YAG Laser Engravers vs CO2 Laser Engravers

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YAG Laser Engravers vs CO2 Laser Engravers

Posted On : Apr-12-2010 | seen (510) times | Article Word Count : 372 |

When it comes to laser engraving and plate (cliché) making, there are two types of laser engraving machines that dominate the market. First, there are CO2 laser engravers, a carbon dioxide gas laser system. The other type of laser is the YAG laser engravers, an yttrium aluminum garnet system. The question is: which laser system is better? The answer depends upon the use for the laser.

The CO2 laser engraver is a gas based laser system that utilizes infrared technology to etch an image onto an object. The CO2 laser engraver can etch images on materials ranging from plastic, wood and glass to aluminum; however, the beam is not easily absorbed by most metals.

The YAG laser engraving system uses yttrium aluminum garnet that is a synthetic crystalline material. Energy is used to excite this element to produce a reaction, which results in a laser beam. A YAG laser engraver is best used for products made of metals/coated metals such as metal plates, pens, flashlights, etc. The wavelength of a YAG laser is ten times smaller than that of a CO2 laser, resulting in a smaller spot size for more accurate images.

Both YAG and CO2 laser engravers are excellent for etching clichés for pad printing machines. Software can be installed onto a computer that is used to control the depth of the etch, which results in better ink laydown when printing. Because computer to plate method produces first generation etch, clichés made by YAG or CO2 laser engravers are better resolution than chemically etched photopolymer clichés.

To summarize, the primary difference between the two types of laser etching machines are what materials they can etch on. The YAG is best suited for metals and the CO2 is best suited for non-metals such as wood or plastics. The YAG laser is smaller in spot size, which results in more detailed images; the CO2 spot size is larger, limiting the type of image that can be etched. The YAG laser engravers are generally more expensive than the CO2 laser engravers.

Hence there is no “best” laser engraving machine because each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. It all depends upon the usage of the laser etcher.

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<h1>YAG Laser Engravers vs CO2 Laser Engravers</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Alex Lewey.aspx'>Alex Lewey</a> When it comes to laser engraving and plate (cliché) making, there are two types of laser engraving machines that dominate the market. First, there are CO2 laser engravers, a carbon dioxide gas laser system. The other type of laser is the YAG laser engravers, an yttrium aluminum garnet system. The question is: which laser system is better? The answer depends upon the use for the laser.

The CO2 laser engraver is a gas based laser system that utilizes infrared technology to etch an image onto an object. The CO2 laser engraver can etch images on materials ranging from plastic, wood and glass to aluminum; however, the beam is not easily absorbed by most metals.

The YAG laser engraving system uses yttrium aluminum garnet that is a synthetic crystalline material. Energy is used to excite this element to produce a reaction, which results in a laser beam. A YAG laser engraver is best used for products made of metals/coated metals such as metal plates, pens, flashlights, etc. The wavelength of a YAG laser is ten times smaller than that of a CO2 laser, resulting in a smaller spot size for more accurate images.

Both YAG and CO2 laser engravers are excellent for etching clichés for pad printing machines. Software can be installed onto a computer that is used to control the depth of the etch, which results in better ink laydown when printing. Because computer to plate method produces first generation etch, clichés made by YAG or CO2 laser engravers are better resolution than chemically etched photopolymer clichés.

To summarize, the primary difference between the two types of laser etching machines are what materials they can etch on. The YAG is best suited for metals and the CO2 is best suited for non-metals such as wood or plastics. The YAG laser is smaller in spot size, which results in more detailed images; the CO2 spot size is larger, limiting the type of image that can be etched. The YAG laser engravers are generally more expensive than the CO2 laser engravers.

Hence there is no “best” laser engraving machine because each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. It all depends upon the usage of the laser etcher.About the Author: For more insights and further information about pad printing machines, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.inkcups.com/">CO2 laser engravers</a>, and screen printing machines visit our site <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.inkcups.com/">http://www.inkcups.com</a> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_YAG-Laser-Engravers-vs-CO2-Laser-Engravers_16071.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_YAG Laser Engravers vs CO2 Laser Engravers_16071.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_YAG Laser Engravers vs CO2 Laser Engravers_16071.aspx

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For more insights and further information about pad printing machines, CO2 laser engravers, and screen printing machines visit our site http://www.inkcups.com

Keywords : pad printing machines, CO2 laser engravers, screen printing machines,

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