Laser Engraving on Metal: A Simple Guide

Laser engraving is currently the most advanced method for marking designs on metal. Unlike traditional tools, it uses a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize the surface, leaving a permanent mark.

Why Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving works on many types of metal, including:

• Stainless steel
• Titanium
• Aluminum
• Copper
• Gold
• Silver

Compact and safer laser engravers are now widely available, making them perfect for:

• Custom jewelry with detailed designs
• Engraving trophies with names, dates, and achievements
• Creating personalized crafts with a clean, professional finish

Tools You’ll Need

The main tool is a laser engraver.

• For businesses and industrial use: Fiber lasers are best.
• For DIY and hobby projects: Desktop engravers with diode or infrared (IR) lasers work well.

How to Laser Engrave Metal with Ortur

Follow these simple steps:

1. Get or create your design file.
Use LightBurn or LaserGRBL software to design or import your artwork.

2. Place your metal on the machine.
If it’s a round item (like a tumbler), attach the YRC or YRR for support.

3. Set the engraving mode.
– Flat surface? Use Laser Flat mode.
– Round object? Switch to Laser Cylindrical mode.

4. Enter metal size.
Input the thickness or diameter so the machine can set the laser height automatically. You can also adjust it manually with the knob.

5. Upload and position your design.
Drag your design into the software and adjust its placement.

6. Set parameters.
Use the recommended Ortur settings for best results—this affects how the final engraving looks.

7. Preview the engraving.
– Use the blue light preview or framing to check positioning.
– Make any final adjustments.

8. Start engraving.
Once everything looks good, hit Start. The Ortur LM3 engraves at up to 20,000 mm/min, so most jobs finish in seconds to minutes.

9. Optional: Run multiple passes for deeper engraving.

10. Clean the surface once the engraving is done.