Mostly good information; however, there are important details missing. More important than the laser power is the per-pulse energy (PPE). PPE tells you more about the laser than just how much energy is in each pulse. Generally speaking, a laser with a PPE of under 1mJ indicates inferior fiber; the pulse energy is managed to reduce the liklihood of fiber damage caused by the laser being absorbed by fiber impurities. How do you know what the PPE of the laser is if it's not listed in the specification sheet? Divide the maximum power by the lowest Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) for a Q-switched laser (optimum pulse repetition frequency (PRFo) for MOPA), and you get the approximate PPE, i.e., 20W / 20,000 = 0.001J = 1mJ. I would not buy a fiber laser that has a PPE under 1mJ. Another advantage MOPA has over a Q-switched fiber laser is the ability to go below the optimized pulse repetition frequency (PRFo). PRFo is the frequency where both pulse energy and power are at their maximum. Below PRFo, power is reduced approximately linearily, and pulse energy is usually capped at the maximum (fun fact, in diode-pumped open-air lasers, pulse energy increases below PRFo). Since we consider power to be "heat", we're effectively engraving with a lower heat affected zone (HAZ), which means better cuts--typically we want high PPE to engrave, and power (heat) to mark/anneal. Combine this with the ability to modify the pulse width, or the time each pulse interacts with the material, and we have complete control over the application. Why can't you anneal with a Raycus laser? The IPG laser systems Control Laser Corporation (CLC) was selling when IPG came out with their 20-Watt laser came with a Linos 254mm Focal Length (FL) lens, having a 7-inch field. These are 1mJ lasers, and are very capable of annealing with the correct parameters. I would argue that the Raycus systems likely have a cheap Opex lens, and this, combined with the low PPE is why these lasers have difficulties annealing. The Opex lens resolving power is crap; there is no discernable airy disc with these lenses; the laser is diffused too much, causing energy density to suffer. A Linos or Rofin-Sinar lens, having that large 120mm output lens, have wonderful resolving power, and this is why the IPG 20Watt laser, having a maximum frequency of 40kHz, can anneal all day long without problems. Yes, the Linos lens is about $1,600 more than the ~$50 Opex lens, but when you consider that you need to add more power with the Opex lens to get the same effect (energy density) as the Linos lens, it's cheaper to buy an expensive lens than to buy a laser with more power. Also important is the size of the laser beam going into the focus lens, as this is one of the parameters to the spot size algorithm. If the beam is small going into the lens, the spot will be large, i.e., low energy density. However, if the beam is large going into the focus lens, the spot will be small, high energy density. So, it's important to consider the complete system when talking about capabilities and applications, and comparing between systems. Stick a Linos lens on that Raycus, expand the beam to 8mm, and see what happens! Finally, I want to clarify that IPG is originally a Russian company, that moved the headquarters to Massachusetts to have a better political environment to operate in. Yes, there are factories in Germany, and still in Russia, and yes, those Chinese systems that claim to have IPG lasers in them are really IPG lasers (manufactured in Russia). Most general purpose fiber lasers from IPG are manufactured in Germany, and I think that's what you meant to say; i.e., the German IPG fiber is the holy grail of q-switched fiber lasers. (For MOPA, SPI Lasers, now part of Trumpf, is the equivalent). -Laser-Lance (AKA Vasily Basov, former employee of Control Laser Corporation, part of Hans Laser, China)

Great breakdown. I wish This video existed a couple years ago when I bought my 30w JPT MOPA. I could have saved a lot of money sticking with a standard, but I was sold on the colors before I knew the beautiful photos shown of color where taken at very specific viewing angles.

I didn't have this information when i bought my machine but it looks like the research I did payed off. 100 watt JPT MOPA split from MORN. It works well from what I know how to do and this channel is helping a bunch!! Now I just need to do the conversion from the library you gave us for my machine and figure out the Q plus width setting. Thanks again!!!

Terrific video. You’re supplying people with limited laser knowledge with exactly the information they need to make an informed choice.

You have no idea how much you have clarified for me these options. I now know exactly what I need. Thank you so much! 👍

Great info vids for sure, really cleared up some questions I had. Editing was spot on with the dual audio as well.

Great video and a great channel name. Thanks for putting this together as this will be the next component to my shop as the xcarve and my laser can only do so much.

This is a great video and I've referred to it several times. Here we are in Jan of 2022, and I think the pricing is changing a LOT. A 100W Raycus Fiber Laser is now about the same price as a 50W MOPA. I know I'm going to want color if I don't have it, but a faster laser running 2x the power would also be nice. I'm in analysis paralysis!

THANK YOU! I had been looking for an easy to follow and thoroughly researched fiber laser explanation and you are it.

Great informative video in 2023 too. Looking for a Fiber laser for jewlery, i will go for the 30w and 110mm lens to do the job. Thank you!

Learned a lot. Saved the video and subscribed. Thank you.

Thanks for the review, it really help clear many thing for getting into fiber laser

Alex, thanks for the video. You make a great teacher! I'm not sure what I need... I want to start a jewelry business of laser cut names that I would attach to a necklace chain. What would you recommend? Thanks!

Keep it up! Really appreciate your work!!!

Thanks for all you did .. I am so happy to see all your videos, you making it usually. its very usful and teaching others. its so genius and helpfull. Wish i know most of this infomation befoer buying my fiber laser. waiting for you to buy the UV laser and start your journy of expermets .. good luck Bro.

Awesome info! Thank you so much.

Excellent Video - Great Info!!! Thanks!

Magnificent video and information, help me with something I have seen a Hispeed brand machine 50w JPT 100x100mm work area they ask me for $ 5200, the price is in line or do you think I could get something better in another brand? JPT has some models of laser sources, such Do you have an exact model that you would recommend? Thank you very much for your help.

Great information in this video....I know you get ask this all the time, but here goes. I'm looking for a fiber laser to mainly engrave, deep engrave firearms. Could you make a manufacture and spec recommendation for that? I would greatly appreciate your opinion.

Really helpful 👍 good job buddy ☺️

An excellent breakdown! Very very detailed. Loving your content!

Very helpful video about laser marking machine using methods

Hi Alex, FYI, I purchased a Mactron JPT 50w laser. I checked the model number of the laser source: YDFLP-E-50-LP-L-R. I did a search for that model number and it is listed as a MOPA pulse fiber laser. This appears to be the source when ordering the JPT. Thought you could use that bit of info with your recommendations. The case appears to be the same build quality as your new CO2 galvo unit. Thumbs up for Mactron for constantly improving their product line.

Having never used or seen a fiber laser in action only on KZfaq I have decide to purchase one to hopefully enhance the Fountain pens I make, so I have taken your advice and ordered a Cloudray 50w JPT as you recommend them highly, at the age of 70 I think I will be seeking advice in abundance, Thank You.

First off, great video.. helps with our new adventure in fiber lasers. I am kinda surprised cloudray does not have a JPT. So with that being said with Raycus do you or does anyone have "color" example of what Raycus can do? We just care about some of the primary colors like red and blue.

Hello, thanks for what you do. You are helping so many. I am about to purchase a laser 3 in 1 welder cleaner. I am getting a lot of mixed info. I know you said to "run from max" lasers. Would you recommend me getting a raycus 3 in 1, or a max 3 in 1 laser cleaner? Thanks for you help!

hi your video has helped me a lot in selecting the right laser. i think that the 50 watt jpt laser is the best

Another fantastic post. I’m not flooded with info. Until I found you it was an info desert.

This is a great. Thank you so much. Any idea what I need for engraving polyurethane thermoplastic material. This are for for medical and dental applications.

very good explanation bro!

Hi I’ve been reading a ton of stuff on these in preparation to get one for my business. My needs are primarily deep engraving and marking on mostly aluminum but some steel also. Ive scoured the Internet on what are the differences between the raycus and jpt lasers and from what i’ve learned the raycus is better for engraving, mostly because it’s faster. The biggest advantage of the jpt laser seems to be the color marking ability. With that said, if i wanted to add color marking to my business then what would i need a 50watt machine for? Seems a 20 or 30 watt machine would suffice. I’m talking down the road for a second machine. Did I get this correct or am I’m in left field?? 😂

wow.. now I understand some of it. I almost purchase the cheaper ones.. now I can reconsider it . 👍 thanks

A great introduction to all this. Can you tell me what power i need for marking bright white and black blacks on colored anodized aluminum?

Great explanation thanks

Awesome info´s, thanks for sharing ;-)

Alex, Love your videos. Very informative and intuitive. I will be making a Split Fiber Laser Machine purchase in the very near future and one thing I cannot seem to find consistent information on is depth of cut. I run a gunsmith shop and am required to mark receivers, barrels and frames. Receivers and barrels are either carbon steel or stainless. Frames can be those types of metal plus polymer. Don't believe I will be going outside of that material. I want my markings somewhere between .020-.030" deep in the steel. I have read that both 30w and 50w can both do the job, with 30w cutting between .002-.003 per pass and 50w cutting .003-.004 per pass. I've also had an email from a company tell me that with no real detail, cutting that deep could take hours. Can you tell me what you know (I appreciate facts and detail) and recommend? Your help is appreciated. Cheers-

I'm about to purchase one and they said laser source is Max and JPT and laser frequency is 20 - 80 kHz with cost 1500$ I have no idea but now I realized that I have to search for another, thank you for saving our time and sharing those details,

Thanks for the helpful info! Really appreciate it as a beginner. What would you recommend for someone with my profile: I am abeginner in Canada looking for first laser engraver. I'm mostly looking to engrave on business card -sized metal, wood, plastic. I don't expect this to be "forever" machine. Thanks!

GREAT VIDEO sir... would like to have your recommendation what fiber laser to get... application would be... inside engraving of rings... tnx

Awesome video!!

Learned a lot of useful information thank you! What machine do you recommend for laser engraving 2D and 3D on fire arms such as a pistol ?

I want to get started on engraving for my jewelry store in California. Will you ever consider offering any classes for beginners?

Excellent review. So to anneal I’ll need a JPT but it seems Cloudray offers only the Raycus. Who offers a 50w with the JPT?

Portable laser weld machine? Any example to read more info? Interested

Great info!

Great intro information to fiber lasers. Thank you. The background 'music' makes me nuts though.....

Thank you for this! So my main interest is black and color surface marking on small stainless steel charms (about 1" in size) on blank jewelry. I want to mark images and text for custom orders. I am also interested in doing stainless steel nameplate cut outs for necklaces. That's secondary. But if I could get a machine that does both for a small work space that would be great!

Hey Alex, After watching your videos I'm seriously considering getting a fiber laser. I already have a Co2 gantry-style machine. I really like the content you're are producing. I'm considering the Mactron JPT 50W with a 200x200mm lense. Any advice on this choice? I've never bought anything from AliExpress should I be concerned about anything?

very interesting thank you very much

What do you suggest? I want one of hobbies small stuff but also need to engrave handguns and rifle parts. And glass. Maybe cut wood if anything but over all what’s the best one in your thought?

Thank You so much for explaining in such a Simple, Lucid and easy flowing manner. Our company delivers fully machined cast parts weighing a few grams to over 9000 lbs single piece in fully machined / finished condition. For very large Heavy Parts which do not fit on the table and can only be placed on the Floor, How do we engrave a QR Code on them using a Portable Split System. Thank You in advance...

thank you for this wonderfull video. im thinking of buying a fiver laser. i have a co2 now and im more on engraving. my question is do i need to get a mopa if i only want is engraving like in tumblers, blank coins and blank metals? and another question is do i need to get 50w or 30w only considering my main purpose is to engrave on metals not making colors

Hello, Nice video. I have a question a bit off the field of marking. I am a hobbyist and as such have limited resources ($). I renovate old motorbikes and sometime have rusty parts. The marking machines can be found in the 2K, 3K $ price range, while the first cleaning laser are more in the 5K$ range. So my question is : could a marking machine used to remove rust (no commercial operation) ? If this kind of usage is possible, what kind of settings would you advise just to remove rust or clean without marking steel or aluminium ? Thank you in advance.

Would love to see a deep dive on the software options. It seems they all run ezcad but are there other software options that these lasers work with? I know in the 3D printer space it took forever for the software to hit stride with the hardware and really lower the learning curve for beginners. Are lasers similar?

very intersting thank you very much

Hey, really enjoyed your video. I've been looking into lasers for a long time and trying to navigate all the information was tough and tiring. I tried joining the discord page but the link was not active. I'm opening a custom gun and gunsmithing shop. And was looking at ways to engrave and color. Would you recommend the mopar? Also can I engrave on wood with fiber or is that only good with co2? Thanks again.

Hey Alex, I really appreciate all of this information. Truly and amazing wealth of knowledge. I have been following you for some time, but never purchased. I recently (impulsively) purchased a Laser Pecker 2. It was a good little machine but can’t even get close to what I want to do. To keep story short I returned it and am looking at at fiber laser with atleast a 30w raycus. What’s your thoughts on Omtech and Monport? They seem pretty reasonable on price and I’m really trying to stay on the lower end of budget. Thank you in advance!

Hi ! thanks for this great explaination! What do you think about EM-Smart one from 3plasers? it can deep engrave on staineless s?

Amazing video.l live in the Middle East and shipping is so expensive on every website expected on AliExpress. I found a raycus 20w fiber laser for $1544. Do you think I should get it or is Aliexpress not reliable? (By the way I’m on a budget)

Hello, thanks for sharing. Got many detailed information about various type of laser engraving machine. I've done some various type of engraving works with cnc diode machine and want to upgrade my business to mark and shallow engrave on stainless SUS 304 spoons & tumblers. I've read tons of information and some suggest to buy Raycus since it is higher in cost performance and have a good stability. Which go-to brand and power would you recommend? (btw, I'm on a budget under $3.000)

Hey Alex, what laser will you recommend for marking small jewellery? Looking forward to hearing from you thanks.

Great Information. My question is what laser you would recommend buying to engrave on golf clubs??

I’m thinking about getting a “muse pandora “ from full spectrum laser , do you have any video reviews on that brand?

Love your videos and just signed up for the Academy. Question: do folks who have more than one laser typically run their exhaust into a common vent that goes outside or do they run separate exhausts the whole way? Thanks.

Hi your information is really helping me in deciding which laser to get which is currently in my Amazon account waiting on funding. What computer should I buy to run this laser with as I want to buy one just for this machine thank you!

I just want to design and engrave on custom credit cards on a variety of metals/material applications. I want a system I can grow into even though it will be a slow side business initially. What's the best entry system for this use case?

Thank you very much for the great videos. I am researching a fiber and OMTech says their 80w frequency is 1-4000khz. Is this just very optimistic marketing ?

I have a 30 wat Max for over a year from HL Laser, no problems at all with the source.

Hello, can you speak to units for "laser cleaning" technology? I have a specialized application for removing mineral deposits from ceramic and/or cementeous surfaces without etching the substrate. The German IPG sounds intriguing as the ability to choose color would be valuable not to mention integrity of beam. Manufacturer(s) you'd suggest?

I plan to buy one for jewelry business, I looking for less complicate to use and which watts you recommend and brand with good price? Thank you.

I need it for gold cutting bangles how much power i should go far. Also can I use this with galvo head

Thank you so much

Hello I'm looking into buying a laser maching I have a budget and was looking between two machines. Which laser engraver would you say is better the stj-50f 50w or omg-x 50w. Thank you very much for you help in this matter and for your guidance.

Great video. Thank you Alexander for such a detailed overview. Can the JPT 50W cut through a stainless steel foil of 0.1mm ~ 0.2mm ? Like the stencils used in PCB manufacturing to make Solder Mask Stencils. Thanks again.

What I’m looking is a laser that can cut really thin metal for watch parts with precision! Could recommend or do a video about something like that? I don’t need to thick metal!

This is super helpful. I almost bought the wrong laser had it not been for this vid. Thanks!

I intend to do custom design engraving on firearms. The specs on the Macron 50W seem perfect, but they never mention firearm style engraving in their list of examples. Is this machine capable of the typical engraving on hard metals?

Hi there. I am looking to get a fiber laser engraving machine for small jewelry work. I would like to do some deep engraving and cutting with it as well. Will a 30w machine do the same job as a 50w machine but take just longer? Thanks

very good ,beautiful,it is useful.

Thanks for a great channel, will definately sign up to be a patreon! I'm about to pull the trigger for a 50W laser but still is very confused regarding models and brands. I was set to get a Cloudray JPT 50W Fiber but slowly im starting to realise that they only offer the MOPA type of laser and the more I google JPT laser the more I see that they all seem to be MOPA versions. JPT doesn't offer a regular fiber laser 50W version or am I wrong? And if I decide to get the JPT LP+ MOPA anyways, what are the disadvantages really compared to a Raycus, are the MOPAs worse in power even if theyre both 50W and is the JPT MOPA slower no matter what then a Raycus?

hi im looking to laser etch keycaps do you know if its possible with anything besides a fiber laser, mainly bc of the price. thanks love the vids

Hi, what do you rrecommend for a vintage and classic car restoration business in terms of rust removal, paint removal etc

Hey Alex, what about a POVOKICI JPT 50W Fiber Laser? Will it be as good as the JPT you mentioned in the video?

Hello. Can you please give some info on the medically used Thulium Fiber Lasers

Thank you for your videos, I found a seller that wants to sell 20W for $1250. I've asked a couple of questions, do you think the price is realistic?

First, I was ecstatic to find this video!!! I'm in the process of starting a business that will heavily depend on laser engraving. I've been doing my homework on various fiber lasers in general, it's great to see a knowledgeable channel that isn't manufacturer sponsored. I did already know that I need a MOPA Fiber laser. That said, your breakdown really cleared up a couple of things for me, especially in relation to pulse frequency. Quick question, are you familiar with LaserStar? If so, what do you think of their products & services? At any rate...back to binging on your channel!

What would you recommend for marking and engraving on hardened knife steel. Im a knife maker and want to engrave my makers mark and designs?

Thanks for the very useful video. Can you please share what is the red machine behinde you? I'm looking for a non-commercial fiber laser that's attached to a cnc machine. Anything you can recommend?

I'm curious. What feature do I need to look for to color Titanium?

thanks!

All i need to know is what would be good for clean detailed scroll work on SS ? Yes I’m talking about firearms. My thinking is if I purchase a machine that can do that without issue , it can do a lot more I may need- various text, knotwork,simple images simply . I’m assuming there’s been improvements since 2021 also.

Any recommendation for engraving firearms to simulate hand engraved scrollworks? I’m wanting it deep such that it’s tactile, not too superficial like a scratch (not sure if I’m explaining well.) Any recommendations? And thank you for this video!

i cant thank you enough for this video.

I'm looking for a low-cost recommendation for a laser to mark 1" tungsten carbide tool bits. Which one should I purchase?.

Question: Does your parameter libraly also contains Q pulse settings for MOPA laser?

Great info... I just purchased a 100W JPT MOPA laser from FST (Foster Laser) and while I haven't received it yet; the customer service has been very good. I went with the extra power as I am doing cutting as well as engraving. The reason for the MOPA was I have some specific design ideas that I think will bring some extra value to my stainless steel ideas. Do you have any MOPA color experience? I am a little concerned about the corrosion that can appear with the color marking... I think I'll just have to experiment. I love the channel and the content!

Great video, I have been reading up on these casually for the last month and still learned a bunch. I have a really strange requirement for a product I am making. I need to cut 0.1 mm titanium sheets/foil with parts as long as 300 mm. They are custom and have some intricate cuts (meaning it is cost prohibitive to have a cutting die made at this point, and impossible to manually cut the parts). It is really difficult to use a traditional CNC laser to cut these parts as they won't stay put, frankly the systems are much more than what I need (and really expensive too). Great tip on the Cloudray lasers. I couldn't find what laser source they are using. Do you or anyone here happen to know?

Hi bro, thanks for your lot of information.. Now I'm plan for newly plan for start fiber laser engraving & marking business.. Pls help to suggest Machine purchase details.

Hi. I am just starting out, so support is going to be key. I will need hands on training and someone to be able to answer questions in the beginnig. Which company has the best and most accessible tech support?

Great video! do you know if the 30w laser can engrave stainless steel deep? about .5 to 1mm deep