Fiber-Laser-user-guide

Shop Area: Rapid Prototyping Tool: Fiber Laser Engraver Requires in-person training: Yes

Procedure Number UG 120-03, Rev. 0

Date 12/12/2023

GENERAL

Fiber Laser

Material test on stainless steel

The 80 watt SFX MOPA fiber laser is used to engrave metals, some plastics, and can even generate color on stainless steel and titanium. The laser is controlled using the LightBurn software, just like the CO2 lasers, but there are more variables to control using the fiber laser. The five key variables are:

1. Power
2. Speed
3. Interval (line spacing)
4. Frequency
5. Q-Pulse (pulse width)

Each of these variables plays an important role in creating the engraving you desire. Below are reasonable ranges of values you can expect to use for each of these variables; however, the specific values you need for your project are best found by using LightBurn's Material Test tool, which generates a table of engravings that modify two variables at a time. This tool can be found in Laser Tools -> Material Test Generator.

Parameter	Units	Typical Range	Full Range
Power	%	0 - 100	0 - 100
Speed	mm/s	500 - 2500	0 - 7000
Interval	mm	0.001 - .01	0.0001 - .1
Frequency	KHz	50 - 200	1 - 4000
Q-Pulse	nS	20 - 80	2 - 500

SAFETY

• The lasering process may generate smoke and gasses that can harm you and damage the machine. Research the material you're cutting and use the fume extractor to minimize these gasses.
• Lasers are a fire hazard. Keep extinguishers close and NEVER leave the machine unattended.
• Do not look directly at the laser beam. The fiber laser outputs in the 1024nm wavelength and requires appropriate eye protection.
• The high intensity laser beam can produce extremely high temperatures and significant amounts of heat.
• The fiber laser is not enclosed, can be very quiet, and is not visible. Please let others in the room know when you are firing the laser so that they can look away. Also keep hands outside the firing area while in operation.

REFERENCE

• Beginner Fiber Laser Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=166k8PRUnWQ
• LightBurn Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdqMW3F_iIU
• Suggested Fiber Laser Settings: https://www.lasertips.org/
• Science of laser surface coloring: https://pubs.aip.org/aip/app/article/4/5/051101/123334/Surface-coloring-by-laser-irradiation-of-solid
• SFX Fiber Laser User Manual: SFX Fiber Laser User Manual.pdf

PROCEDURE

1. Set your material on the work surface. The M6 threaded holes on the work surface can be used to hold and/or align your material. The grid pattern should be perfectly aligned with the laser, so if it is not, please let staff know.
2. Adjust the height of the laser head so that the correct focal distance is achieved. This is done by turning on the red laser indicator with the button under the monitor. You should see a red laser line and a laser dot. Use the handwheel on top of the laser to move the head until the line and dot overlap one another.
3. LightBurn is the software for controlling the laser. Ensure at the bottom right of LightBurn that the JCZFiber device is selected. The remaining workflow follows that of the CO2 lasers.

Settings for Cutting

Example settings for cutting .016" metal.

The laser cutter can cut thin sheet metal. To do so, power should be at 100% and speed at 100mm/s or slower. Increasing Q-Pulse to the maximum (500) and adjust frequency as needed for sharpness and clarity. Most cutting operations will require multiple passes (usually 10 or more). Metal may warp during the cutting, so it is recommended to use hold downs around your piece. A scrap pieced under your material will save the laser bed from deep marks and engravings.

Rotary Engraving

The laser cutter can perform rotary operations using the U-axis. The general procedure is as follows:

1. Navigate to Tools > Rotary Settings. Click the Enable Rotary button and set either the Object Diameter or Object Circumference to match your part's dimensions.
2. Use ‘Start from current position’ in Lightburn
3. Jog x and y on the control panel to move the laser to the required starting point on the work
4. Press ‘Origin’ button on the control panel
5. Send job (not start) from Lightburn to laser
6. Load file from control panel by pressing File -> filename. Then run job by pressing start button on control panel.
7. DO NOT FORGET to disable rotary when finished. Tools > Rotary Settings, deactivate Enable Rotary. Otherwise the machine will not work for the next person.