The laser is instructed to make the engraving or cuts based on the color of the stroke given to the vector element, red is typically for cutting and black is for engraving. Stroke widths for cutting is kept to a .0001 pt width or hairline width. Two different laser types are used for the process depending on product (i.e., organic or metal/plastics).
CO₂ lasers (gas lasers)
CO2 laser are gas lasers that are based on a carbon dioxide gas mixture, which is stimulated electrically. With a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers, they are mainly suited for working on non-metallic materials and on most plastics. CO2 lasers have a relatively high efficiency and feature a very good beam quality. They are therefore the most widely used laser types. Suited for the following materials: Wood, acrylic, glass, paper, textiles, plastics, foils & films, leather, stone.
Fiber lasers
Fiber lasers belong to the solid state laser group. They generate a laser beam by means of the so-called seed laser and amplify it in specially designed glass fibers, which are supplied with energy via pump diodes. With a wavelength of 1.064 micrometers, fiber lasers produce an extremely small focal diameter; as a result their intensity is up to 100 times higher than that of CO2 lasers with the same emitted average power.
Fiber lasers are optimally suited for metal marking by way of annealing, for metal engraving, and for high-contrast plastic markings. Fiber lasers are generally maintenance-free and feature a long service life of at least 25,000 laser hours. Suited for the following materials: Metals, coated metals, plastics.
