UV Cold Lasers
Utilizes photochemical cold ablation with minimal thermal dissipation. Essential for sensitive substrates including glass, silicon, heat-sensitive polymers, and delicate medical devices without structural degradation or micro-cracks.
Choosing the correct laser source is the most critical decision in industrial manufacturing. Wavelength selection directly dictates energy absorption, heat-affected zones (HAZ), marking contrast, and processing speeds. Based on 30+ years of UK manufacturing experience and hundreds of thousands of material application tests, this standardized compatibility guide clarifies process suitability for UV, MOPA Fiber, and CO2 lasers across metals, polymers, glass, ceramics, and organic substrates.
Utilizes photochemical cold ablation with minimal thermal dissipation. Essential for sensitive substrates including glass, silicon, heat-sensitive polymers, and delicate medical devices without structural degradation or micro-cracks.
The definitive industrial engine for direct part marking (DPM) on metals and engineering plastics. MOPA pulse width adjustment enables annealing, deep engraving, high-contrast surface marking, and color marking on stainless steel and titanium.
High thermal absorption source specifically optimized for non-metallic and organic materials. Delivers unmatched speed for cutting, engraving, and perforating acrylics, hardwoods, textiles, glass surfaces, and paper products.
Fibre lasers dominate industrial metal processing, delivering permanent high-contrast Direct Part Marking (DPM), serialisation, and UID barcodes compliant with aerospace and defense standards.
| Substrate Material | Marking Capability | Deep Engraving | Precision Cutting | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | |
| Aluminium (Raw / Cast) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Anodised Aluminium | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Stainless Steel | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Titanium & Titanium Alloys | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Brass & Copper (Reflective) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Precious Metals (Gold & Silver) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Coated & Painted Metals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Metal Foils (Up to 0.1mm) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
Different polymers exhibit distinct chemical interactions under laser radiation. 355nm UV lasers provide cold-marking without foaming or melting, while MOPA fiber lasers deliver high-contrast marks on dark technical resins.
| Polymer Substrate | Marking Capability | Surface Engraving | Precision Cutting | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | |
| ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Acrylic (PMMA / Perspex) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Polyethylene (PE / HDPE) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Polyamide (PA / Nylon) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| PET & PETG | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Silicone & Elastomers | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Tritan™ (BPA-Free Plastics) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
Clear materials, minerals, and organic fibers require tailored optical setups. CO2 laser systems excel at high-speed organic cutting, whereas UV lasers achieve fine crack-free micro-etching on glass and technical ceramics.
| Organic / Mineral Material | Surface Etching & Marking | Engraving Depth | Cutting Performance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | UV | Fiber | CO2 | |
| Glass & Crystal Products | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Technical Ceramics & Silicon | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Carbon Fiber Composites | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Hardwoods & Softwoods | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Natural & Synthetic Leather | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Paper & Industrial Cardboard | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Stone, Marble & Granite | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Compatibility matrix data provides baseline technical feasibility. However, real-world manufacturing performance is heavily influenced by chemical additives, surface finish, layer thickness, and laser parameters.
Flame retardants, glass fibers, and color pigments significantly alter optical energy absorption. Free sample testing is recommended for flame-retardant thermoplastics.
Highly reflective materials like polished copper require precise pulse management to avoid back-reflection optical damage. 3D galvo tracking maintains focus across curved geometries.
Processing PVC or chlorinated compounds releases harmful corrosive gases. All industrial systems require dedicated particulate and gas extraction filtration.
Aerospace and medical components require zero micro-cracking and negligible thermal deformation. 355nm UV laser wavelengths provide cold ablation to ensure structural integrity.
Send your parts directly to our UK application laboratories. Our engineering specialists analyze cycle times, contrast quality, and process compliance, returning a full application report before machine procurement.
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