Tim here. One question we get every week: "Can my CO2 laser engrave metal?" And the honest answer is, not really. You can mark coated metal or use a spray-on compound, but you're mucking about, and it's never as crisp or as permanent as you want.
That's the job a fibre laser does. FLUX has just brought out the Promark range, and we've got them on preorder now.
Promark Desktop Safe+ 20W ($4,650 inc GST)
This is the one most workshops will want. It's a 20W Q-switched fibre source with a 0.03 mm spot, up to 10,000 mm/s, and a 220 x 220 mm work area. There's a camera to line up your artwork, a red-light preview so you can see where it's going to hit, and a motorised lift with dynamic focus so you're not shimming parts with bits of cardboard.
It's fully enclosed (Class 1), which matters more than people think. You can run it in an office or a classroom without everyone in goggles. It works in Beam Studio and LightBurn, so if you've already got a FLUX CO2 machine, the software's the same.
Look at the feather detail in that coin. That's the 0.03 mm spot doing its thing. For most of our customers it'll be less glamorous: serial numbers and QR codes on parts, logos on tools, tags, and personalised gifts.
Promark MOPA Safe+ 20W ($7,245 inc GST)
The MOPA version lets you control the pulse, which gets you colour marks on stainless steel and titanium, and proper dark, high-contrast marks on aluminium. If you're doing premium products or jewellery that's worth the extra. The catch is the work area drops to 110 x 110 mm, so it's for smaller pieces.
Which one?
If you want permanent black-and-white marks and a bigger bed, get the 20W Desktop. If colour or anodised aluminium is the whole point, go MOPA. And if you mostly cut wood and acrylic, stick with a CO2 machine like the Beambox II. A fibre laser won't cut those.
Honest bit: both are preorder right now, so check the ETA on the product page before you plan a job around it. If you've got a part you want marked and you're not sure which machine suits, flick me a message or send it in and we'll sort out what'll work.
Promark Desktop Safe+ 20W | Promark MOPA Safe+ 20W
Cheers,
Tim