Vpliv nastavitev vlakenskega laserja na kakovost gravure

Dolenc, Jakob (author), Muck, Deja (mentor)

V diplomski nalogi je raziskano delovanje fiber oziroma vlakenskega laserja. Namen naloge je bil raziskati vpliv nastavitev parametrov laserja na kakovost graviranja različnih materialov, cilj pa določiti optimalne parametre za doseganje najvišje kakovosti gravure na različnih materialih. Preučeno je bilo, kako se posamezni materiali odzivajo na različne nastavitve in kakšne prilagoditve so potrebne za dosego najboljših rezultatov. Eksperimentalni del je bil izveden s pomočjo vlakenskega laserja z valovno dolžino 1064 nm in močjo 30 W. Testiranje je bilo opravljeno na različnih materialih, vključno s kovinami (aluminij, nerjavno jeklo, baker, pocinkano železo), plastiko (ABS, polikarbonat), naravnimi materiali (lepenka, pravo in umetno usnje) ter površinsko obdelanimi materiali (anodiziran aluminij, prašno barvano železo). Pri graviranju je bila sistematično spreminjana moč v razponu od 20 % do 80 %, frekvenca od 20 kHz do 80 kHz ter hitrost od 1000 mm/s do 10 000 mm/s. Rezultati so pokazali, da so za različne materiale potrebne specifične nastavitve, saj univerzalne vrednosti ne zagotavljajo optimalnih rezultatov. Pri kovinah so bile najbolj učinkovite nižje frekvence in višja moč, saj so omogočile globlje in bolj kontrastne gravure. Pri plastiki in barvanih površinah se je najbolje obnesla višja frekvenca in nižja moč, saj je preprečila deformacije in ožganine. Pri naravnih materialih, kot sta les in usnje, je bilo treba prilagoditi moč in hitrost, da se je preprečila neenakomerna gravura ali prekomerna odstranitev materiala. Poseben del raziskave je bil namenjen izdelavi tiskovne forme za tampotisk kot metode preverjanja kakovosti laserske gravure v praktični uporabi. S tem je bilo mogoče rezultate graviranja neposredno ovrednotiti prek kakovosti odtisa, kar je dodatno potrdilo ugotovitve o optimalnih parametrih. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da pravilna prilagoditev parametrov omogoča izboljšanje natančnosti gravure, zmanjšanje napak in povečanje ponovljivosti rezultatov. Praktične ugotovitve raziskave so uporabne tako v industriji kot pri individualnih uporabah laserskega graviranja, saj omogočajo boljše razumevanje vpliva nastavitev na različne materiale. Nadaljnje raziskave bi lahko vključevale avtomatizacijo prilagajanja parametrov z uporabo umetne inteligence ter preučitev vpliva različnih vrst zaščitnih premazov na kakovost gravure.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: lasersko graviranje, optimizacija parametrov, kovine, plastika, naravni materiali, frekvenca laserja
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175405
• Publication date in RUL: 25.10.2025

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Influence of Fiber Laser Settings on Engraving Quality

Abstract

In this diploma thesis, the operation of fiber lasers was investigated. The aim of the thesis was to examine the influence of laser parameter settings on the engraving quality of various materials, with the goal of determining the optimal parameters for achieving the highest engraving quality across different materials. The study analyzed how individual materials respond to different settings and what adjustments are required to achieve the best results. The experimental part was carried out using a fiber laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm and a power of 30 W. Testing was performed on various materials, including metals (aluminum, stainless steel, copper, galvanized iron), plastics (ABS, polycarbonate), natural materials (cardboard, genuine and synthetic leather), and surface-treated materials (anodized aluminum, powder-coated iron). During engraving, the power was systematically varied in the range of 20% to 80%, the frequency from 20 kHz to 80 kHz, and the speed from 1000 mm/s to 10,000 mm/s. The results showed that specific settings are required for different materials, as universal values do not guarantee optimal results. For metals, lower frequencies and higher power proved to be the most effective, enabling deeper and more contrasting engravings. For plastics and painted surfaces, higher frequency and lower power were most suitable, as they prevented deformation and burn marks. For natural materials, such as wood and leather, it was necessary to adjust the power and speed to avoid uneven engraving or excessive material removal. A special part of the research focused on producing a printing plate for pad printing as a method of evaluating the practical applicability of laser engraving. This approach made it possible to directly assess the engraving results through print quality, which further confirmed the findings regarding the optimal parameters. It was found that proper parameter adjustment improves engraving precision, reduces errors, and increases result repeatability. The practical findings of the research are applicable both in industrial production and in individual uses of laser engraving, as they enable a better understanding of the influence of settings on various materials. Further research could include the automation of parameter adjustments using artificial intelligence, as well as the examination of the impact of different types of protective coatings on engraving quality.

• Keywords: laser engraving, parameter optimization, metals, plastics, natural materials, laser frequency