How to cutting foil with 355nm uv laser engraver
Oct 19 , 2023A 355nm UV laser engraver uses a UV (ultraviolet) laser source that emits at a wavelength of 355 nanometers. UV lasers, especially those operating at 355nm, are part of the "third harmonic generation" lasers and are often derived from tripling the frequency of a 1064nm Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4 laser.
1.1 Cold Processing:
The primary advantage of a 355nm UV laser is its ability to perform what's referred to as "cold processing." This means that the laser interaction produces minimal heat-affected zones (HAZ), which is crucial for sensitive materials that might be damaged by heat. The short wavelength allows for high photon energy, which can break molecular bonds directly, leading to material ablation without significant heat generation.
1.2 Applications:
Micro-machining: Such as drilling, cutting, and milling of sensitive materials.
Marking & Engraving: Especially on plastics, glass, ceramics, and some metals where traditional lasers might produce melting or burning.
Electronics Manufacturing: For cutting, scribing, or marking components without introducing heat.
Medical Devices: Precision engraving on sensitive tools and devices.
High Resolution & Precision: The short wavelength of the UV laser allows for very fine and precise marks, which is advantageous for applications requiring intricate details.
Material Interaction: UV lasers can interact with a material at a molecular level, making them suitable for polymers, some metals, and biological tissues.
Expensive: UV laser systems are typically more expensive than their infrared counterparts (like fiber or CO2 lasers) due to the complexities involved in generating UV light and the optics required to handle it.
Maintenance: UV lasers can require more maintenance and care compared to other laser types. The optics can be sensitive to contamination and might need regular cleaning or replacement.
Cutting foil with a 355nm UV laser involves selecting the appropriate power based on the thickness and type of the foil. UV lasers are advantageous for cutting foils as they offer high precision and minimal heat-affected zones.
1.1 Foil Material: Different materials absorb UV radiation differently. For instance, a polymer foil might interact differently with the laser compared to a metallic foil.
1.2 Foil Thickness: Thin foils require less power compared to thicker ones. Using excessive power on thin foils can lead to unwanted damage or burning.
1.3 Desired Cutting Speed: Higher power can accommodate faster cutting speeds, but there's a trade-off between speed, precision, and edge quality.
1.4 Laser Beam Quality: A laser with a high-quality, focused beam might achieve cutting at lower power levels than one with a less coherent beam.
1.5 Laser Pulse Parameters: Pulse duration and frequency can also impact the cutting process and might require adjustments alongside power settings.
2.1 Low Power: 1-5W might be suitable for very thin foils or for slower, more precise cuts.
2.2 Medium Power: 5-10W can be a good starting point for most standard foils.
2.3 High Power: 10-20W+ might be needed for thicker foils or for high-throughput applications.
However, these are just ballpark figures. The ideal way to determine the best power setting is to conduct test cuts on the specific foil material in question. Start at a lower power and increase incrementally until achieving the desired cut quality and speed. Always ensure that the laser beam is properly focused, and consider other parameters like pulse duration, frequency, and assist gases (if any) for optimal results.
| rameter | Thin Gold Foil (e.g., < 20 µm) | Medium Gold Foil (e.g., 20-50 µm) | Thick Gold Foil (e.g., > 50 µm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power (Watts) | 5W - 10W | 10W - 20W | 20W - 40W | Adjust based on foil thickness and laser type. |
| Speed (mm/s) | 100 - 200 | 50 - 100 | 10 - 50 | Slower speeds for thicker foils. |
| Pulse Frequency (kHz) | 30 - 50 | 20 - 30 | 10 - 20 | Higher frequency for thin foils. |
| Pulse Duration (ns) | 10 - 20 | 20 - 50 | 50 - 100 | Shorter pulses for thin foils. |
| No. of Passes | 1 | 1 - 2 | 2 - 3 | Multiple passes for clean cuts in thick foils. |
| Focus | Optimal Focus | Optimal Focus | Optimal Focus | Ensure a sharp, focused beam. |
| Assist Gas | Air/Oxygen/Nitrogen | Air/Oxygen/Nitrogen | Air/Oxygen/Nitrogen | Helps to eject molten material and reduce oxidation |
Shenzhen RFH Laser Technology Co.,Ltd was founded in 2007 with headquarters in Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park, branch offices in Wuhan and Suzhou and production base in Huiyang.
As the leading industrial solid-state laser manufacturer, RFH laser company offer 355nm ultraviolet laser, 532nm green laser and customized laser for a broad range of commercial, industrial, and scientific applications.
After 13 years of development, RFH now has an industrial laser oriented R&D team made up of top professionals and experts from both home and abroad. Its R&D departments cover engineering, laser and electric. In addition, RFH has obtained 15 national patent certificates and 14 software copyright certificates and is certified as “High Tech Enterprise”, “Shenzhen High Tech Enterprise” and “Software Enterprise” as well as the council member of Guangdong 3D Printing Industry Innovation League and Guangdong Laser Industry Association.
Orienting to serve laser end users and system integrators, RHF’s products cover from green laser to deep UV laser whose pulse power, average power and pulse repetition rate are applicable in various laser applications, including consumer electronics, electronics circuit, packaging & printing, solar power, lithium battery, semiconductor microelectronics, panel display, jewelry, biomedicine, automobile and aerospace. RFH lasers are widely used in SLA 3D printing, high precision marking & drilling & cutting, laser welding, laser plastic & metal welding, laser medicine, surface removal, wire stripping and laser inner engraving.
Cooperation brand
RFH has a complete product line and rigorous quality control system. Production is performed in dust-free workshop. Rigorous control by QC department in incoming materials, production, product check & acceptance and delivery guarantees the performance and quality of the product.
