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Diode Lasers Overview

What are Diode Laser Machines?

A Diode Laser Machine is a laser engraver and/or cutting machine that uses a semiconductor divide to emit coherent light. A Laser Diode uses electricity to stimulate semiconductive materials that will release photons. Diodes contain mirrors which deflect energy through a lens to create the laser beam used for engraving and cutting materials.

It is well known that there are a TON of laser machines out in the market for Makers to choose from. The first step is deciding which type of laser is right for you. CO2 Lasers and Diode Lasers are both laser machines but there are quite a few differences we will cover today.

Before we move on, we have a few basic laser safety guidelines to share. You should always make sure that you are in a well ventilated area and use extraction equipment to remove any fumes and gasses from the airspace. You should never leave your laser running unattended and always know where the emergency shutdown procedures for your machine are in the event of one. 

CO2 Laser vs Diode Laser

There’s a difference between laser machines and different types of lasers?! Yes, there certainly is! Let’s explore some of the differences between the CO2 Laser and Diode Laser.

Power

CO2 lasers are much more powerful than diode lasers. They require less power output to engrave and cut materials compared to a diode laser. Typically CO2 laser optical power ranges are from 40W-300W whereas diode lasers are 5W-15W. 

Speed

Diode lasers are slower than CO2 lasers. On average, a diode laser engraves and cuts materials at less than 10,000 mm/minute. A CO2 laser can usually engrave and cut up to 18,000 mm/minute. 

Versatility

CO2 lasers can cut and engrave a wider variety of materials compared to a Diode laser. For example, you don’t want a Diode laser if you plan on using clear acrylic! 

Portability

Diode lasers are much more portable than CO2 lasers. Many of them come in compact designs that are suitable for Makers on the go. Typically CO2 lasers are bigger and heavier machines that cannot be moved around as easily. 

Edge Finishes

Since CO2 lasers are more powerful and take less time to cut and engrave than Diode lasers, they leave a cleaner finish on the edges of the material. There is less charring than materials that are cut with a diode laser.

Cost

For beginners on a budget, Diode lasers are usually the best choice to get started with laser engraving and cutting. Higher quality Diode lasers can range from $700-$1,500 and most quality CO2 lasers on the market start around $2,000.

Ultimately, CO2 lasers are faster and more powerful. They’re ideal for small businesses with larger volumes of laser produced projects. If you’re a hobby crafter and looking for a more budget friendly machine, diode lasers are a perfect place to start. 

Materials - Do’s and Don'ts

Some materials are not safe to use in a laser machine. We will be covering materials that cannot be used in a Diode laser machine. These materials are not safe to use because they can create dangerous gasses and dust and can even damage your machine.

 Don’t use:

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
• Thick Polycarbonate
• ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene aka Legos!) 
• HDPE (high density polyethylene)
• Epoxy Resins
• Phenolic Resins
• Materials containing Halogens 
• Fiberglass
• Coated Carbon Fiber
• Galvanized Metal

Do Engrave:

• Plywood
• Wood
• MDF
• Acrylic* (see note below)
• Leather
• Metals
• Eucalyptus Hardboard Panel

When cutting materials, you will generally find the most success while cutting materials that have a thickness of ⅛” or less. Because diode lasers are slower and not as powerful as CO2 lasers, you will have a harder time cutting through thicker materials. It’s not impossible but it can definitely be a headache with some trial and error!

 Do Cut:

• Plywood
• Wood                                                         
• Acrylic* (see note below)                                                          
• Leather

*Important Acrylic note: Diode lasers are limited in the color range they can cut and engrave. A diode laser will not be able to cut through clear acrylic, transparent acrylic, mirror acrylic or anything in the blue family. Diode lasers can cut and engrave darker opaque colors. You should take your time to consider the type of projects you intend to create with your laser cutting machine. If your heart is set on clear acrylic, a CO2 laser is for you!

You always want to make sure that you read your own machine’s owner manual for the full list of material do’s and don’ts. Our list is intended as a broad guideline for choosing some of the most popular materials. Always do your own research before trying to use a material that may not be listed here. If you cannot find any information on it, reach out directly to the machine manufacturer to find out if it can be used or not.

We recommend using a scrap piece of material for a test cut or engraving before committing the material to the project. Many machines run similar settings but can differ from material to material. Testing out the settings will always set you up for success!

Popular Diode Laser Machines

Let’s talk about two of the more popular Diode Laser Machines we hear about from our customers!

Glowforge Aura - This machine has a 6W 450nm blue diode laser in an enclosed case. The Max material depth the Aura can cut is up to ¼” thick and can engrave materials up to ¾” with the cutting tray removed. You can cut materials up to 12” x 12” and the cutting area is approximately 144 in sq.

xTool D1 Pro - xTool has this machine in a variety of power options. You can choose from 5W, 10W, 20W and 40W. These machines do not come with an enclosure but you can purchase (or make) one for it! The working area for materials is 19.6” x 13”. The materials’ thickness that can be engraved and cut will depend on the model you choose from this line.

MakerStock Material Picks

To help you get started, we offer a Diode Laser Bundle. This bundle includes ⅛” thick Baltic Birch, MDF,  Red, Black, and Green Acrylic. We offer multiple sizes to accommodate more popular laser bed sizes! We also provide custom cuts for most materials!

If you’re in the market for acrylic with your diode laser, our opaque acrylic would be perfect for you! Just remember to avoid shades of blue.

We also have direct links to our Baltic Birch Plywood and MDF. These products are popular among CO2 and Diode laser users!

Don’t see the machine you are looking for here or have additional questions? Feel free to reach out to us at info@makerstock.com and we’ll always be happy to assist you as best we can!