At first glance this seems like sort of a simple question, but these terms get interchanged all of the time. If you were to think it through, this could cause confusion on both the buyer and the equipment provider sides, causing mistakes and mishaps in configuring the right machine for the job. Laser cutting acrylic
I've been active in the laser business since 1986, presently with Trotec, but previously with several types of laser companies who provide both standard and custom equipment for a wide variety of applications. In that point I have always worked closely with the Applications Technicians who're tasked with determining the feasibility of a task and specifying the right process AND laser for the job. So this is what I learned from them over the years.
Laser Engraving Laser cut timber
This is the most typical term and simply defined, means that in the process of creating the mark, material is removed or vaporized during the process. An example in our business is CO2 laser engraving plastic for signage. This is often a two-ply plastic with one color called the "cap" laminated to a contrasting color called the "core ".The engraving process removes the cap and exposes the core to make a sign that has a nice-looking look. There is also engraving in the processing of metals. Typically used to guarantee permanence, material is removed to generate depth. Usually this is a process reserved for 1,064nm wavelength lasers (YAG for example) as those forms of lasers couple well with metals. When engraving metals this way the laser is breaking the machined surface of the thing, so oxidation or rusting can occur as a result. This would be a question during the time of feasibility testing. "Do you want depth? In that case can you know that the base material could oxidize? With respect to the answer the following option could be Laser Marking.
This is the most typical term and simply defined, means that in the process of creating the mark, material is removed or vaporized during the process. An example in our business is CO2 laser engraving plastic for signage. This is often a two-ply plastic with one color called the "cap" laminated to a contrasting color called the "core ".The engraving process removes the cap and exposes the core to make a sign that has a nice-looking look. There is also engraving in the processing of metals. Typically used to guarantee permanence, material is removed to generate depth. Usually this is a process reserved for 1,064nm wavelength lasers (YAG for example) as those forms of lasers couple well with metals. When engraving metals this way the laser is breaking the machined surface of the thing, so oxidation or rusting can occur as a result. This would be a question during the time of feasibility testing. "Do you want depth? In that case can you know that the base material could oxidize? With respect to the answer the following option could be Laser Marking.
Laser Marking
Annealing or precipitation marking is commonly used when processing metal items where the top of the part must stay intact. Often stuff like surgical implants, surgical instruments or high precision bearings require this sort of marking. With laser marking, heat of the laser actually redistributes the carbon in the material to make a jet black mark with only micron level surface disruption. If done right you will see no oxidation or rusting even under salt spray tests or autoclaving. Some plastics like ABS and Delrin also allow for a wonderful contrast when processed with a 1,064nm laser. In the event that you processed exactly the same material with a CO2 laser you'd get an engraved marked without contrast. This is all a matter of wavelength and how it reacts to the material OR the pigment in the material.
Annealing or precipitation marking is commonly used when processing metal items where the top of the part must stay intact. Often stuff like surgical implants, surgical instruments or high precision bearings require this sort of marking. With laser marking, heat of the laser actually redistributes the carbon in the material to make a jet black mark with only micron level surface disruption. If done right you will see no oxidation or rusting even under salt spray tests or autoclaving. Some plastics like ABS and Delrin also allow for a wonderful contrast when processed with a 1,064nm laser. In the event that you processed exactly the same material with a CO2 laser you'd get an engraved marked without contrast. This is all a matter of wavelength and how it reacts to the material OR the pigment in the material.
Laser Cutting Click here
This may also be confused with laser engraving but really means totally sectioning a bit or cutting shapes directly through material. Most laser cutting is conducted with CO2 lasers as again they interact with the material as opposed to the pigment within the material. We work a great deal with acrylics which is often useful for signage, retail displays and many other applications. While cutting, special attention is taken for smooth cuts and what is a called "flame polished edges ".There are occasions where high powered, pulse YAGs are useful for metal cutting but even with your materials, high powered CO2's seem to accomplish the very best job. In the cutting world, another technology that is used is water jetting which also does a wonderful job on metal and stone. Cutting does not always mean thick materials though. Other common applications are paper cutting, leather sectioning and even things like gasket cutting
This may also be confused with laser engraving but really means totally sectioning a bit or cutting shapes directly through material. Most laser cutting is conducted with CO2 lasers as again they interact with the material as opposed to the pigment within the material. We work a great deal with acrylics which is often useful for signage, retail displays and many other applications. While cutting, special attention is taken for smooth cuts and what is a called "flame polished edges ".There are occasions where high powered, pulse YAGs are useful for metal cutting but even with your materials, high powered CO2's seem to accomplish the very best job. In the cutting world, another technology that is used is water jetting which also does a wonderful job on metal and stone. Cutting does not always mean thick materials though. Other common applications are paper cutting, leather sectioning and even things like gasket cutting
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