Fiber lasers at 1064 nm interact with CFRP through photothermal heating. The carbon fibers absorb most of the energy, get hot, and the surrounding epoxy resin burns from the conducted heat. The result is a charred kerf with a heat-affected zone of 200 micrometers or more, plus delamination risk.

UV at 355 nm has photon energy higher than the carbon-carbon bond energy in both the fibers and the resin. It breaks bonds directly through a photochemical process instead of heating them. Published research has measured heat-affected zones as narrow as 25 micrometers on 2 mm CFRP cut with a 15W UV laser. The cuts come out clean enough that prototype parts often need no post-processing.

Minimum character height is 0.15 mm. Minimum line width is 0.01 mm, which is 10 micrometers. Focused spot size is approximately 20 micrometers, around 3 times smaller than a fiber laser and 30 times smaller than a CO2 laser.

At those sizes, the marks are not readable without magnification. A 5x or 10x jeweler's loupe will show them clearly. Industrial barcode and 2D code readers can scan data matrix codes down to roughly 1.5 mm square at this resolution. This is the level of precision medical device, aerospace, and electronics customers require for component traceability.

The 15W UV marks and surface engraves metals, including reflective metals like gold, silver, copper, and high-polish stainless steel where fiber lasers struggle. It is the right tool for jewelry hallmarking, watch case marking, precious metal branding, and any metal where the surface has to stay cosmetically perfect outside the mark.

For deep engraving on bulk steel, aluminum, brass, or hardened tool steel where you need to remove material at speed, fiber lasers are still faster. The rule of thumb is: UV for surface marking on metals (especially reflective and coated), fiber for deep engraving on bare steel and aluminum.

On the same job, the 15W is roughly 1.5 to 3 times faster than the 10W. On production glass marking, that compounds into hours saved per shift. The 15W also crosses energy thresholds the 10W cannot: clean carbon fiber cutting, thin glass cutting up to about 1 mm, deeper subsurface 3D crystal work, and faster marking on reflective metals.

The 10W is enough for general production marking on standard materials. The 15W is the right choice if any of three things apply: carbon fiber is part of your workflow, you run heavy production volumes, or you need the deepest possible 3D subsurface engraving in crystal awards.

The JPT SEAL-355-15S is rated for approximately 20,000 hours of on-time. At normal shop usage of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, that works out to roughly 9 to 10 years before noticeable degradation. The S series uses intracavity self-purification and a fully sealed structure that prevents dust and moisture from entering the optical chamber, which is the main reason it lasts so much longer than older UV designs.

The 18-month warranty covers manufacturing defects on the source and the rest of the machine. After that, lifetime email support is included.

The Feeltek 3D head replaces the standard 2D galvo head with a three-axis scanning system. It enables true 3D surface engraving (following the contours of irregular curved parts) and deeper subsurface 3D crystal work. It also extends the working depth of focus, which is useful when marking parts of varying heights without re-focusing.

For flat marking on glass, plastic, PCBs, and metal coupons, the standard 2D head is enough. For complex 3D awards, deep crystal bubblegram engraving, or marking irregular curved parts in production, the Feeltek upgrade is worth considering.

Yes. CFRP cutting releases fine carbon particles and thermally decomposed epoxy fumes that need active extraction. A fume extractor with HEPA filtration and an activated carbon filter is required, not optional. The carbon particles are conductive and can cause electrical shorts if they accumulate inside enclosures or near electronics.

For glass, plastic, and metal marking the fume load is much lower, but a fume extractor is still recommended for any plastic work. The 355 nm UV beam itself requires OD5+ eye protection (included with the machine) and a closed enclosure during operation.

Never cut PVC. It releases chlorine gas that corrodes galvo optics and is toxic to operators. This rule applies to every laser type. Avoid materials containing halogens or heavy metals without proper extraction.

For efficiency reasons, do not use the 15W UV for jobs better suited to other lasers: bare metal deep engraving (use fiber), thick wood or leather cutting (use CO2), thick acrylic cutting (use CO2), production sheet metal cutting (use CNC fiber cutter), or thick glass drilling (use JPT M8 fiber).