Laser Engraving Brass: The Ultimate Guide
Brass, an alloy of zinc and copper, is known for its excellent resistance to corrosion. Add to that its bright golden appearance; this combination makes it a favorite metal among craftsmen for jewelry, plaques, and ornaments.
A simple and affordable way to style brass is laser engraving. Anyone (even beginners) can easily engrave brass with desktop laser engravers.
This blog post explains how laser engraves brass, which lasers are compatible with brass, and what is the best laser engraver for brass available on the market.
How does laser engraving brass work?
A laser is a focused beam of light that, when it interacts with brass, vaporizes it and chips away a piece of the top layer. The spot size (point of laser-metal interaction) is so small that sharp details and intricate designs can be achieved easily.
The Desktop Laser Engraver has this laser enclosed in a small laser module. The movement and power of the laser head are controlled by the software in the backend. It guides the laser to remove the material as per the design file.
Types of Brass Laser Engraver
Lasers have different types based on the gain medium used to amplify photons. These different lasers are suitable for different materials because a single type of laser does not 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 lasers and infrared lasers.
Fiber laser engraver
Fiber laser engravers are the best choice for metal cutting and engraving in industries. Their wavelength is readily absorbed by metals, including brass. These engravers are known for their faster 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 them are often underpowered and engrave at a limited depth. They are common in desktop laser engravers.
Is it possible to engrave brass with a diode laser?
Diode lasers cannot engrave bare metals (including brass). They can only mark plated and coated metals, such as stainless steel.
The best laser engraver for brass
Diode or infrared laser engravers can work for brass with limited engraving capabilities, but if you want a deep, pronounced engraving, a fiber laser engraver is your best bet .
xTool F1 Ultra: The compact fiber laser engraver for brass
In the world of desktop laser engravers, the xTool F1 Ultra is the only one that has both fiber and diode lasers. It is equipped with a 20W fiber laser and a 20W diode laser module, which makes it compatible with almost all materials . The former supports engraving (and cutting) metal, while the latter is responsible for engraving all common materials (wood, cardboard, acrylic, leather, etc.).
Metal engraving is the key specialty of F1 Ultra. It can not only engrave flat surfaces, but also curved surfaces. The 3D engraving technology uses a smart camera that adjusts the focus as the contour of the surface changes. It also supports cylindrical engraving with the xTool accessory, RA2 Pro.
In addition to its all-round engraving capabilities, the machine also shines in speed. The F1 Ultra's engraving speed can reach 10,000 mm/s , matching 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 up to 500*220mm via a conveyor. Multiple objects can be placed on the conveyor and their geometries are automatically detected and prepared for pattern mapping. In terms of height, it can accommodate materials up to 145mm.
Brass engraving is made easy with the F1 Ultra. It's a three-step process. Place your material and import your design into XCS. The machine automatically adjusts focus based on thickness. Select your material and the XCS software automatically suggests engraving parameters. Then, you just need to start engraving.
The machine also features a built-in touch-screen control system with 7GB of storage space. You can save projects inside the machine and then simply process the engraving without the need for an external connection to a computer.
How to laser engrave brass?
Once you have the laser engraver, the laser engraving process is simple. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a sheet of brass
Get a clean, appropriately sized sheet of brass that can easily fit into your laser engraving machine.
Step 2: Add laser marking spray (optional)
If you are using a diode laser, coat your metal piece with laser marking spray. If you are using a fiber laser machine, such as the xTool F1 Ultra , you can go straight to the bare brass plate.
Step 3: Import the design file
Place the brass sheet inside the laser engraver and open the laser control software, XCS. The software automatically detects the thickness of the material and adjusts the focus.
Import the design file and carefully place it on the material. You may receive preset engraving parameters, which can be changed if necessary.
Phase 4: The engraving
Before engraving, use the framing option to run a dry run along the engraving path. Once you have confirmed that the laser head is moving correctly, begin the engraving process.
Phase 5: Cleaning
Remove any debris or residue from the etched area with a soft brush or cloth. You can apply a protective varnish or polish to enhance the appearance and protect the surface.
Applications of laser engraved brass
Brass has wide applications due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Here are some popular uses of laser engraved brass:
Jewels
Brass's bright golden appearance and excellent corrosion resistance make it ideal for jewelry making. Laser engraving also allows you to stylize your pendants and bracelets with intricate patterns and designs.
Signage and plates
Laser engraving produces clear, legible text and intricate logos on brass. This makes it a great choice for nameplates, plaques and office signs. Since brass does not corrode easily, your signs can remain intact and legible for a long time, even outdoors.
Promotional products and rewards
In addition to acrylic, brass can also be used to make awards and souvenirs. Its long life and luster make it ideal for making high-quality, durable products. And for personalization, laser engraving is the best option available.
Custom stamps
Laser engraving takes custom stamp making to a whole 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 one-of-a-kind stamp.
Laser engraved brass stamps can be used to imprint designs on a variety of surfaces. From paper and fabric to leather, wax seal and clay.
Industrial applications
Electrical outlets, plumbing accessories, and valves: brass is common for all these applications where corrosion resistance is required. Laser engraving helps to mark such parts with serial numbers and other technical specifications.
Conclusion
Brass is a durable metal with wide industrial and domestic applications. It can be effectively engraved using fiber and infrared laser engravers. xTool F1 Ultra is the only compact engraver that makes brass and metal engraving accessible to everyone.
If you are interested in trying your hand at brass engraving, consider purchasing an F1 Ultra. We would love to see what you create, so share your projects with us!
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