Best fiber galvo laser settings for engraving anodized aluminum
Marking anodized aluminum bleaches the dye to expose the white substrate — it is fast and forgiving, which makes it a great first galvo job. These starting points produce a crisp white mark; dial speed up until the contrast just holds.
Recommended starting-point parameters
| Power | 20–40% |
|---|---|
| Speed | 1,000–2,500 mm/s |
| Frequency | 20–60 kHz |
| Line interval / hatch | 0.01–0.03 mm |
| Passes | 1 |
| Pulse duration | Not critical (Q-switch fine; MOPA optional) |
Dialing it in
- ›Push speed up until the white mark just starts to lose contrast, then back off ~10%.
- ›Too much power can burn through the anodize layer into bare aluminum and look gray, not white.
The material-test workflow
The fastest way to a reliable cut is not a perfect chart — it's a tight test loop that you only run once per machine/material combination, then never repeat:
- 1Start from this baseline. Load the starting-point numbers above as the center of your test.
- 2Run a small array. Cut a grid that sweeps speed (and power, if cutting) ±20% around the baseline — typically 9–16 small squares.
- 3Judge the edge. Look for dross, burn-back, kerf width, and squareness. Pick the square that meets your part's requirement, not the prettiest one.
- 4Log it once. Save the winning parameters against this exact machine + material so the next job starts from your proven number — not a generic chart.
Stop re-running the same test square
CutLog gives you a starting point calibrated to your wattage and lens, then remembers every cut you log — so your machine builds its own proven library. Free to start.
Frequently asked questions
How do you engrave anodized aluminum with a fiber laser?▾
Anodized aluminum marks by bleaching the colored dye to reveal the white oxide underneath. Start around 20–40% power, 1,000–2,500 mm/s, single pass, and increase speed until the white mark just holds.
Related settings
Last reviewed 2026-06-28. Values are conservative starting points generalized across brands and published cutting charts; always verify on your own machine.