I added a new laser to my workshop this week, and thought I’d share so others looking to add a fiber laser to their shop have a resource if they have questions. This 50W galvo fiber laser is sold by Aeon, but is called an EMP ST50J. Connection is done through Lightburn software, same as my Mira 9. This should also work with my PiBurn rotary, but haven’t tried it yet. I plan on testing and learning how to use it this weekend.
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Nice addition. It looks to me like you are ready for some new cup orders. Hope you love the new machine.
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I would be interested in its capacities. 
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I know almost nothing about fiber lasers, what attracted you to it?
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Being able to engrave metal, faster at many things, and a 50% off sale Aeon had earlier this year. Took 7 months to get it. I’d like to engrave rings on the rotary at some point. It’s just another tool in the shop to expand my capabilities. Not exactly sure how it will impact my designs, but I’d like to engrave metal polyhedrals for an outside art installation.
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I’d like to engrave metal polyhedrals for an outside art installation.
I’d love to see what you do there. I am drawn to geometric shapes and really admire your work, especially the polyhedrals.
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I see. I was under the impression it took much higher power, like 1500 watts to do metal. I look forward to the results of your experiments!
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super high powered CO2 can do some metal, IIRC, but fiber is a different type of beast and needs less power.
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I have a 50wJPT fiber laser. It functions much like Glowforge except on metals. Technically you can cut metals, however they tend to be on the thinner side and take many, many passes. Likewise you can do some amazing engraving but it will take a lots of passes.
The material size is a lot smaller than Glowforge. This depends on the lenses you have installed. A larger work area will reduce engraving power. Tons of details available on internet.
Steep learning curve, however Lightburn has made them an easier to use. Lots of YouTube channels avails for learning.
My use cases are as follows:
- Rapid Metal part marking
- classic car emblem creation
- thin metal cutting
- metal tumbler engraving (very fast)
Love all my lasers. Would not trade them for anything.
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I am anxious to see your review and comments. Oh, and I’m jealous.
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Thanks for that information!
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So I’ve done a bunch of slate coasters and now some powder coated flasks. Pretty quick. Coasters around 1 minute each, and flask was about 45 seconds. Actually, engraving the metal would take longer, but I was just removing the paint. Repeatable jobs are super easy using the bed guides as a jig. Just press the foot pedal and repeat last job.
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What’s the longterm plan on ventilation? Those fumes from the flask don’t look super healthy.
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I’ll add an inline fan for suction eventually. Right now I just open the garage door and don’t stand too close while it’s engraving.
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For a minute I thought the work surface might be a downdraft tray, expected the fumes to get sucked right away.
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Cool! Really fast. Judging from the beam contact time I wonder if there isn’t less heating of the material?
What kind of service life do you expect from it?
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Not sure, but think galvo fiber lasers are spec’d to last 100,000 hours. It won’t get heavy use in my shop.
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Now I’m more jealous.
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