Process automation today represents the greatest demand of the industrial market, which must meet very high production requirements and adapt to increasingly aggressive competition, in which time often plays a key role. The greatest consequence of this is the search for high-performance tools and technologies that are adaptable to different requirements.
In the world of laser marking and its endless applications, when talking about efficiency and flexibility we certainly put fiber optic lasers at the top of the list, which, in today’s market, are certainly the most widely used in companies that make use of this technology.
What is fiber optic laser?
The fiber laser represents one of the most advanced and widely used technologies in the field of industrial laser marking. This particular type of laser uses a ytterbium-doped optical fiber as the active medium to generate the laser beam. Unlike conventional lasers, the fiber laser is distinguished by its outstanding energy efficiency and the superior quality of the light beam produced. In the specific context of laser marking, this technology has revolutionized the industry because of its millimeter accuracy and ability to work on a wide range of materials, such as metals and plastics. The fiber laser marking system is characterized by its compactness, minimal maintenance required and long operating life, which can exceed 100,000 working hours. These features, combined with high process speed and the ability to produce high-quality permanent markings, have made the fiber laser the preferred choice for numerous industrial applications, from product traceability to component customization.
How does it work?
The fiber laser belongs to the family of solid-state lasers and is distinguished by its innovative operating principle. Unlike conventional lasers, the laser beam generation process begins with a low-power “seed” laser, whose beam is progressively amplified through a series of ytterbium-doped optical fibers. Amplification occurs through pumping diodes, which supply energy to the fiber through direct coupling, eliminating the inefficiencies caused by air gaps present in conventional systems.
The fiber laser structure is characterized by its integrated “all-fiber” architecture, where all critical components-the active fiber, fiber combiners, and pump laser diodes-are directly connected to the main fiber through permanent splices. This configuration is a significant advantage over diode or lamp lasers, where components are separate and mounted on a platform with mechanical alignments that can deteriorate over time.
The technical performance of the fiber 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 equal power. The electro-optical conversion efficiency exceeds 30 percent, an exceptional value that translates into low power consumption on the order of a few hundred watts. The cooling system, which is simpler than conventional lasers, contributes to the overall reliability of the device, ensuring an operating life of more than 100,000 hours.
The process of laser beam generation can be schematized into three main stages:
- Initial generation: seed laser produces a low-power base beam
- Amplification: the signal passes through ytterbium-doped fibers, where pumping diodes provide the energy needed 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 fiber lasers, varying in performance and power. From the traditional fiber laser, which is suitable for marking all metals and most plastics, we move to the MOPA and Picosecond variant.
- The MOPA laser is distinguished by its ability to control pulse duration. This favors marking plastic components while avoiding burning and smearing. On metal, the main advantage is the ability to make color markings.
- The Picosecond laser has three times the speed of the conventional laser. It is distinguished by its very black, impalpable, glare-free markings, particularly used in the medical industry. It is also capable of marking on glass where many lasers fail.
Fiber lasers supplied by LASIT can be integrated into various marking systems, either stand-alone or in-line.
Application fields of the fiber laser
The fiber laser brands on all metals and most plastics. If we take into account its MOPA and Picosecond variants, the range of possible applications increases even more, to cover most needs. Consequently, we can say that the fiber laser is suitable for:
Automotive
We mark metal, cast, die-cast components with indelible DMC codes, performing marking durability tests to ensure traceability. For Automotive lighting plastics LASIT makes systems for sprue cutting and aesthetic marking of interiors and headlights.
Home appliance
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 chains to pens, mugs and water bottles, for which we have created specific systems.
Faucets
We mark the surface of the faucet, ensuring the durability of the marking and thus the durability of the manufacturer’s brand even on surfaces exposed to wear and tear.
Medical
We mark plastic and metal instruments and prostheses, particularly the latter with Picosecond technology that guarantees indelible, black, impalpable, and reflection-free markings.
Tools
We mark all tools, from cutters to blades, ensuring the permanence of engraving over time.
Molding plastics
With the fiber laser, we can mark all components arising from molding machines, regardless of shape and color.
