Lasers and their applications have come a long way from simply being an idea to a cool thing you can see in movies and shows. Today, lasers can be used on so many things, it’s more than just a light source now, it can be used to cut and engrave. So, what is laser engraving?
Breaking the words down, a laser is an item that produces or emits a narrow beam of light. Meanwhile, engraving is a technique to imprint on an object through cutting or carving. So by definition, laser engraving is a practice or technique to engrave on items by using lasers.
How it Works
Knowing what is laser engraving is quite different from actually understanding its process. It might be a little confusing or hard to wrap your head around at first. To create laser-engraved items, you will need a laser engraver machine. This machine then uses a high-powered laser that can physically remove or vaporize the surface of an object.
When you think about it, it’s kind of a regular inkjet printer, except instead of adding ink onto paper, the laser engraver will remove the surface where the ink should go. When you start off, you have a design in mind, which will be added to a program. This program will then send the design to the laser engraving machine and start engraving on the material you put inside it.
Uses of Laser Engraving
You might be surprised that a number of items have marks on them that are made with a laser engraving machine. Laser engraving is widely used in production lines and today it has become popular among the crafting community too. Here are just some of the few uses of laser engraving:
Personalization
If you want to permanently put a name on just about any belonging you have, laser engraving is an excellent choice. Laser engraving is also popular for adding details on giveaways for weddings and birthdays as well as trophies for sporting events.
Decoration
Your imagination is the limit when it comes to using a laser engraving machine for decorating. You can create any design on just about any surface that you can think of. From placemats and notebooks to phone cases and wallets and more.
Identification
One of the most important uses of laser engraving is in the manufacturing industry. If you open up your computer or phone, you might notice its batteries and parts have names on them. These are usually created with a laser engraving machine as they can handle even the tiniest of materials.
Advantages of Laser Engraving
There’s a reason why laser engraving is used in many industries. Here are the advantages of using laser engraving.
Very Precise
One thing that laser engraving machines can really offer is precision. As mentioned above, laser engraving can be used on small items as it is very precise. Even if you need a series of numbers on a microchip, you can be sure a laser engraving machine can produce legible content.
Ability to Handle Different Media
The trouble with other types of lasers and engraving methods is they can only be used for a specific type of material. With laser engraving, you can pretty much use anything, this can be wood, metal, plastic, and more. In culinary and food styling, laser engraving can even be done on fruits such as oranges and watermelon.
Safe to Use
There are of course some guidelines to follow when using a laser engraving machine but it is definitely safer as it does not require any contact with you. As long as you don’t look directly at the laser beam or place any part of your body in the machine, you’ll be fine. It’s unlike other engraving methods where you have tools that you need to use with your own hands.
Long-Lasting Results
With the best 3D laser printer engraver you will be able to produce markings and signs that will last for a very long time. It’s even possible to use it on textiles and cloth, the designs you make will never wash out or fade. The same goes for other types of materials like wood and metal.
Recap: What is Laser Engraving?
To sum up what is laser engraving? It is a method to create designs or place texts on solid materials by using a laser. It has a wide range of applications, is cost-effective, and offers amazing precision.
