Which is a frequent question of our clients, they wonder what is the main difference between these two lasers. Is it only engraved in color on some materials? Why is the MOPA laser more expensive? What materials can you engrave? This and other questions will finally get an answer in this blog about MOPA and the fiber optic laser.

Internally they are different

Even if these two machines look very similar or the same to the naked eye, inside, they work differently. Fiber laser machines use a technology called Q-Switched that allows the power source to generate a frequency between 1 and 500 kHz.

On the other hand, the Master Oscillator Power Amplifier which is known as MOPA works differently with its power source. This allows the machine to have a pulse frequency wider than fiber, from 1 to 2700 kHz. This allows the MOPA laser to have different engraving results on some plastic and metallic materials compared to the engraving results of Q-Switched technology or fiber optic laser.

Adjustable parameters are different

Through comparison, it can be seen that MOPA lasers have a lot of adjustment space compared to fiber lasers (Q-switch) in terms of pulse width, pulse frequency and control waveforms. This makes it possible to make adjustments for different materials through a combination of various parameters. Various effects as required.

What materials can these machines engrave?

MOPA laser

This machine can engrave on:

Gold, aluminum, stainless steel (with multiple colors), platinum, silver, titanium, brass, tungsten, carbide, nickel, carbon steel, chromium, copper, iron and other metals, ABS plastic (low burn rate), plastic for PC (low burn rate), PLA plastic, Silicon plastic, PBT plastic and others

Fiber laser or Q-Switched

This machine can engrave on:

Gold, aluminum, stainless steel (only white and dark colors), platinum, silver, titanium, brass, tungsten, carbide, nickel, carbon steel, chrome, copper, iron and other metals, ABS plastic (high burning speed), PC plastic (high burning speed), PLA plastic, silicon plastic, PBT plastic and others. This machine can engrave different plastics, but in some of them you will feel the engraving with the touch of our fingers.

Conclusions

However, both machines can do similar jobs if you are looking for a better finish on plastic materials. And if you have the possibility to engrave different colors on stainless steel or titanium, you can think about the solution that the MOPA laser can offer. On the other hand, if you are just looking to burn metals at high speed. And you do not need to engrave colors on metals, you can choose a fiber optic laser. These machines may look the same, but they are different not only in the effect of work and technology, they are also very different in price, MOPA laser technology also tends to be much more expensive than normal or Q- fiber optic lasers. Switched for more information contact us.