Laser engraving of wood: cutting and materials

Laser engraving on wood is a technique that allows for precise and detailed engraving of patterns or text. This method uses a laser beam to vaporize the wood in the desired areas, creating an engraving. It is a particularly effective and durable process because it works with high precision and ensures long-lasting results. For these reasons, it is highly valued in both crafts and industry.

This technique can be used to create precise engravings on various types of wood and can produce decorations on panels, fences, barrels, toys, plaques, signs, and furniture. The laser wood engraving markers we provide can also code and engrave several millimeters thick with logos, barcodes, and alphanumeric characters.

How Laser Cutting Works

Laser engraving offers many possibilities for creative design, such as creating graphics or messages on a wooden object. The desired design is first created in a special computer program and then transferred to the laser through the sublimation process, which is the transition from a solid to a gaseous state, occurring here through combustion. The laser beam is passed over the material and is directly converted onto the wood surface. Depending on the laser's intensity, it is possible to create both fine and deep engravings.

What Influences Laser Engraving on Wood

The type of wood used naturally affects the final result. Guidelines suggest that the engraving will be darker on hardwoods, such as ebony, oak, or beech, while it will be lighter on softwoods like pine, fir, or redwood. The more uniform the wood's color, the better the laser engraving result. It is also important to remember that wood is a natural material, so it has imperfections that make it unique but can cause issues during engraving. Therefore, the density and resin content of the chosen wood must be considered. If the resin content is low, as in poplar and maple, the laser beam vaporizes the wood, leaving minimal burning.
When it is high, as in cherry and alder, the laser beam consumes the resin and digs deeper into the wood, producing a darker burn.
Most CO2 lasers are capable of handling engraving processes on various types of wood, such as plywood, particleboard, teak, cork, cherry, solid wood, maple, and oak.
However, it is important to prepare the wood for engraving by sanding it and removing dust to ensure a smooth surface to work on.