UV Laser and Its Settings

1. What is a UV Laser Engraver

A UV laser engraver uses 355 nm ultraviolet light for precise marking with minimal heat, preventing charring or discoloration. Its short wavelength enables nano-level detail, ideal for sensitive materials like glass, plastics, PCBs, medical devices, and more.

UV Laser Compared to Other Laser Types

Visit https://commarker.com for more laser engravers.

2. Laser Engraving Settings

These settings determine engraving depth, speed, and overall quality:

A. Marking Mode

Flat Mode: Engraves on flat surfaces.	Roller Mode: Engraves cylindrical objects placed on rollers (constant diameter).
Chuck Mode: Fixes objects on a rotary axis using a chuck; suitable for various shapes.	Extension Mode: Uses a slide extension for extended engraving.

B. Speed

1. Unit: mm/s
2. Definition: The scanning speed of the laser beam.
3. Faster speeds = shallower engraving; slower speeds = deeper engraving.

C. Frequency

1. Unit: KHz
2. Definition: The number of laser pulses per second. Higher = cleaner vertical cuts; lower = softer edges, less power.

D. Pulse Width (also known as Q-Pulse)

1. Unit: ns (nanoseconds)
2. Definition: Duration of each laser pulse. Shorter pulses produce finer details, while longer pulses result in deeper, darker marks.

E. Interval (also known as Line Interval)

1. Unit: mm
2. Definition: The spacing between adjacent laser lines. Smaller values yield denser fills and higher precision.

F. Passes

1. Definition: Number of times the same pattern is engraved. More passes can deepen the pattern or cut material.

G. Material

1. Definition: Different materials require different parameter settings for optimal results.

H. Fill Type (also known as Hatching)

1. Definition: The pattern or direction of laser filling; affects the final texture.

I. Focus / Z-Height

1. Focal Length: Distance from the lens to the focused point.
2. Z-Height = Factory focal length – Material height
3. Purpose: Proper focus ensures optimal results. Incorrect focus can lead to blurring, burning, or no marking.

Note：

If autofocus is enabled, no manual adjustment is needed.

For manual focus, calculate Z-height using the formula above.

Note:  

Factory focal length varies depending on the field lens used. Refer to the manual for the correct values for each lens.

J. Power

Note：

For UV lasers, power is controlled indirectly via frequency and pulse width, not direct percentage.

K. Images vs. Vector Graphics

Images

1. Formats: .png, .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg
2. Use Cases: Photos, illustrations, reliefs.

Tips:  
Since it's pixel-based, the image may lose clarity when scaled.
To improve engraving results, adjust the grayscale and threshold settings to enhance detail.

Vectors

1. Formats: .dxf, .plt, .ai, .svg, .pdf
2. Use Cases: Logos, text, QR codes, technical designs.