Crystal Laser Engraving Process Principle

When we think of lasers, we easily think of their applications in machining. However, besides industrial applications, laser technology also has numerous uses in handicrafts. Laser engraving utilizes CNC technology as its foundation and lasers as the processing medium. Under laser irradiation, the material undergoes instantaneous melting and vaporization, achieving the engraving effect. Laser engraving uses laser technology to write text on objects. This technique produces text without scratches, leaving the object surface smooth, and the text does not wear off.

When I think of laser-made handicrafts, the first thing that comes to mind is internal crystal engraving. Crystal has a smooth, hard exterior without any gaps. Those unfamiliar with the underlying technology cannot fathom how the internal patterns are created.

In fact, most handicrafts we see are not real crystal, but artificial crystal. “Laser” is the most useful tool for “internal engraving” of artificial K9 crystal (also known as “crystal glass”). Using laser internal engraving technology, flat or three-dimensional patterns are “carved” into the interior of the crystal glass.

These glass and crystal handicrafts are made using computer-controlled laser engraving machines. The laser machine injects a specific wavelength of laser light into the glass or crystal, causing tiny bursts of energy in specific areas to form bubbles, thus outlining the predetermined shape.

Laser Engraving Principle

The principle of laser engraving is actually quite simple. For a laser to engrave glass, its energy density must exceed a certain critical value, or threshold, that would damage the glass. The energy density of a laser at a given point is related to the size of its spot at that point; the smaller the spot size of the same laser beam, the greater the energy density. Thus, by properly focusing the laser, the energy density can be kept below the glass’s damage threshold before entering the glass and reaching the processing area, while exceeding this threshold in the desired processing area. The laser generates pulses in a very short time, and its energy can instantly heat and break the crystal, creating tiny white dots that carve the predetermined shape inside the glass.