A good understanding of laser technology is essential whether you are acquiring your first laser table, diversifying your production capabilities, or developing in-house know-how for engraving and cutting. This guide covers everything you need to know about laser tables: how they work, the different laser sources available, machine composition, safety considerations, essential accessories, and the factors that influence pricing.
The Fundamentals of Laser Technology
The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is essentially a concentrated ray of light. Under specific conditions and depending on the configuration of the laser, applying this beam of light to a material can allow it to be engraved, cut, or marked.
Engraving, Marking, and Cutting
Laser technology enables three distinct processes, each suited to different applications:
- Engraving: The laser heats the surface of the material until it removes a thin layer. It penetrates into the material, creating a visible and tactile mark.
- Marking: The laser does not remove material. Instead, the surface reacts to the beam and changes colour or appearance, producing a permanent but surface-level mark.
- Cutting: Similar to engraving but with increased exposure time and/or power. The laser penetrates completely through the material, cutting wood, paper, plastic (such as acrylic), rubber, and more into precise shapes.
Advantages of Laser Technology
Laser technology enables contactless processes -- the beam and the material interact without physically touching each other. This provides three major advantages:
- More productive operations: No risk of the part being moved during processing. No need to clamp parts with a dedicated mechanism, saving significant time compared to traditional mechanical engraving.
- Durable machines: No part of the laser machine wears out mechanically due to impact or friction against the workpiece. There are no wearing parts to replace regularly.
- More versatile work: Laser makes it possible to combine engraving, marking, and cutting in the same operation. You can engrave text, logos, or photos with ease on a wide variety of materials.
Laser Tables vs Laser Stations
These two types of laser machines are distinguished by their operation, applications, and uses.
Laser Tables (Gantry Lasers)
A laser table engraves the material line by line, much like a printer. The work plate can move up or down vertically to adapt to the height of the object being engraved. Laser tables are ideal for engraving large parts and also allow for engraving, serial marking, die cutting, and cutting of parts. They are the right solution for almost all engraving and cutting jobs, used extensively in signage, personalization, and creative applications. They adapt to all types of environments, from professional workshops to FabLabs and retail shops.
Laser Stations (Galvanometric Lasers)
A laser station is equipped with a laser head fixed in height and adjustable. The beam moves to mark or engrave the part using a set of mirrors reflecting the laser beam at high speed. This makes it possible to obtain a permanent marking in just a few seconds. Laser stations are preferred for rapid engraving work, particularly in the field of industrial traceability or in-store personalization of objects. However, the engraving area is more limited compared to laser tables.
The Composition of a Laser Table
A laser table is composed of several key components that work together to deliver precise engraving and cutting results:
- Laser source: Generates the laser beam. This is the heart of the machine and determines what materials can be processed.
- Mirror system: Directs and reflects the laser beam from the source to the lens and onto the workpiece.
- Lens: Focuses the laser beam to a fine point for precise engraving or cutting.
- Work surface: The flat area where materials are placed for processing. Its size determines the maximum workpiece dimensions.
- Control panel: The interface for operating the machine, adjusting settings, and monitoring progress.
- Fume extraction (rear): Removes smoke, particles, gases, and odours generated during laser processing.
- Door: Provides access to the work area and acts as a safety enclosure during operation.
The Different Laser Sources
The characteristics of the laser and its effect on the part being processed depend in part on the laser source. Some beams do not interact with certain materials, so you must choose your laser source based on the material to be transformed and the result you want. Gravotech offers laser table models with a CO2 source, a fiber source, or both in the same table (called Edge technology).
CO2 Laser
CO2 laser tables are the most widespread on the market. The gas contained in the source is excited by an electric current to generate a laser beam. CO2 lasers are suitable for marking or cutting parts made of organic materials (wood, glass, stone, ceramic, leather, paper) or plastics (PMMA, acrylic) including coated metals such as anodized aluminium or varnished brass. CO2 laser sources come in two quality levels:
- Glass tube: Used for entry-level machines. Requires water cooling, operates at speeds below 1 m/s in engraving, and has a lifespan of up to 2 years.
- Metal source (sealed source): A more expensive but superior option. Cooled by ambient air, capable of high-speed engraving and cutting, with a lifespan of up to 10 years and more precise engraving results.
Fiber Laser
In a fiber laser, an electric diode emits radiation that is captured by an optical fiber. This laser source is effective for work on metal parts -- aluminium, brass, steel, bronze, and copper. Fiber lasers are therefore used primarily for industrial marking and personalization of metal parts.
Combined Laser Sources (Edge Technology)
It is possible to combine fiber and CO2 sources within a single laser table using Gravotech's Edge technology. This allows you to choose one source or the other depending on the material to be engraved or cut, providing maximum versatility from a single machine.
Dimensions and Physical Specifications
Laser table dimensions vary depending on the model chosen. Key physical specifications to consider include:
- Marking area: Ranges from 45 x 30 cm for the smallest models up to more than 100 x 60 cm for the largest. Choose your Gravotech machine according to the objects to be engraved or cut.
- Machine size: Machines can be between 40 cm long (the equivalent of an office multifunction printer) and 1.20 m, though some walk-in models can be around 2 m long and 1 m deep.
- Machine weight: Approximately 40 kg to 250 kg, depending on the model. The ratio between the working area and overall machine size is optimized to guarantee a productive working space without unnecessary loss of floor space.
Safe Use of Laser Tables
All laser tables on the market are equipped with a class 4 laser source, the most powerful classification. However, manufacturers can add additional protections (enclosures, doors, closed systems) to downgrade the machine's classification and protect operators. Understanding laser safety classes is essential:
Class 1 and Class 2 Laser Machines
When using class 1 machines, no laser radiation escapes from the machine. They can therefore be used safely with no additional protection required. Class 2 machines operate on a similar principle -- no laser radiation from the main source can escape. Some machines include a red laser pointer for positioning assistance, which is class 1 or 2 and safe for use. Class 1 and 2 machines can be used in workshops and are safe for operators without additional protective equipment.
Class 4 Laser Machines
Class 4 lasers are dangerous. Direct exposure or even reflection can damage the skin and especially the eyes of operators. Their use must be in a dedicated and secure environment -- they cannot be used in a place open to the public -- and operators must wear suitable protective glasses depending on the laser source.
If a manufacturer does not mention the laser protection class of a machine, it is likely class 4. Gravotech laser tables are exclusively class 2, usable without additional protection thanks to their enclosed safety design.
Essential Laser Table Accessories
Laser tables can be equipped with several accessories to diversify capabilities, improve work quality, or protect the machine and operators:
- Fume extractors: Suck up dust and filter chemical compounds released during laser processing. Their 3-stage extraction system includes particle filters and a carbon filter to eliminate odours. Essential for user health, engraving quality, and machine longevity.
- Cutting tables and honeycomb supports: Minimize contact points between the material and the machine table during cutting. They protect the object and the bottom of the laser machine, limit reflections from the laser, prevent return beam marks on the opposite surface, and allow better air circulation for improved smoke evacuation. Particularly useful for cutting acrylic.
- Cylinder turners: Allow you to engrave the edge of cylindrical parts such as bottles, flasks, and glasses by making them rotate during engraving.
- Lenses: The essential optical element of a laser table. Focal length varies from one model to another. A short focal length is more suitable for high-precision engraving, while a long focal length allows better penetration and therefore better cutting of thick materials. You can change the lens according to your applications and needs.
- Blowing noses: Blow air into the incision produced by the laser during cutting, releasing dust and material particles. They produce a cleaner result and protect the lens from dust deposits, reducing cleaning requirements and extending its lifespan.
Pricing Considerations
You may have noticed significant price differences between laser tables from different brands. Several factors explain these disparities:
- Quality of the laser source: Glass tube or sealed metal source -- the latter is more expensive but lasts much longer and produces better results.
- Choice of components: Component quality impacts lifespan, reliability, and the quality of work produced.
- Class of the laser: A class 2 machine with additional safety enclosures generally costs more than an unenclosed class 4 machine.
- Power: Gravotech offers tables from 25 W to 150 W. The thicker the material to be cut, the more powerful the laser must be. An 80 W laser will cut approximately twice as fast as a 40 W laser.
- Working speed: Entry-level machines typically operate at 0.5 to 1 m/sec, while high-end machines achieve 2.5 to 4 m/sec. Better quality machines can therefore be up to 5 times faster.
Why Choose Gravotech
The machines offered by Gravotech are designed for efficient and secure professional use. Choosing Gravotech laser tables means choosing machines composed of metal sources (sealed sources) for longevity and quality, exclusively class 2 for safe operation without additional protection, with certified components meeting current standards, and among the fastest on the market with engraving speeds of up to 4 m/s. As a manufacturer, Gravotech provides appropriate training, a comprehensive service offer, long-term availability of spare parts, and real expertise in repairs.
Conclusion
Laser tables are versatile, powerful tools that can transform your production capabilities across engraving, marking, and cutting applications. Understanding the differences between CO2 and fiber laser sources, knowing the safety classifications, and selecting the right accessories are all critical to making an informed investment. Whether you are working with wood, acrylic, metals, leather, or other materials, the right laser table configuration will deliver the precision, speed, and quality your business demands.