Welcome to Nano Mark. It’s your one - stop resource for learning how to turn ideas into precision - etched creations. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned professional, this guide walks you through core concepts, equipment choices, material compatibility, software tools, and safety best practices. Along the way, we’ll share links to our site, Nano Mark by CodingMachine, so you can explore our laser engraving solutions.
Laser engraving is a non - contact process. It uses a focused laser beam to vaporize or ablate material. This creates high - contrast, permanent marks on many surfaces. Unlike mechanical engraving, lasers don’t wear out bits or need inks—they rely on computer - controlled precision to “draw” your design directly into wood, acrylic, metal, leather, stone, and more.
Key advantages:
High precision: Spot sizes can be as small as an few microns.
Durability: Marks resist fading, abrasion and chemicals.
Versatility: It works on virtually any material.
Choosing the right laser for your projects depends on your budget and the materials you plan to engrave. The main types are:
They use a gas mixture to generate infrared light (10,600 nm).
They’re ideal for non - metals like wood, acrylic, glass, leather and fabrics.
They’re popular for signage, crafts and decorative work.
Example: OMTech 50W CO₂ with dual workbeds and LightBurn compatibility.
They’re solid - state lasers emitting around 1,064 nm.
They’re excellent for metals like stainless steel, aluminum, brass.
They offer high speed and low maintenance for industrial marking and nameplates.
They’re often used in manufacturing, medical device marking and electronics.
They’re affordable (1 W–20 W), compact semiconductors.
They’re best for lightweight engraving on wood, plastic and coated metals.
They’re entry - level option for hobbyists.
They have shorter wavelengths (355 nm UV, 532 nm green) with minimal heat effect.
They’re perfect for delicate or heat - sensitive materials like glass, certain plastics, ceramics.
They’re used in micro - etching, electronics and medical components.
| Material Type | Recommended Laser | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood (hard/soft, plywood) | CO₂ | Smooth, dry hardwoods yield best contrast. |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | CO₂ | Produces frosted edges; available in multiple colors. |
| Leather | CO₂, Diode | Genuine leather engraves cleanly; avoid PVC-coated. |
| Plastic (ABS, Delrin) | Fiber, CO₂ | Test additives; some release toxic fumes. |
| Anodized Aluminum | Fiber, YAG | Laser bleaches color for high-contrast marks. |
| Stainless Steel | Fiber, Nd:YAG | Requires pulsed lasers to avoid melting. |
| Glass & Stone | UV, CO₂ | Engraves by micro-fracture; UV yields smoother finish. |
Laser engraving employs a high-intensity beam to melt and evaporate material along predefined paths. As the focused spot races across the surface:
Ablation: Radiation intensity causes localized melting and partial vaporization.
Groove Formation: Evaporation pressure expels molten material outward, solidifying at the edges to form a U-shaped groove with depths typically between 10 μm and 50 μm.
Heat Control: Small spot sizes and ultra-short pulses constrain heat-affected zones, protecting surrounding material and allowing for precision marking.
This process can be fine-tuned by adjusting pulse frequency, pulse duration, and beam power, making laser engraving highly adaptable to diverse materials and quality requirements.
Depending on parameters and substrate interaction with ambient oxygen, laser engraving yields two primary contrast effects:
Mechanism: Molten substrate reacts with air to form a dark oxide layer on roughened surfaces.
Appearance: Deep black (steel, brass, copper) or dark gray (aluminum).
Applications: Durable identification plates, automotive VIN marking, and QR code backgrounds—where high light absorption ensures legibility.
Appearance: Bright white on galvanized or dark-colored metals.
Applications: Electronics housing, medical device marking, and high-contrast QR codes (combining black and white zones for optimal scan performance).
The combination of black and white engravings is particularly advantageous for encoding complex data matrices or QR codes, boosting readability under varying lighting conditions.
Design Preparation
Create or import vector (SVG) or raster (PNG) files.
Optimize for contrast: black on white for engraving; invert as needed.
Material Loading
Secure the workpiece on the bed.
Focus the laser: use an manual gauge or auto - focus feature if available.
Parameter Configuration
Adjust power, speed and frequency based on material.
Run an small test engrave to confirm settings.
Ventilation & Waste Capture
Enable exhaust fans or air assist.
Clear debris between passes for consistent results.
Engraving & Finishing
Monitor for fires or material damage.
Post - cleaning: brush or vacuum loose particles; apply finish if wood.
Q: How deep can laser engraving go?
Depth depends on laser power and material, ranging from shallow surface marks (10 μm) up to 1 mm or more with high - power pulsed systems.
Q: Can I engrave reflective metals with an CO₂ laser?
No—most metals reflect 10,600 nm CO₂ light. Use an fiber or Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm) for metals.
Q: What file formats are supported?
Commonly: SVG, DXF, AI for vectors; BMP, PNG, JPG for rasters. Check your software’s compatibility.
Q: How do I maintain my laser engraver?
Keep optics clean, lubricate rails, check belt tension, and verify exhaust filters regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
Q: Is laser engraving suitable for production?
Absolutely. Many industries rely on laser marking for traceability, serialization and decorative work, combining speed with minimal tooling costs.
Ready to start your laser engraving journey? Visit Nano Mark by CodingMachine to explore our full lineup of laser systems, materials and accessories—and turn your creative visions into reality!
Contact: Jason
Phone: +8613337332946
E-mail: [email protected]
Add: Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
