People often confuse the services of laser marking, etching, and engraving. Although these technologies might look similar to you, the results are completely different. Each service has its pros and cons, including metal etching machines.
Laser
etching is a process where the laser triggers a thermal and chemical change on
the material's surface to alter its color. On the other hand, metal etching machine
, laser marking
involves leaving slight bumps or indents on the metal's surface but does not go
as deep as laser engraving.
Metal etching
refers to removing the chemical in the metal while adding a laser to balance
it. There are two ways in which metal is etched. The first option involves
melting the surface material but not enough to evaporate it. When the material
cools down, it leaves visible markings on the material surface.
The
second method involves using an additional chemical that will react with the metal's
surface when heated by the laser. These chemicals are sold as sprays.
What do you need? : Laser etching metal is an easy process. You can do it at home even with low relative power. So, to etch metal with a laser, you need a machine equipped with at least 60W of power. Like ametal engraving machine, it must have a power rating of less than 60W to leave your art on the metal.