What is the Difference between 450nm and 1064nm Engraving Lasers?

The core difference between 450nm and 1064nm engraving lasers stems from their wavelengths, which directly lead to significant differences in their physical properties, material interactions, and application scenarios. 

Professional Manufacturer of 450nm and 1064nm Laser Module for Laser Engraving & Cutting : Dongguan Blueuniverse Laser Co., Ltd.

BU-laser has the following models of the 450nm and 1064 nm laser modules that can be used for laser engravers and cutters:

450nm: 1.6W, 3W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, 30W, 40W, 60W, 80W.

1064nm: 1W, 2W, 3W.

450nm& 1064nm Dual Wavelength : Blue 5W +IR 1W, Blue 5W+IR 2W,Blue 10W +IR 1W, Blue 10W+IR 2W, Blue 20W+IR 2W, and other customizable models.

Core Differences

Wavelength and Visibility

     450nm belongs to the blue light band (visible light). The blue light spot can be directly observed by the human eye, facilitating precise positioning and alignment during operation.

     1064nm belongs to the near-infrared band (invisible light) and requires auxiliary red light positioning or specialized equipment for observation. Operation requires predicting the marking trajectory.

Material Absorption

     450nm blue light: Higher absorption rate for non-metallic materials. The molecular structure of these materials is more responsive to visible light, allowing laser energy to be quickly absorbed by the surface layer, reducing deformation caused by deeper penetration.

     1064nm near-infrared light: Higher absorption rate for metals and dark, hard materials. Metal surfaces have a low reflectivity for infrared light, and the energy is easily absorbed by the surface lattice, making them suitable for forming stable marks.

Focused Spot and Resolution

     450nm: Due to its shorter wavelength, the focused spot is smaller due to the diffraction limit, resulting in higher resolution. This makes it suitable for marking fine lines or tiny patterns.

     1064nm: With its longer wavelength, the focused spot is relatively larger, with slightly lower resolution, but the energy density is more easily concentrated, making it suitable for markings requiring a certain depth.

Cutting effects for 450nm 10W &20W

Power and Energy Characteristics

     450nm: Mostly semiconductor lasers, with power typically ranging from 1-50W, use "surface vaporization" as their primary mechanism. Their gentle energy makes them suitable for materials susceptible to thermal deformation.

     1064nm: Commonly used fiber lasers offer a wider power range, more concentrated energy, and slightly stronger penetration. They can achieve "deep etching" and even thin metal cutting, making them suitable for applications requiring higher energy.

Penetration Depth

     450nm: Energy is primarily absorbed by the material's surface, resulting in shallower penetration, making it suitable for surface marking while avoiding damage to internal structures. 

     1064nm: Deeper penetration, suitable for engraving requiring a certain depth.

 Summary

  450nm lasers, with their core advantages of precision and minimal damage, are focused on fine non-metal engraving. 1064nm lasers, with their high energy and adaptability, are focused on industrial-grade marking of metals and hard materials. When choosing a wavelength, match it to the material type, required precision, and desired depth.

BU-LASER provides laser modules with multiple specification choices(output power, beam divergence, beam size, working distance, and dimension) better meet customers’ needs of accurate laser positioning/locating/orientating. To know more, please contact us at song@bu-laser.com.