How fast do laser engravers operate?

The operating speed of a laser engraver depends on several factors, including the laser power, the type of laser, and the material being cut or engraved. In general, softer materials will be processed faster with a more powerful laser, while harder, denser materials will limit the speed of laser engraving.

The speed of the laser engraving machine

Laser engraving machine speeds are typically measured in inches per second (ips). Most entry-level benchtop laser engravers engrave materials such as wood, acrylic, and plastic at speeds of 2 to 10 inches per second. Mid-range lasers in the 50–100 watt range can engrave at speeds of about 10 to 30 inches per second. High-end fiber or CO2 lasers with 200 to 500 watts of power can engrave at speeds of 30 ips or more.

speed of laser cutting

Softer materials are cut faster, while harder and thicker materials require slower cutting and engraving speeds. In addition, the power of the laser engraver also affects the cutting speed. As the laser's output power increases, you can process materials faster, shorten the work cycle, and increase productivity. In addition, the thickness of the material will also affect the cutting speed.

The type of laser will also affect the speed. In general, fiber lasers can run faster than CO2 lasers, especially for metal cutting and marking. However, CO2 lasers offer a great advantage in high-speed cutting and engraving of non-metallic materials.

Conclusion

The speed of a laser engraver is dependent on a variety of factors, such as power, material, optics, and laser type.