### **Fiber Laser Marking Machine vs. UV Laser Marking Machine: A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis**
In the field of industrial marking, laser marking machines have become the mainstream choice due to their permanent, efficient and environmentally friendly characteristics. Among them, fiber laser marking machines and UV laser marking machines are two of the most widely used and representative models. They are not simply a replacement for each other, but based on different physical principles, they each have their irreplaceable advantages for different materials and application requirements. fly laser will deeply analyze the differences between the two to help you make the most suitable choice.
---
#### I. Fundamental Differences between Core Working Principles and Laser Characteristics
To understand the advantages and disadvantages of the two, it is first necessary to understand the essential differences in their working principles.
1. **Fiber Laser Marking Machine**
* **Working Principle**: The laser in this machine uses glass fiber doped with rare earth elements (such as Ytterbium, Yb) as the gain medium. Pumped by a semiconductor laser, laser is generated and amplified within the fiber, and ultimately outputs near-infrared laser with a wavelength mainly of **1064nm**.
* **Laser Characteristics**: This wavelength of laser falls within the category of **thermal processing**. Its photon energy is relatively low and is insufficient to directly break the chemical bonds of materials. When the laser beam is directed onto the material surface, the energy is absorbed by the material and converted into heat energy. Through physical and chemical changes such as ablation, melting, evaporation, and alteration of the surface oxidation level, a mark is formed (such as engraving, annealing, and color change).
2. **UV Laser Marking Machine**
* **Working Principle**: Typically, it uses Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4 crystal lasers, and through nonlinear crystals (such as LBO, BBO), a **third harmonic conversion** is carried out to convert the inherent 1064nm infrared laser into a **355nm** ultraviolet laser.
* **Laser Characteristics**: The ultraviolet laser has a short wavelength and high photon energy (>3.5eV). This high energy is sufficient to directly break the chemical bonds of materials (especially high molecular polymers), causing a non-thermal **photochemical decomposition** process. Therefore, ultraviolet laser processing is also known as **"cold processing"** or **"cold ablation"**. The processing has an extremely small heat-affected zone and almost no thermal damage is produced.
#### **II. Comparison of Advantages and Characteristics**
Based on the differences in the above working principles, the two present completely different advantages and characteristics.
(1) Advantages of Fiber Laser Marking Machines
1. **Strong metal processing capability**: The 1064nm wavelength laser can be efficiently absorbed by most metal materials, thus having an absolute advantage in metal marking. The marking effect is firm, clear and aesthetically pleasing.
2. **High power and deep engraving**: The fiber laser technology is mature and can easily achieve a high average power (20W, 50W or even higher), making it very suitable for deep engraving, cutting and applications that require the removal of a large amount of material.
3. **Outstanding conductivity and speed**: The laser is conducted by fiber, with good beam quality (M² factor close to 1), extremely high energy density after focusing, fast processing speed and extremely high efficiency, making it very suitable for continuous operation on large-scale production lines.
4. **High stability and long lifespan**: The fiber laser adopts an all-fiber structure, with no optical lenses requiring calibration, strong anti-vibration and anti-interference capabilities, maintenance-free, and the pump source lifespan can reach 100,000 hours, with excellent durability.
5. **Excellent cost performance**: For conventional metal and some plastic marking needs, the purchase cost of fiber laser equipment is lower, and the operating costs (electricity consumption, consumables) are also more economical.
(2) Advantages of Ultraviolet Laser Marking Machines
1. "Cold processing" and ultra-fine marking: This is its core advantage. Due to the extremely small heat-affected zone, it can achieve ultra-fine marking without generating thermal stress, cracks, melt edges or carbonization. It is particularly suitable for micro-processing fields.
2. Wide material adaptability (especially non-metallic and polymer materials): High-energy ultraviolet photons can be effectively absorbed by the vast majority of materials, especially those that are insensitive to infrared lasers, such as glass, ceramics, silicon wafers, plastics, etc.
3. Excellent "white marking" effect: When marking on dark plastics (such as ABS, PC), a chemical change occurs on the material surface through a photochemical reaction, resulting in a white mark with extremely high contrast, which is very clear and beautiful, and does not damage the material itself. This is difficult to achieve with fiber lasers.
4. Smaller heat-affected zone (HAZ): With almost no heat conduction, it can process very fragile materials or films without causing deformation or performance degradation.
5. Can achieve a smaller focused spot: According to the optical diffraction law, the shorter the wavelength, the smaller the diameter of the focused spot can be, thereby supporting ultra-fine marking of QR codes, barcodes, micro-text, and patterns.
#### **III. Comparison of Applicable Materials and Application Fields**
(1) Applicable Materials and Applications of Fiber Laser Marking Machines
* **Applicable Materials**:
* **Various Metals**: Stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum alloy, copper, gold, silver, titanium alloy, etc. (engraving, annealing color change, oxidation blackening, etc.).
* **Some Plastics**: Such as PE, PP, etc., but the effect may not be as good as that of ultraviolet, and smoke and deformation may occur.
* **Electroplated Materials**: Galvanized sheets, nickel plating, chrome plating, etc.
* **Coated Materials**: Removal of coatings on metal surfaces.
* **Typical application fields**:
* **Hardware tools and machinery manufacturing**: Tools, measuring instruments, part numbers, brand logos.
* **Automotive and aerospace**: Engine components, vehicle identification numbers (VIN codes), traceability marks for fasteners.
* **Electronics and electrical appliances**: Markings on metal parts such as mobile phone casings and charging heads.
* **Medical devices**: Permanent markings on surgical instruments and orthopedic implants.
* **Jewelry**: Fine marking on precious metals.
(II) Applicable Materials and Applications of Ultraviolet Laser Marking Machines
* **Applicable Materials**:
* **Plastics and Polymer Materials**: ABS, PC, PP, PE, PBT, PET (especially high-contrast white marking), liquid crystal screen materials, resins.
* **Glass and Ceramics**: Micro-engraving and marking on mobile phone glass covers, glassware, electronic ceramics, and food packaging bottles.
* **Semiconductors and Electronic Components**: Silicon wafers, IC chips, LCD screens, FPC flexible circuit boards, marking and fine adjustment of membrane switches.
* **Leather and Fabrics**: Fine pattern engraving, no burnt smell.
* **Metals**: Although marking is possible, the depth capability is not as good as that of fiber lasers, mainly used for fine surface marking.
* **Typical application fields**:
* **Consumer electronics**: Fine QR codes and logos inside mobile phones and TWS earphones; removal of silk-screen printing on glass back plates.
* **Pharmaceutical and food packaging**: Production dates, batch numbers, and expiration dates on medicine packaging boxes (plastic, composite materials); marking on tube packaging.
* **Electronic components**: Micro-codes on chips and QR codes on PCB boards, with extremely high precision requirements.
* **Cosmetic packaging**: Beautiful markings on the surfaces of plastic and glass bottles without causing any damage.
* **Scientific research and ultra-precision processing**: Special fields requiring micron-level processing precision.
#### IV. Summary and Selection Suggestions
| Feature Dimension | **Fiber Laser Marking Machine** | **Ultraviolet Laser Marking Machine** |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Laser Wavelength** | 1064nm (Near-infrared) | 355nm (Ultraviolet) |
| **Processing Mechanism** | **Thermal Processing** (Thermal Effect) | **Cold Processing** (Photochemical Effect) |
| **Core Advantages** | Strong metal processing ability, high power, deep engraving, fast speed, high cost performance | Minimal heat-affected zone, ultra-fine, high contrast (especially for plastic white labels), wide material adaptability |
| **Disadvantages** | Large heat-affected zone, not suitable for heat-sensitive materials, relatively low precision | Low power, difficult to do deep engraving, high equipment cost and maintenance cost |
| **Typical Materials** | **All kinds of metals** | **Plastics, glass, ceramics, semiconductors** |
| **Selection Keywords** | **Metal, depth, speed, cost performance** | **Precision, cold processing, plastic, glass, high-quality marking** |
How to choose? **
1. If your products mainly consist of various metal parts, and you need deep engraving, high-speed marking or are considering cost, a fiber laser marking machine is your best choice.
2. If your products are mainly plastic, glass, or ceramic, or you need extremely fine and heat-damage-free marking on metal surfaces (such as electronic chips), or you are pursuing extremely high contrast (such as white characters on black plastic), a UV laser marking machine is an essential choice.
3. For comprehensive enterprises that involve both metal and non-metal processing, it is recommended to choose based on the main business and the highest quality requirements. If the budget allows, configuring two machines to handle different materials respectively is the most efficient and professional solution.
In conclusion, fiber lasers and UV laser marking machines are complementary rather than competitive. Together, they form the cornerstone of modern manufacturing marking technology, covering a full range of processing needs from macroscopic and rough to microscopic and precise. The right choice begins with a deep understanding of the material properties and the requirements for the final effect.
#flylaser #lasermarker #lasermarking #lasermarkingmachine #fiberlasermarkingmachine #uvlasermarkingmachine #uvlasermarkingmachineprice #fiberlasermarkingmachineprice
