View all news
Fiber laser engraving: professional machines for industrial marking
Fiber laser engraving is a marking and engraving technology particularly well suited to metals and certain engineering plastics. Precise, fast and contact-free, it produces permanent markings, serial numbers, traceability codes and precision engravings on a wide variety of parts.
Thermoflan offers a range of professional fiber laser engraving machines designed to meet the requirements of different production environments: portable systems, standalone marking stations and equipment designed for large-surface processing. Explore our solutions and find the machine suited to your materials, part dimensions and production needs.
Our range of fiber laser engraving machines
Discover our fiber laser machines dedicated to industrial marking and engraving. From portable lasers to marking stations, our equipment meets a wide range of needs: part identification, metal engraving, industrial traceability, customization and large-surface marking.
Each machine has its own characteristics in terms of mobility, working area and configuration. Thermoflan helps you choose the solution best suited to your applications and production constraints.
What is fiber laser engraving?
Fiber laser engraving is a process that uses a focused laser beam to create precise, durable markings on the surface of a material. Particularly well suited to metals and certain engineering plastics, this technology is widely used in industry for part identification, traceability, engraving of part numbers and component customization.
Unlike mechanical processes, the laser works without direct contact with the part. The marking results from the interaction between the beam’s energy and the material, using parameters set according to the material and the desired result.
Fiber laser machines can therefore produce both fine, high-contrast markings and deeper engravings, while maintaining high precision and good repeatability from one part to the next.
How does a fiber laser work?
A fiber laser works by generating a light beam inside a doped optical fiber, usually doped with ytterbium. The energy produced is then directed to a marking head, which focuses the beam onto a precise area of the part.
Using a system of galvanometer mirrors, the beam moves rapidly across the surface to be processed, following the path defined by the control software. The high concentration of energy causes a localized change in the material: a change in appearance, coloring, material removal or deep engraving, depending on the settings applied.
Laser power, scanning speed, pulse frequency and focus are all parameters used to adapt the result to the characteristics of the material and the requirements of the application.
This control of the beam makes the fiber optic laser particularly well suited to precision marking, industrial identification and series production of parts.
What is the difference between fiber laser engraving and fiber laser marking?
Fiber laser marking and fiber laser engraving rely on the same technology, but differ in the result produced on the material.
Marking consists of locally altering the appearance of the surface to reveal text, a logo, a serial number or a traceability code. Depending on the material and the parameters used, this alteration may take the form of a change in color or contrast, with little or no material removal.
Laser engraving, on the other hand, involves removing material to create relief or depth in the part. It is used in particular when the application requires durable identification or a noticeable engraved result on the surface.
The choice of process depends on the material, the required depth, the expected legibility and the conditions the part will be exposed to during use.
Materials compatible with a fiber laser
Fiber laser engraving is particularly well suited to marking metal materials. Thanks to its focused, precise beam, it produces fine inscriptions, permanent engravings and traceability markings on a wide variety of parts, without direct contact with their surface.
Marking possibilities depend on the type of material, its surface condition and the desired result. Choosing the right laser source and working parameters makes it possible to adapt the process to the constraints of each application, whether the goal is high-contrast marking, discreet identification or deeper engraving.
Fiber laser engraving on metals
Fiber laser machines can process many metals used in industry, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper, as well as certain precious metals such as gold and silver.
This technology is used to engrave part numbers, serial numbers, logos, graduations and identification codes on metal components. It meets both single-part marking needs and traceability applications on series of parts.
Depending on the metal and the settings applied, the laser can produce high-contrast surface marking or remove material to achieve deep engraving. The fineness of the beam makes it possible to work on small parts while maintaining good legibility of the inscriptions.
Fiber laser engraving is therefore used in many applications in mechanical engineering, automotive, aerospace, electronics and the manufacture of precision instruments and components.
Fiber laser marking on engineering plastics
In addition to metals, fiber lasers can also be used to mark certain engineering plastics, particularly in industrial component identification applications.
Depending on the composition of the polymer, its color and the additives it contains, the beam can cause a localized change in the surface and produce a high-contrast marking. This technique can be used to create part numbers, logos, serial numbers or traceability codes on compatible plastic parts.
However, not all plastics react to a fiber laser in the same way. Preliminary tests may be needed to determine the appropriate parameters and verify the quality of the expected result.
Thermoflan helps you assess your materials and applications to guide you toward the most appropriate marking technology.
What are the industrial applications of fiber laser engraving?
Fiber laser engraving meets many industrial marking needs, from identifying a single part to processing series of components. It produces precise, durable inscriptions on metals and certain engineering plastics, while adapting to the constraints of different industries.
Serial numbers, manufacturing references, traceability codes, graduations, logos or patterns: applications are varied and depend on the material, the dimensions of the part and the desired result. Thanks to the range of available configurations, fiber laser machines can be used on a standalone workstation as well as for marking bulky parts or processing large surfaces.
Part identification and traceability
Fiber laser marking is particularly well suited to industrial identification and traceability applications. It allows the information needed to recognize and track parts throughout the manufacturing process to be inscribed directly on them.
Serial numbers, product references, barcodes, QR codes or DataMatrix codes can be marked on many metal components and compatible materials. The precision of the beam produces fine, legible markings, even when the available surface is small.
This technology meets the needs of companies that must identify parts individually, reproduce the same marking across a series or integrate variable data into their production. Depending on the materials and the conditions of use, the laser parameters can be adjusted to obtain high-contrast marking or deeper engraving.
The various Thermoflan fiber laser machine configurations meet both occasional marking needs and production applications that require precision and repeatability.
Marking automotive and aerospace components
In the automotive and aerospace industries, component identification plays an important role in tracking parts and the various manufacturing stages. Fiber laser engraving can be used to mark references, serial numbers, identification codes or technical inscriptions on many metal components.
The precision of the beam and control of the marking parameters make it possible to adapt the result to the characteristics of the parts, whether small mechanical elements or larger components. The contact-free process is also an advantage for applications that require localized marking on specific areas.
Depending on part dimensions, required throughput and production organization, marking can be carried out on a fixed station, with portable equipment or on a machine designed for large-surface processing.
Engraving instruments and precision components
The fineness of the fiber laser beam makes it possible to produce detailed markings on small parts. This technology is used in particular in the medical, electronics and watchmaking sectors and in the manufacture of precision components.
References, graduations, positioning marks, logos or identification codes can be engraved on small surfaces, depending on the type of material and the characteristics of the part.
Adjusting the power, speed and other marking parameters makes it possible to adapt the fineness, contrast and depth of the inscription to the desired result. The choice of machine depends in particular on the dimensions of the components, the required precision and the specific conditions of their use.
Customization and engraving of metal parts
Beyond industrial identification applications, fiber laser engraving offers many customization possibilities on metals. It can reproduce text, logos, patterns or detailed inscriptions on parts of various shapes and sizes.
This technology is used in particular in jewelry, watchmaking, cutlery and the customization of metal objects. Depending on the material and the desired finish, the laser can produce high-contrast surface marking or engraving with material removal.
The different machines in the Thermoflan range make it possible to adapt the solution to part dimensions, level of detail and production volume, from single-item customization to series production.
Why choose fiber laser engraving for industrial marking?
Need a machine suited to your business?
Our team will help you choose a machine suited to your materials, the dimensions of your parts and your production constraints.
FREE QUOTEHow do you choose a fiber laser engraving machine?
Choosing a fiber laser engraving machine depends on several criteria: the materials to be processed, the type of marking required, the dimensions of the parts and the production constraints. A machine intended for occasional component identification will not necessarily meet the same needs as equipment used to mark large series or bulky parts.
Thermoflan offers different fiber laser configurations, from portable systems to machines equipped with a motorized table, to guide you toward a solution suited to your applications.
Based on the material and the desired result
The type of material is a first criterion when choosing a fiber laser machine. Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and engineering plastics do not all react in the same way to the laser beam. The choice of source and working parameters must therefore take into account the material to be engraved and its surface condition.
The expected result is also decisive. High-contrast marking for part identification, fine engraving on a precision component or deeper engraving do not necessarily require the same settings or the same laser power.
For traceability applications, the size of the inscriptions, the readability of the codes and the conditions the parts will be exposed to during use must also be taken into account.
Based on part dimensions and marking area
The dimensions of the parts and the area to be engraved directly influence the choice of machine. Marking small components, long parts or bulky items involves different constraints in terms of positioning and accessibility.
An open-frame machine makes it easier to process parts whose dimensions exceed those of an enclosed marking station. For heavy items or items that are difficult to move, a portable solution allows marking to be carried out directly on the part.
When the application requires covering a large surface or processing several parts on the same table, a machine equipped with a motorized X and Y axis table may be preferred. Moving the table makes it possible to process different areas in succession, without manually repositioning the part.
Based on throughput and production environment
The volume of parts to be marked and the organization of the workstation must also be taken into account. The needs of a workshop carrying out occasional marking differ from those of a company that must identify series of components every day.
For regular use, speed of execution, marking repeatability and workstation ergonomics all contribute to productivity. The choice of machine must also take into account part loading and unloading operations, as well as part positioning during marking.
Depending on the working environment, a fixed, portable or motorized configuration will meet the production constraints. Automation and integration options should be assessed according to the organization of the workshop and the characteristics of the application.
Which Fiber Mark machine should you choose?
The Thermoflan Fiber Mark range includes several fiber laser machine configurations designed to meet a variety of marking needs. From the compact, transportable model to the system designed for large-surface processing, each machine offers characteristics suited to different working environments.
The table below lets you compare the main configurations and identify the machine that matches your production constraints.
| Machine | Configuration | Applications and needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber Mark Tool | Battery-powered portable fiber laser | On-site marking, bulky parts or parts that are difficult to move |
| Fiber Mark Basic | Open-frame machine | Marking large parts that require unobstructed access |
| Fiber Mark Standard | Fiber laser marking station | Regular professional marking and component identification |
| Fiber Mark Pro | High-frame machine | Applications requiring a large work area and stable part positioning |
| Fiber Pro Max XY | Machine with motorized X and Y axis table | Large-surface engraving and processing of multiple areas without manual repositioning |
The choice of machine also depends on the laser power, the work area and the options required for your application. Our teams help you define your needs in order to select the configuration best suited to your materials, part dimensions and production objectives.
Fiber laser or CO2 laser: which technology should you choose?
Fiber lasers and CO2 lasers are two technologies used for engraving and marking, but they do not meet the same needs. The choice depends primarily on the type of material to be processed and the required operation: identification, precision engraving or cutting.
Fiber lasers are particularly well suited to marking and engraving metals, while CO2 lasers are commonly used to process many non-metallic materials, such as wood, cardboard or certain plastics. Both technologies can deliver high precision, provided the equipment is suited to the application.
| Criterion | Fiber laser | CO2 laser |
|---|---|---|
| Common applications | Marking and engraving metals | Engraving and cutting many non-metallic materials |
| Metals | Particularly well suited | Variable capabilities depending on equipment and process |
| Wood | Generally not preferred | Suitable for engraving and cutting |
| Precision | High, especially for fine, detailed markings | High, depending on configuration |
| Main selection criterion | Type of metal, marking result and production constraints | Type of material and need for engraving or cutting |
To identify metal parts, engrave serial numbers, create traceability codes or customize metal objects, a fiber laser is a particularly well-suited solution. If your work mainly involves engraving or cutting wood and other non-metallic materials, a CO2 laser machine will generally be more appropriate.
Thermoflan helps you choose the technology and equipment that match your materials, applications and production constraints.
Frequently asked questions about fiber laser engraving
What power should you choose for a fiber laser engraving machine?
The power of a fiber laser machine depends on the material to be processed, the type of marking required and the production rate. Surface marking to identify a part does not require the same parameters as deep engraving with material removal.
Higher power can increase processing speed or make certain engraving applications easier, but on its own it does not guarantee a better result. Marking quality also depends on the laser source, the optics and the settings used.
To choose the right power, it is therefore important to define your application precisely: type of material, dimensions of the area to be engraved, desired contrast or depth, and number of parts to be processed.
Can a fiber laser machine be integrated into a production line?
Yes, fiber laser marking can be integrated into an industrial production process, provided the machine and configuration are suited to the installation.
Depending on requirements, marking can be performed on a standalone station or combined with part positioning, loading and unloading operations. Integration options depend in particular on the model selected, its interfaces and the level of automation required.
A preliminary study makes it possible to define throughput, safety, footprint and traceability constraints in order to determine the most appropriate solution.
Can a fiber laser perform deep engraving?
Yes, a fiber laser can perform engraving with material removal, particularly on many compatible metals. The depth achieved depends on the material, the power of the laser source, the working parameters and the number of passes.
However, a distinction should be made between surface marking, used for example to inscribe a serial number or a logo, and deep engraving, which requires removing more material. Deep engraving generally takes longer to process.
The choice of machine should therefore take into account the required depth, as well as the expected finish and the production rate.
Is fiber laser marking permanent?
Fiber lasers produce durable markings directly on the surface of the material, without ink or labels. This makes them particularly well suited to identifying industrial parts that must retain their references throughout their use.
However, the durability of the marking depends on the material, its depth and the conditions the part is exposed to: friction, surface treatments, cleaning or operating environment.
For a traceability application subject to specific constraints, it is recommended to define the required level of resistance in order to adapt the marking process.
Can I see Thermoflan fiber laser machines in operation?
Thermoflan fiber laser machines can be seen in operation in our showroom. This space allows you to discover the different machines in the range, assess the quality of the markings produced and better understand how they can be used.
Our team helps you choose a machine suited to your materials, part dimensions and production constraints.