Process automation is today in the largest demand on the industrial market, which must meet very high production requirements and adapt to an increasingly aggressive competitiveness, in which time often plays a fundamental role. The most important consequence of this is the search for high performance tools and technologies that can adapt to different needs.
When we speak of efficiency and flexibility in the world of Laser Marking and its infinite applications, we certainly place fiber lasers in first place. In today’s market, these are by far the most used in companies that use this technology.
What is the fibre optic laser?
The fibre laser represents one of the most advanced and widely used technologies in the field of industrial laser marking. This particular type of laser uses an optical fibre doped with ytterbium as the active medium to generate the laser beam. Unlike conventional lasers, the fibre laser is characterised by its outstanding energy efficiency and the superior quality of the light beam produced. In the specific context of laser marking, this technology has revolutionised the industry with its millimetre accuracy and ability to work on a wide range of materials, such as metals and plastics. The fibre laser marking system is characterised by its compactness, minimal maintenance required and long service life, which can exceed 100,000 working hours. These features, coupled with the high process speed and the ability to produce high-quality permanent markings, have made the fibre laser the preferred choice for numerous industrial applications, from product traceability to component customisation.
How does it work?
The fibre laser belongs to the solid-state laser family and is distinguished by its innovative operating principle. Unlike conventional lasers, the laser beam generation process starts with a low-power ‘seed’ laser, whose beam is progressively amplified through a series of ytterbium-doped optical fibres. Amplification occurs thanks to pumping diodes, which supply energy to the fibre through direct coupling, eliminating the inefficiencies caused by air gaps present in conventional systems.
The structure of the fibre laser is characterised by its integrated ‘all-fibre’ architecture, where all critical components – the active fibre, fibre combiners and pump laser diodes – are directly connected to the main fibre via permanent splices. This configuration represents a significant advantage over diode or lamp lasers, where the components are separate and mounted on a platform with mechanical alignments that can deteriorate over time.
The technical performance of the fibre laser is remarkable: it operates at a wavelength of 1064 µm and, thanks to its extremely small focal diameter, achieves an intensity 100 times higher than CO2 lasers of the same power. The electro-optical conversion efficiency exceeds 30%, an exceptional value that translates into low energy consumption in the order of a few hundred watts. The cooling system, simpler than conventional lasers, contributes to the overall reliability of the device, guaranteeing an operating life of more than 100,000 hours.
The laser beam generation process can be schematised in three main steps:
- Initial generation: the seed laser produces a low-power base beam
- Amplification: the signal passes through ytterbium-doped fibres, where pumping diodes provide the energy required for amplification
- Emission: the laser beam, now amplified and highly focused, is emitted with optimal characteristics for marking
What does LASIT offer?
LASIT offers a wide range of fibre lasers, differing in performance and power. From the traditional fibre laser, which is suitable for marking all metals and most plastics, we move on to the MOPA and Picosecond variants.
- The MOPA laser is distinguished by its ability to control pulse duration. This favours the marking of plastic components while avoiding burning and smearing. On metal, the main advantage is the possibility of marking in colour.
- The Picosecond laser has three times the speed of the conventional laser. It is distinguished by its black, impalpable, reflection-free markings, which are particularly used in the medical industry. It is also capable of marking on glass, where many lasers fail.
The fibre lasers supplied by LASIT can be integrated into various marking systems, either stand-alone or in-line.
Application fields of the fibre laser
The fibre laser marks all metals and most plastics. If we take into account its MOPA and Picosecond variants, the range of possible applications increases even further to cover most requirements. Consequently, we can say that the fibre laser is suitable for:
Automotive
We mark metal, cast and die-cast components with indelible DMC codes, carrying out marking durability tests to ensure traceability. For automotive lighting plastics, LASIT produces systems for cutting sprues and aesthetic marking of interiors and headlights.
Household appliances
We brand oven panels and small appliance components such as buttons and knobs.
Electronics
We brand all electronic components, such as circuit breakers, residual current devices and relays.
Hydraulics
We directly mark small valves and pumps, and metal plates to be affixed to components that cannot be placed on the machine or in-line.
Promotional
We are experts in the automatic marking of metal and plastic gadgets, from key rings to pens, mugs and water bottles, for which we have developed specific systems.
Faucets
We mark the surface of the faucet, guaranteeing the durability of the marking and thus the resistance of the manufacturer’s brand even on surfaces exposed to wear and tear.
Medical
We mark plastic and metal instruments and prostheses, in particular the latter with Picosecond technology that guarantees indelible, black, impalpable and non-reflecting marks.
Tools
We brand all tools, from cutters to blades, guaranteeing the permanence of the engraving over time.
Moulding plastics
With the fibre laser we can mark all components from moulding machines, regardless of shape and colour.