Laser Engraving Brass: The Ultimate Guide
Brass, the zinc-copper alloy is known for excellent corrosion resistance. Add to that the bright gold appearance; this combo makes it one of crafter’s favorite metals for jewelry, plaques, and ornaments.
One simple and accessible method to stylize brass is laser engraving. Anyone (even beginners) can easily engrave brass with desktop laser engravers.
This blog post explains how laser engraves brass, brass-compatible lasers, and the best laser engraver for brass on the market.
In This Article
- How Laser Engraving Brass Works?
- Types of Laser Engraver for Brass
- Best Laser Engraver for Brass
- How to Laser Engrave Brass?
- Applications of Laser Engraved Brass
- Conclusion
How Laser Engraving Brass Works?
A laser is a focused beam of light, which when interacts with brass, vaporizes it and chips off a chunk of the top layer. The spot size (laser-metal interaction point) is so small that sharp details and intricate designs can be easily achieved.
The desktop laser engraver has this laser packed in a small laser module. The laser head’s movement and power are controlled by software at the backend. It guides the laser to remove the material as per the design file.
Types of Laser Engraver for Brass
Lasers have different types based on the gain medium used for the amplification of photons. These different lasers suit different materials because a single type of laser doesn’t penetrate inside all materials. Some materials absorb shorter wavelengths while others require longer wavelengths. Among the common lasers, Brass can only absorb two types: fiber laser and infrared laser.
Fiber Laser Engraver
Fiber laser engravers are the top choice for metal cutting and engraving in industries. Their wavelength is readily absorbed by metals including brass. These engravers are known for their higher engraving speeds, often reaching thousands of mm/s.
Infrared Laser Engraver
Here we are referring to a type of solid state laser engraver with a laser beam in the infrared wavelength (1064nm). This type of engraver also works well for engraving metal but most of these are often low-powered and engrave to a limited depth. They are common in desktop laser engravers.
Can You Laser Engrave Brass with a Diode Laser?
The diode laser cannot engrave bare metals (brass included). They can only mark plated and coated metals, for instance, stainless steel.
Best Laser Engraver for Brass
Diode or infrared laser engravers may work for brass with limited engraving capabilities, but if you want prominent and deep engraving, a fiber laser engraver is the best option.
xTool F1 Ultra: The Compact Fiber Laser Engraver for Brass
In the world of desktop laser engravers, xTool F1 Ultra is the only one to possess both fiber and diode lasers. It comes with a 20W fiber laser and a 20W diode laser module that makes it compatible with almost all materials. The former supports metal engraving (and cutting), while the latter is responsible for engraving all common materials (wood, cardboard, acrylic, leather, etc.).
Metal Engraving is F1 Ultra’s key specialty. It cannot only engrave flat surfaces but also curved ones. The 3D Engraving technology uses a smart camera that adjusts the focus as the surface’s contour changes. It also supports engraving on cylindrical engraving with xTool’s attachment, RA2 Pro.
Besides all-round engraving capabilities, the machine also shines in speed. F1 Ultra’s engraving speed can reach 10,000 mm/s, matching the industrial fiber lasers. The reason? Galvo-laser technology.
F1 Ultra is the largest galvo-laser engraver with a bed size of 220*220mm (without conveyor). It gets even bigger to 500*220mm through a conveyor. Multiple objects can be placed on the conveyor, and their geometries are auto-detected and made ready for pattern mapping. In terms of height, it can accommodate materials up to 145mm.
Engraving brass is made simple with F1 Ultra. It’s a three-step process. Place the material and import the design in XCS. The machine auto-adjusts focus based on thickness. You select the material and the XCS software auto-suggests engraving parameters. Next, you just have to initiate engraving.
The machine also features an in-built touch-screen control system with 7GB storage. You can save projects within the machine and later just process the engraving without needing an external connection to a computer.
How to Laser Engrave Brass?
Once you get the laser engraver, the laser engraving process is simple. Just stick to these steps:
Step 1: Find a Sheet of Brass
Take a clean sizeable sheet of brass that could easily fit inside your laser engraving machine.
Step 2: Add Laser Marking Spray (optional)
If you’re using a diode laser, coat your metal piece with a laser marking spray. If using a fiber laser machine, such as the xTool F1 Ultra, you can directly proceed with the bare brass sheet.
Step 3: Import the Design File
Place the brass sheet inside the laser engraver and open the laser control software, XCS. The software auto-detects the material thickness and adjusts the focus.
Import the design file and carefully position it over the material. You may receive pre-set engraving parameters, which can be adjusted if needed.
Step 4: The Engraving
Before engraving, use the framing option to perform a dry run along the engraving path. Once you confirm the laser head moves correctly, begin the engraving process.
Step 5: Clean Up
Remove debris or residue from the engraving area with a soft brush or cloth. You may apply a protective coating or polish to enhance appearance and protect the surface.
Applications of Laser Engraved Brass
Brass has extensive applications due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Here are some popular uses of laser engraved brass:
Jewelry
Brass’s bright gold appearance and excellent corrosion resistance make it ideal for making jewelry. Laser engraving further lets you stylize your pendants and bracelets with intricate patterns and designs.
Signage and Nameplates
Laser engraving produces clear, legible text and intricate logos on brass. This makes it a great choice for making nameplates, plaques, and office signs. Since brass doesn’t corrode easily, your signs can remain intact and readable for a long time, even outdoors.
Promotional Products and Awards
Besides acrylic, brass may also be used for making awards and souvenirs. Its long life and shine make it ideal for making high-quality, durable products. And for customization, laser engraving is the best available option.
Custom Stamps
Laser engraving takes custom stamps making to a new level. Unlike traditional hand-cut stamps, laser engraving offers incredible precision and detail, allowing you to create intricate designs, logos, lettering, and even images for a truly unique stamp.
Laser-engraved brass stamps can be used for imprinting designs onto a variety of surfaces. From paper and fabric to leather, wax seal and clay.
Industrial Applications
Electrical sockets, plumbing accessories, and valves – brass is common for all such applications where corrosion resistance is required. Laser engraving helps in marking those parts with serial numbers and other technical specifications.
Conclusion
Brass is a durable metal with extensive industrial and domestic applications. It can be engraved effectively using fiber and infrared laser engravers. The xTool F1 Ultra is the only compact engraver that makes brass and metal engraving accessible to everyone.
If you’re interested in trying brass engraving, consider getting an F1 Ultra. We’d love to see what you create—share your projects with us!
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