MOPA fiber laser: performance and versatility for your projects
Explore the MOPA fiber laser: how it works, its advantages and limits, and the best materials and applications for this laser engraving technology.
Thanks to its high precision and versatility, the MOPA fiber laser (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) is compatible with most plastics and enables high-contrast black markings on stainless steel and aluminum. This greatly benefits the automotive, electronics, and even jewelry industries. From benefits to limitations to applications, here's everything you need to know about the MOPA laser engraver.
What is a MOPA fiber laser?
A MOPA laser is a fiber laser that uses a Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) system, combining a master oscillator (the laser source) with one or more power amplifiers. This amplification optimizes the power, pulse duration, and quality of the laser beam generated.
MOPA fiber laser
Technical features
The MOPA laser stands out for its technical versatility:
- Frequency can be modulated over a wide range up to 4,000 kHz, offering maximum flexibility for various applications.
- Laser pulse duration can be adjusted to predefined values between 2 and 500 nanoseconds (ns).
This technical modularity allows for matching fiber lasers with relatively long pulses and reproducing the properties of short-pulse lasers such as YVO4.
MOPA laser
Advantages
This adaptability makes the MOPA fiber laser a preferred technology for a wide variety of industrial applications. The adjustable pulse duration allows marking a wide range of materials, from stainless steel and precious metals to plastics and anodized aluminum.
From an aesthetic and qualitative point of view, several types of marking can be envisaged:
- Homogeneous and contrasting on plastic.
- Black on aluminum, without damaging the protective oxide layer.
- Precise on metals, reducing the risk of thermal burns.
This reduction in heat development limits the areas affected and prevents any risk of corrosion.
Finally, the MOPA laser engraver features an air-cooling system. A design that reduces maintenance operations and promotes equipment durability.
MOPA laser
Limits
The MOPA fiber laser is certainly compatible with fragile and precious materials. However, it is unsuitable for engraving and marking projects on wood, glass, and certain plastics.
The success of engraving and marking projects relies on precisely calibrating beam power, pulse duration and frequency to suit the material. This additional manipulation is more complex than with other technologies.
From a financial perspective, investing in a MOPA laser engraver requires a higher initial cost than a fiber laser machine. However, this cost is largely offset by the flexibility of use offered by this technology.
What are the application fields for MOPA lasers?
Metal marking
MOPA fiber lasers are widely used for marking:
- Stainless steel (by surface oxidation).
- Precious metals used in the luxury goods (jewelry), personalization, and craft industries.
- Aluminum (electronic parts and consumer signage).
Plastic marking
Compared with other engraving and marking methods, the MOPA laser engraver reduces foaming and melting of sensitive plastics. Less aggressive, this technology is particularly suitable for marking fine and technical plastics, notably in the automotive and electronics industries (printed circuits, housings…).
Identification
- Electronics for high-volume marking and micro-machining.
- Automotive used to identify mechanical, plastic, and electronic parts.
Personalization
- Luxury goods ideal for jewelry personalization.
- Consumer goods suitable for personalizing objects such as souvenirs and gifts…
What are the differences between MOPA fiber laser and other marking technologies?
| Criteria | MOPA laser | Fiber laser | CO2 laser | DPSS laser |
| Technology | Master oscillator amplification with pulse duration (2 to 500 ns). Wavelength 1,064 nm. | Laser fiber with fixed pulse duration s(≃ 100 ns). Wavelength 1,064 nm. | CO2 gas-based laser. Wavelength 10,600 nm. | Diode-pumped solid-state laser, using crystals (YVO4 or YAG), with various wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, 1,064 nm). |
| Applications | High-contrast black marking on steel and aluminum, and high-precision marking on plastics | Deep marking or engraving on metals and some plastics. | Engraving on organic materials (wood, glass, leather). | Precision marking on heat-sensitive plastics, reflective metals and multilayer materials. |
| Advantages | Versatility, high-contrast, low temperature, aesthetic quality and precision. | Easy to use, relatively low cost, varied applications. | Specific applications, relatively low cost. | High precision, low thermal footprint, adaptability to various materials, long service life, low maintenance. |
| Limitations | More complex configuration, unsuitable for organic materials. | Less effective on fine, high-contrast markings, not very flexible. | Incompatible with metals (except anodized aluminum and coated metal), poor field of action on plastic (white marking possible on the surface of some transparent plastics). | High cost, less suitable for large surfaces or high-speed applications. |