10 Best Laser Engraving Machine for Metal

The process of engraving has been used from ancient times to put marks on the matter for decoration, sending messages, etc but best metal engraving machines yet to be discover. The past hand tools have been replaced by these best metal engraving machines that offer less user fatigue, ease of work, precision, and accuracy.

The following article lists the 10 best metal engraving machines that you can use for marking a wide variety of materials including wood, alloys, bamboo, leather, etc.

HeatSign ($890.00)

This laser engraving machine works for metals and plastic parts. It includes a rotary chuck and can mark both flat and circle surface. The high-speed laser marking can mark up to 70,000mm/s and is suitable for a marking area of 175mm x 175mm. It has more than 100000-hour life and requires little to no maintenance. It is easy to operate, consumes less power and has an advanced cooling system.

Available here.

Ten-high ($2096.80)

This unit comes with a four axis engraver with a built-in drill, a mill, and lathe. The machine fully supports MACH3, Wentai, TYPE CNC and other commonly used software systems. It can engrave soft wood, PVC, acrylic, plywood, etc. For iron, copper, steel, the max engraving depth should be lower than 2mm. And every engraving depth should be 0.1mm better with adding water to avoid abrading. It is rugged, offers dynamic performance, precise and makes clean and clear contours.

Available here.

Pepe Tools ($748.00)

This flat engraving machine can engrave silver, gold, copper, brass and bronze. It offers 15 different ratios from 2 1/2″:1 to 6:1 and can carve letters on jewelry up to ¼” tall and as small as 3/32” tall. It is also adjustable to accommodate articles of varying heights. The article-holding table holds item to be engraved, turns 360 degrees, can lock at every 45-degree increment and adjusts left or right of center. The engraver also includes a storage drawer.

Available here.

Neje Metal Engraving Machines ($117.99)

This laser engraving machine uses Bitmap engraving. You can use acrylic, aluminum, and stainless steel. It is compatible with  Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows XP, Windows 10 and can also work offline if you have pre-stored the picture. Comes with a pair of protective glasses to protect your eyes from getting hurt by laser. It offers high precision and stability.

Specifications By The Manufacturer:

1. Laser Power: 1000 mWatts
2. Laser Wave Length: 405 nanometers
3. Image Engraving Pattern: Bitmap Engraving.

Available here.

Holdwell ($245.00)

This semi-automatic, metal stamping printer can engrave all types of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, plastic tag for mechanical, electrical, pumps, valves, automobiles, motorcycles, electrical appliances. It has variable parameters: such as dog tag, a particular model, date, batch number, serial number, serial number and so on.

Specifications By The Manufacturer:

1. Depth: 0.1 – 0.3mm deep
2. Maximum label size: 200*130mm
3. Print characters: uppercase letters, digits, and simple symbols
4. Font size: 2 mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm
5. Print speed: about 2-4 characters / 10 seconds
6. Printing content including A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W X Y Z 123456789. X / –

Available here.

CNC Shop Metal Engraving Machines ($685.99)

This unit is a CNC, four axes, engraving and cutting machine. It is ideal for industrial processing as well as a hobbyist. It can be used in making building model making, PCB, advertising signs, artwork, crafts, aircraft models, RC Model parts, etc.

Specifications By The Manufacturer:

1. Working Area: X/Y/Z=200*300*50 mm
2. Shape dimension: 550*400*350 mm
3. Worktable Dimension: 200*300*15 mm
4. Spindle Speed: 300~8000 rpm/min
5. Spindle Motor: 200 w DC motor
6. Carving speed: 0 – 2000 mm/min

Available here.

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Sunwin ($549.00)

This mini laser engraver comes with an integrated DIY printer. It is easy to operate and supports Windows 7/8 10. It has an adjustable laser power and a stepper motor for accuracy (step precision: 0.00625mm). The maximum engraving area is 140*200mm while the engraving speed measures 0.02-0.2 seconds/pixel. USB interface offered. You can carve stainless steel, iron, aluminum, ceramics, stone, wood, bamboo, leather, plastics, etc.

Available here.

CncShop Metal Engraving Machines ($549.99)

This unit is a 3-axis, router, engraver, Miller machine. This CNC router machine can engrave much more materials by spiral flute bits, such as metal, steel, MDF board, solid wood, composite board plywood, and stone. It is ideal for processing industry materials as well as for hobbyists. 

Specifications By The Manufacturer:

1. Working Area: X/Y/Z=200*300*50 mm
2. Worktable Dimension: 200*300*15 mm
3. Shape size:550*400*350 mm
4. Spindle Speed: 300~8000rpm/min
5. Spindle Motor: 200 w dc motor
6. Carving speed: 0-2000 mm/min

“Great machine so far. As a retired machinist (used CNC lathes, mills, EDM machines) it has been nice having a mini-CNC to work with on my telescope-making projects. I was able to generate large a four piece corrector cell for a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with it. I was also able to secure the secondary mirror support and some of the primary mirror support components. Having fun.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.

Available here.

Kohstar ($2249.00)

This engraving tool is lightweight and laser marking. The unit is programmed through a PC. It can mark on a variety of hard materials such as metal and plastic. The screw holes make it convenient to fix it on the table. It has a rotary axis for circular marking, fixture holder for holding products and is robust and easy to install. It marks parts with a height up to 300 mm and has incredibly high marking precision and accuracy.

Available here.

Super Carver ($124.99)

This laser engraving printer comes with a sturdy design, high precision, and accuracy. The 1000 mW power can engrave most materials such as wood, paper, acrylic, leather, resin, spray metal, etc.

Specifications By The Manufacturer:

1. Power: 1000 mW
2. Colour: Black
3. Material: Alloy & Iron
4. Support all Window systems (Win 97/2003/XP/7/8/10)
5. Maximum Engraving area: 1.5 x 1.5inch
6. Max. working range:3.94 x 2.36inch

“This is a cool little engraver. It was very easy to set up and figure out. I’ve been having a lot of fun with it so far. It really can’t engrave on a toothpick, FYI. I got this to engrave titles on security RFID cards. I’m not a fan of the text input unit comes with, but I did find a workaround that I like. I just have to do all my text in a paint program, save it, and drag it over. I can control how big or small with that, and I can even adjust a little as to where the text shows up. If you are interested at all in one of these, it’s well worth the cost. I love the saved image it features.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.

Available here.

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How to Choose the Best Laser Engraver for Metal

Working with metal can be extremely challenging, especially when it comes to engraving. To make sure that your laser engraver can handle the job, there are a few key factors you should consider. Things like type, size, software compatibility, special features, and budget all come into play when selecting the best machine for your needs. Let’s take a look at each of these elements in more detail. 

A) Type of Laser Engraver For Metal

Choosing the right type of laser engraver for metal is key to making sure a project is done precisely and produces high-quality results. When it comes to metal laser engravers, there are essentially three types.

1. CO2 Laser Engraver:

A CO2 laser engraver is ideal for engraving on metals such as aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, titanium, and other soft metals. The mix consists of helium and is used to engrave sign boards, branding, etc. It can also be used on other materials such as wood, plastic, acrylics, and glass.

The advantage of using a CO2 laser engraver is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of laser engravers. However, due to the wavelength of the light emitted from a CO2 laser engraver (10.6 microns), it does not penetrate deeper into metal than other types of lasers which emit shorter wavelengths. 

2. Fiber Laser Engraver:

This type of laser engraver uses an infrared beam to achieve deeper penetration into metal surfaces. This makes fiber laser engravers ideal for applications that require deep etching or marking on metals such as hard and reflective surfaces like stainless steel or titanium.

Further, fiber lasers have higher power levels than CO2 lasers which allows them to work faster while still providing excellent results in terms of precision and detail level in their markings or etchings. The downside is that fiber lasers are more expensive than CO2 models so they may not be suitable for everyone’s budget. 

3. YAG Laser Engraver: 

YAG (Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet) lasers use a mixture of yttrium oxide and aluminum oxide to create a laser beam that is capable of deep penetration into materials such as metals without causing any damage to the surface itself. 

This makes YAG lasers perfect for detailed etching or marking on materials like stainless steel or titanium because the depth penetration can be controlled precisely without risking damage to the material’s surface layer or integrity. YAG models tend to be more expensive than other types so they may not be suitable for everyone’s budget either.

B) Define what you need the laser engraver to do 

When it comes to choosing a laser engraver for metal, it’s important to first understand what you need the machine to do. Typically, these devices are used for cutting metal into intricate shapes or for etching onto surfaces for decorative purposes. If you’re looking for a machine that does only one of these functions, you can narrow down your search significantly by considering several key factors.

• First, identify the specific metals you wish to use.
• Selecting a laser engraver suited to your desired metals will be of utmost importance due to both power and performance differences across materials.
• consider the amount of fine detail you want in the finished product. This factor might be determined by the type of project you’re looking to complete.

c) Metal Type 

The type of metal you will be working with sets the stage. Doing research ahead of time can be extremely beneficial in finding the ideal laser engraver so you can pursue your projects effectively. Alloy materials tend to cause burns during etching and should be avoided when seeking a higher-quality engraving.

Choose metals like steel, copper, and aluminum that are resilient, as these materials withstand most temperatures without any adverse effects. Always remember to stay safe when selecting your metal choices. Take special precautions when working with hazardous metals like cadmium or chromium that produce toxic gasses in high temperatures.

Power Rating 

When choosing the best laser engraver for metal, it is important to pay close attention to the power output of the engraver. Different jobs and materials will require higher or lower power output levels. For instance, metals that are thicker or harder require more powerful output levels than soft metals and thin sheets.

Furthermore, if you plan on working with a wide range of materials, it can be useful to select an engraver with multiple wattages available so you can adjust according to your needs. Whatever your project requirements may be, taking into account a device’s maximum power output can help you decide whether an engraver is right for your task.

Size  

If you’re looking to do intricate work, you’ll need an engraver that is capable of producing precise lines and detailed patterns on small pieces of metal. On the other hand, if you’re working with larger pieces of metal or require more coverage area for your project, then a larger laser engraver may be needed. 

The size of the laser beam itself is also important. Larger beams are better suited to larger projects while smaller beams are better suited to fine details and intricate work. 

Special Features 

Having access to additional features such as 3-D printing, UV filters, the ability to engrave curves, and air-assist or water-cooling can come in handy when working with metal, so it’s important to make sure that these features are available on any machine that you consider buying. Air assist helps keep heat away from delicate surfaces while water cooling helps dissipate heat at faster rates than air cooling alone.

Budget

It’s important to consider how much money you’re willing to spend on a laser engraver for metal projects. While some machines may have all the bells and whistles but come at a hefty price tag, others offer similar functionality at much lower cost points. finding the right balance between quality and affordability is key when choosing a machine for your specific needs.

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