes. A class I laser is a laser that is totally enclosed with no way for the beam to escape. This is similar to a laser printer and cannot cause eye or skin damage with normal use.

A class IV laser is the highest classification of laser meaning they can cause skin and eye damage, and class IV specifically can cause damage if viewed indirectly. A laser, when properly used is extremely safe.

Operator safety is paramount, so we offer an entire line of lasers that take a Class IV laser, and turn it into a class I laser by enclosing it in a sealed box. This is the E line of fiber lasers. If your company is seeking a laser and would like to further discuss the safety aspects an Automark rep can answer questions and guide you. Feel free to contact your Automark rep today.

Round Part Marking

A standard laser has a focal point with a tolerance based on the distance from the lens. This varies and depends on the lens size selected. This focal height is only a few millimeters. A round part is challenging for two reasons. The first reason is the distance is changing as the slope of the Z-axis declines around the part. The second reason is because the certerpoint of the galvanometer is creating a “longer” traverse to create the same image. This means that if a person was to use a standard, 2D, laser to mark a round part, they may get elongated markings as the beam trails off over the edges.

To counter this we can use two separate systems independently or together. Rotary.

We can use a rotary to hook the part onto and spin the part. The rotary feeds information into the laser, so the laser knows where it needs to mark. This is done if greater than 120 degree printing is required. Smaller rotaries, like 50mm are perfect for rings and small items, whereas, the larger 100mm rotaries are perfect for mugs and firearms. 3D Laser System

A second way is to use a 3D laser system. This is a laser specifically built that dynamically changes the focal point inside the system. This provides the ability to print from 60 degrees to 100 degrees of the part.

Moving Parts

We offer laser solutions for moving parts like bottling operations, assembly lines, and conveyor belt part marking. Special photography can be implemented to identify part orientation so fixtureless printing is capable. For details on this and other more customized solutions, contact your Automark representative to discuss your program in detail.

FIBER LASER