* General guide only, there are many crossovers and caveats, please contact us for more details.
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Laser Engraving Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is as versatile as it is strong. Used in thousands of applications across the world, this useful metal is used in a wide range of industries from construction and catering to automotive and healthcare sectors.
Today, laser cutting and laser marking technology plays a critical part in the manufacturing of stainless steel applications.
CREATE
Properties of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a thin layer of chromium oxide which protects it from corrosion, rust and oxidation. This resistance to corrosion is what makes stainless steel the first choice for a range of applications and is the reason why it’s so widely used in both big industries and smaller scale businesses across the world.
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Laser Marking Stainless Steel
When it comes to laser marking stainless steel, your options are truly infinite. From traceability marking to company branding and even personalised gifting options, the sky’s the limit. So what laser sources are suitable for this application?
MOPA Fiber
Fiber laser marking is used to mark the surface of an object. When a fiber laser meets stainless steel it removes the surface material, essentially carving the surface by chemical and physical changes. These changes are caused by light energy (photons) reacting in the target area.
MOPA fiber lasers produce less heat than other laser sources. This makes it a particularly good choice of laser for marking stainless steel because it reduces the damage to the material and therefore increases its resistance to corrosion.
UV Laser
UV lasers create permanent and corrosion-resistant markings on stainless steel. With a spot size 3x smaller than a fiber laser, the UV marking process is extremely fine and controlled, making it ideal for delicate, accurate marking.
A UV laser source produces significantly less heat than other wavelengths such as CO2. It’s considered a form of ‘cold marking’, which means materials are less prone to damage or heat stress when marked by a UV laser.
This laser source is ideal for marking stainless steel surfaces for a range of sectors, including medical, because the surface texture is unchanged once it’s marked. This makes it an incredibly sterile way of marking surgical equipment. However, if you are looking to deeper engrave stainless steel, a MOPA Fiber laser would be more suitable.
Machine
Recommendations
Whether you’re an industrial manufacturer or a small business, we have the right laser machine to meet your needs for marking stainless steel. From traceability marking on production lines to personalised laser etching jewellery and branding, our laser machines are designed to do it all.
As one of the first commercially available UV laser marking machines, the Meta-C UV is able to mark practically anything. Designed to serve the commercial and industrial sectors, built with our time-tested Meta-C chassis, with a projected working life of over 15 years.
| Beam Delivery | Laser Type | Power (W) |
| 3D (3-Axis) | Ultraviolet | 5-15 |
We know of no other MOPA fiber laser marking machine on the market today at this price point that delivers the performance and functionality of µMeta. Built using the same high-grade components as the rest of the Meta line, just more compact, boasting x17 waveforms making it ideal for colour marking and difficult materials.
| Beam Delivery | Laser Type | Power (W) |
| 2D (2-Axis) | MOPA Fiber | 30-60 |
First introduced in 2012 and now in it's 7th incarnation, the Meta-C MOPA fiber laser engraving machine is built for 24/7 use over decades, it has a track record of near zero failures over millions of flawless operations and features our latest 3D laser head (3-Axis).
| Beam Delivery | Laser Type | Power (W) |
| 3D (3-Axis) | MOPA Fiber | 30-80 |
Versatile
Different Laser Marking Techniques
Annealing Marking
This method creates a colour change on the surface of the stainless steel through controlled heating, without removing any material. The result is a subtle, contrasting mark that retains the original finish of the metal.
Etching Marking
Etching involves removing a thin layer of the stainless steel surface to create a deep and precise mark. This technique is ideal for high-contrast, long-lasting marks, often used in serial numbers or barcodes.
Engraving Marking
Engraving involves vaporising the stainless steel surface, creating a deeper and more prominent mark compared to annealing. This technique is commonly used for decorative markings and branding purposes.
FLEXIBILITY
Colour Marking Stainless Steel
In recent years technology has evolved to allow for colour changing of certain metals. Using a 1µm wavelength fiber laser, it’s possible to replicate colours with laser marking to produce an extremely impressive aesthetic on a range of applications. Stainless steel offers the widest range of controllable colour changes, allowing you to produce effects of gold, purple, brown, blue, green and red. Whilst not a fast result to achieve, this method of replicating colours with laser marking produces a clean, sleek and permanent finish, unlike the alternatives of print or paint processes.
LIMITATIONS
Laser Cut Stainless Steel
Laser cutting is undoubtedly a valuable tool for processing stainless steel, offering high precision and efficiency. However, it’s essential to recognise and understand its limitations to make informed decisions regarding its use. Material thickness, heat affected zone, cutting edge quality, reflectivity, and material warping are all challenges that must be considered when employing laser cutting for stainless steel applications. By being aware of these limitations, engineers and manufacturers can make better choices, optimise their processes, and achieve the best possible results in their laser cut stainless steel endeavours.
Examples
Fiber Laser Videos
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Meta C 60w Fiber laser engraving green powder coated bottle
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Meta C 60w Mopa Fiber laser engraving automotive part
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Meta C 75w CO2 laser engraving powder coated bottles
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Meta C 75w CO2 laser engraving a ceramic mug
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Meta C 60w MOPA fiber laser engraving tools on 1 2m conveyor feed
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uMeta laser engraving the inside of rings
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uMeta laser marking a high quality photo to a keychain
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Meta C MOPA fiber laser marking plastics
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uMeta laser engraving steel and aluminium with some depth
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