Nano Pro Stainless Steel Color Engraving Guide

Nano Pro can be used for color engraving tests on stainless steel materials. By adjusting parameters such as power, speed, interval, and number of passes, different color effects can be achieved on stainless steel surfaces.

This article introduces the principles of stainless steel color laser engraving using Nano Pro, parameter testing methods, layered engraving workflow, and important precautions. By adjusting power, speed, interval, and passes, different color effects can be achieved on stainless steel surfaces.

1. Principle of Laser Color Engraving

The technical principle of color laser engraving varies depending on the material, but it mainly relies on two core methods: one is generating color naturally through oxidation reactions; the other is achieving the desired color effect through coloring agents.

For stainless steel color engraving, the technology is mainly divided into two categories. The first is that the laser beam instantly heats the metal surface, triggering physical or chemical reactions with the surrounding environment, thereby changing the surface color. The second is that the laser forms colored oxides on the metal surface or generates a transparent oxide film, producing various colors through thin-film interference effects.

By precisely adjusting key parameters such as laser power, engraving speed, interval, and passes, the reaction depth on the metal surface can be effectively controlled, achieving various color effects to meet different process requirements.

2. Stainless Steel Color Engraving Parameters

2.1 How to Test Different Color Parameters on Stainless Steel Using Nano Pro

The color engraving parameters in this example are based on the LONGER Nano Pro model, using stainless steel as the material.

With the "Material Test" function in LightBurn, the preparation of engraving parameter test files is greatly simplified. Users only need to enter the relevant parameter ranges in the "Material Test Generator" to automatically generate the test file. Key parameters include Power, Speed, Interval, and Passes. The combination of these parameters directly affects the final engraved color. By setting appropriate parameter ranges according to the material size, the corresponding test file can be generated.

The operation process is shown in the figure: first, start LightBurn, import the configuration file, select the correct serial port, and load the Nano Pro machine configuration. When the console displays "Nano Pro connected successfully," click "Laser Tools" in the toolbar to continue.

In the second step, after clicking "Laser Tools," select "Material Test." A matrix parameter setting interface will appear. Set the required matrix parameters in this interface. For Nano Pro, the recommended parameter range is Power 50%–100%, Speed 1000mm/min–3000mm/min, with an 11×11 matrix layout. After confirming the settings, click "Start" to begin the engraving test.

After completing the test, a color matrix will be generated. Users can select the desired color and find the corresponding power and speed parameters. The horizontal axis represents power, and the vertical axis represents speed. By matching the coordinates, the required settings can be determined.

2.2 How to Engrave a Color Artwork

Open LightBurn, click File → Import to load the layered image file, then connect to the Nano Pro machine.

After importing the image, perform layer processing on the vector graphic:

1) Select the vector section to be engraved.

2) Click the lower right corner and assign it to Layer 1.

3) As shown in the figure below, we set the butterfly section as a layer.

4) Then assign it to Layer 2.

5) Select the inner part of the butterfly.

6) Assign it to Layer 3.

After completing the layer separation, assign the corresponding color parameters to each layer. Once finished, start engraving to obtain the desired color result.

The final result is a blue butterfly.

3. Notes for Nano Pro Stainless Steel Color Engraving

3.1 Minimum Power

Important: When engraving stainless steel with Nano Pro, the power must remain above 50%. Power below 50% will result in very light coloration, mainly producing a single yellow tone. Engraving results are closely related to laser power, so precise adjustment is essential for achieving the desired color.

3.2 Minimum Stainless Steel Thickness and Surface Finish

During engraving, stainless steel plates that are too thin may deform due to heat accumulation. It is recommended to use stainless steel plates with a thickness of no less than 2 cm. Matte or brushed stainless steel surfaces are recommended for better engraving results. Industrial-grade or mirror-finish stainless steel is not recommended.

Common stainless steel surface finishes are shown below.

3.3 Ensure Level Positioning During Engraving

When using the recommended engraving parameters, ensure accurate laser focus and keep the Nano Pro machine level. Incorrect focus height will directly affect color uniformity and accuracy. Therefore, always calibrate the focus height before each operation.

Conclusion

By following the above methods, color engraving can be achieved on stainless steel using Nano Pro. Proper parameter testing, correct layer setup, and attention to power and material requirements are the key factors for obtaining stable color results.