Laser Engraving Copper: Application Strategies of Fiber Laser and UV Laser
Laser Engraving Copper（Pure）: Application Strategies of Fiber Laser and UV Laser
Characteristics of Copper（ Pure） Material
Pure copper refers to a metallic material with a copper content typically above 99%, also known as purple copper or red copper. Its most notable characteristics are excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, second only to silver among all industrial metals. Therefore, it is widely used in products such as copper busbars, copper terminals, cables, battery connectors, and electronic components.
Challenges of Laser Engraving Copper（ Pure）
Pure copper is harder to laser engrave than brass or bronze due to high reflectivity and thermal conductivity, which reduce efficiency for a fiber laser machine. For industrial parts like busbars, a 50W fiber laser machine with optimized parameters is key. For fine detail, a UV laser engraver delivers higher precision.
Laser Engraving Copper（Pure） vs. Other Processes
Copper Processing Methods Comparison
| Process | Precision | Depth Capability | Speed | Cost | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Engraving | High | Medium | High | Medium | Very High |
| CNC Machining | Medium-High | High | Medium-Low | Medium-High | Medium |
| Chemical Etching | Medium | Low | High (batch) | Low | Medium |
| Stamping | Medium | Low | Very High | High (mold cost) | Low |
| Hand Engraving | High | High | Very Low | High | High |
It is recommended to focus mainly on laser engraving. Compared to other processes, laser engraving copper is more flexible, offers higher precision, requires no molds, and has moderate overall cost. It is particularly suitable for fine marking and traceability applications such as QR codes and serial numbers.
In addition to engraving copper, fiber lasers for many other metal materials. Click to learn more.
Suitability of Fiber and UV Lasers for Copper（Pure） Engraving
Fiber laser (high peak energy + heat accumulation)
- High power density (≥50W) provides strong instantaneous energy
- High-frequency pulses stack energy
- Forms micro-oxide layer to boost absorption
- Multiple passes create mark via heat accumulation
UV laser (short wavelength + photochemical action)
- Shorter wavelength → better absorption by copper
- Higher photon energy
- Cold ablation
- Nearly no thermal diffusion
Difficulties and Solutions for Fiber Laser Machine and UV Laser Engraver on Copper（Pure）
1. Fiber Laser (wavelength ~1064 nm)
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| High copper reflectivity (>90% at 1064 nm) reflects most laser energy. | Use >50W pulsed mode, pre-treat surface to form oxide layer, and apply multiple passes. |
2. UV Laser (wavelength ~355 nm)
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| UV lasers absorb well but low power limits depth/speed. | Use cold ablation (photochemical effect) and multi-pulse overlapping for micron precision; optimize beam shaping. |
Application Cases of UV Laser Engraving Machine and Fiber Laser for Copper（Pure）
Practical Operation of Fiber Laser and UV Laser Engraver on Copper（Pure）
1. Operational Points for Fiber Laser Engraving of Copper
Copper surface preparation:
Bright/reflective copper easily reflects laser light; a light sandblasting or oxidation treatment can be applied first to increase absorption. For highly reflective pure copper plates, a high‑power, short‑pulse mode can also be used.
Machine settings:
Use a focusing lens with a small spot size (100–160 mm focal length) to increase power density. It is recommended to engrave with an assist gas (nitrogen / air) to avoid oxidation and spatter.
Engraving modes:
High‑speed marking mode is suitable for QR codes and serial numbers. Multi‑pass scanning or deep engraving mode is suitable for art pieces and commemorative medal engraving.
Safety and heat dissipation:
Copper has high thermal conductivity; intermittent processing is recommended to avoid local overheating and warping. For thick copper parts or continuous large‑area processing, auxiliary air cooling / water cooling is required.
2. Operational Points for UV Laser Engraving of Copper
No pre‑treatment required:
The ultraviolet short wavelength (355 nm) is well absorbed by copper, so bright/polished copper can be processed directly. Particularly suitable for micro‑circuits, PCB marking, and micro QR codes.
Engraving modes:
Typical pulse widths are 10–20 ns or shorter, with high repetition rates (50–200 kHz). Mainly used for shallow engraving, surface marking, or copper removal processes.
Minimal heat effect:
UV laser is a cold processing method; the surface hardly turns black and electrical conductivity is not damaged.
How to realize fiber laser marking for metal or other products? This video shows the EZCAD software tutorial from Ezcad laser setting to Ezcad laser marking. MimoWork fiber laser marking machine provides a precise laser marking method on Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Metal, Alloy Metal, PVC, and other non-metal materials. By the guide of EZCAD operation, you can achieve a continuous high speed and high precision, high repeatability fiber laser marking.
title="How to use EZCAD Software | Fiber Laser Marking | MimoWork Laser"
frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share"
referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"
allowfullscreen
loading="lazy">
Back to Contents
Recommended Parameters for Fiber and UV Laser Engraving Copper（Pure）
Fiber Laser Engraving of Copper
| Parameter | Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Laser power | 20–100 W (typical for industrial/desktop systems) |
| Pulse frequency | 20–80 kHz (recommended 35–40 kHz) |
| Scanning speed | 100–2000 mm/s (recommended 300–1000 mm/s) |
| Pulse width | 100–200 ns (fixed or adjustable; MOPA allows wider) |
| Focal length | 100–200 mm (160 mm common) |
| Engraving depth | 10–200 µm (deep engraving) / 1–10 µm (fine marking) |
UV Laser Engraving of Copper
| Parameter | Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Laser power | 3–20 W (common for desktop / lab systems) |
| Pulse frequency | 50–200 kHz |
| Scanning speed | 50–500 mm/s |
| Pulse width | 10–20 ns |
| Focal length | 50–100 mm |
| Engraving depth | 1–10 µm (micron-level, fine marking) |
| Assist gas | Optional: air or nitrogen, to avoid oxidation |
If you are unsure which parameters are suitable for your copper material, please contact us.
Procurement Suggestions for A Copper（Pure） Laser Engraving Machine
Fiber Laser
Advantages: High power, suitable for deep engraving and large-area marking. Has advantages in processing thick copper parts and art pieces.
Note: Copper has extremely fast thermal conductivity. Continuous processing can easily lead to heat accumulation, causing workpiece deformation or uneven marking. It is recommended to use intermittent scanning or air-assisted cooling for heat dissipation; also, regularly inspect the protective lens to prevent reflected light from damaging the laser head.
Cost: Copper is highly reflective, so a model that supports processing of highly reflective metals must be selected. Higher power comes with higher cost.
UV Laser
Advantages: Suitable for applications requiring extremely high precision, surface blackening / color change, and very thin materials (sensitive to thermal deformation).
Note: Power that is too low will result in slow processing speed. Engraving depth is limited – not suitable for deep engraving of art pieces.
Cost: UV laser machines are relatively expensive, but they offer unique advantages for high-precision, heat-sensitive copper marking.
Recommended Laser Machines for Engraving Copper（Pure）
| Item | Actual Expectation |
|---|---|
| Processing speed on copper | Medium (~1,000–3,000 mm/s achievable) |
| Marking result | Characters and QR codes are clear, small color difference |
| Deep engraving possibility | Suitable for deep engraving |
| Thermal effect | Relatively noticeable, but can be reduced by parameter adjustment |
Fiber Laser Marking Machine
FAQ
Q:Which type of laser is more suitable for deep engraving of copper?
A: Fiber lasers (especially 100–200W or higher) are suitable for shallow to medium depth engraving and large-area marking. UV lasers are not suitable for deep engraving (depth
Q:For extremely thin copper foil (e.g., below 20 µm), which laser should be chosen?
A:UV laser is preferred. Its cold processing characteristic produces almost no heat affected zone, avoiding deformation or perforation of the thin copper foil. Even at low power, a fiber laser may cause overheating and deformation.
Q:Why can UV laser marking on copper produce different colors (white, dark, gold)?
A:The cold ablation effect of the UV laser can, by adjusting pulse energy, frequency, and scanning speed, create different oxide layer thicknesses or microstructures on the surface, which then reflect different colors.ision and contamination free process.
Q:Which laser machine is recommended for small batch, multi-variety marking of copper parts?
A: A 10W UV laser machine is recommended. It requires no pre treatment, offers high flexibility, and is suitable for a wide range of materials and fine marking. If occasional light deep engraving is also needed, a 100W fiber laser machine can be chosen instead.
Related News
Contact Us