Frequently Asked Questions

Architectural model makers, Awards, Corporate branding, Education, Fabric cutting

General manufacturing, Graphic imaging, Identification codes and asset management

Paper crafts and hobbies, Personalisation companies, Product development

Prototyping, Rubber stamp manufacturing, Signage, Souvenir and tourist gift manufacturing,Woodworking

Laser engraving machines can be used on most plastics, wood, fabric, rubber, paper, cardboard, some metals, glass. ceramic.  For a more comprehensive list please visit www.ulsinc.com

This usually depends on the type of material you are processing.  

If you are looking at marking / engraving or some cutting of these materials, a CO2 laser may be best :

• Plastics
• Rubbers/Elastomers
• Foams
• Fabrics
• Papers
• Woods
• Composites (if metal or other inorganic content is minimal)
• Glass
• Ceramics

If you are looking at marking / engraving these materials a Fibre laser might be best:

• Metal (most types)
• Plastics - including black acetal, black acrylic, black PTFE, and other plastics with laser receptive additives, fillers, or pigments.
  
  For most of these, it is not the organic plastic that absorbs and reacts to laser energy, it is the pigments, fillers, or other additives that react to the fiber laser energy.

If you are unsure ULS has a comprehensive materials testing laboratory, which your material can be tested to give us the best idea of laser for your application.

www.ulsinc.com

Once you know what material or materials you are looking at using (and you know which type of laser is appropriate), generally you want to look at the size bed or engraving area you need.  Are you doing larger items or need extra depth, or are you doing smaller items where size isn’t important. 

With the size of the tube needed, factors such as it is a commercial enterprise running almost non-stop, vs a small home hobbyist or start up venture where it may not be used all the time should be considered.

Both processes are easy to use, and can be used in projects involving two or more substrates and different materials, as well as flat or odd shaped objects. 

A laser can easily engrave complex graphics on a nonmetallic surface such as wood or glass, while rotary engraving can be used on metal plates and plastics. 

If you are unsure we can get samples of your material engraved using both systems in-house to help work out the best option.

Yes. Please contact us here to apply for a trade account.