Noua 60W MOPA Fiber Laser
Noua 60W MOPA Fiber Laser
⚠️ NEVER LEAVE THE LASER UNATTENDED WHILE RUNNING ⚠️
⚠️ LASER SAFETY GLASSES REQUIRED — OD4+ rated for 1064nm ⚠️
⚠️ USE PORTABLE FUME EXTRACTOR NEAR MACHINE AT ALL TIMES ⚠️
The Noua 50W MOPA Fiber Laser is GRM's metal marking and engraving machine. Unlike CO2 lasers, the fiber laser is designed specifically for metals and hard surfaces — it excels at permanent marking, color marking on stainless steel and titanium, deep engraving, and surface treatment. It does not cut.
Software
LightBurn Pro (Required)
The fiber laser uses an EZCad2-based Galvo controller — this requires LightBurn Pro. The standard LightBurn Core license will not work with this machine.
GRM Members: 75% off LightBurn Pro (~$50 instead of $199). Ask a staff member or volunteer for the discount code, or email chris@grandrivermakerspace.org.
See the Software & Design section of the main laser page for full details and tutorial videos.
Other Design Software
You can design in any of the following and import into LightBurn:
| Software | Cost | Export Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkscape | Free | SVG | Native SVG works great with LightBurn |
| Affinity Designer | Free | SVG, PDF, EPS | Professional-grade vector tool |
| Adobe Illustrator | Paid | SVG, EPS, DXF, DWG, AI | Industry standard |
| Any 2D/3D CAD program | Varies | DXF, DWG | Export as DXF or DWG for best results |
File Formats
The fiber laser works with 2D flat files only — no 3D formats.
Vector Files (preferred)
- SVG, DXF, DWG, EPS, AI
- Can be scaled to any size without losing quality
- Allows you to assign different laser operations to different layers
Raster Files (for photo engraving on metal)
- JPEG, PNG, and other pixel-based images
- Used with LightBurn's dithering/raster engraving mode
- Works well for high-contrast photos engraved onto metal surfaces
To convert a raster image to vector: use the trace function in Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or Affinity Designer.
Understanding MOPA Technology
This machine uses a MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) fiber laser source — a significant step up from standard fiber lasers. The key advantage is independent control of pulse width and pulse frequency, which unlocks capabilities a standard fiber laser cannot achieve:
- Color marking on stainless steel — by varying pulse width and frequency, you can produce a range of colors (black, grey, gold, blue, green, red) without any coatings or chemicals
- Anodized aluminum marking — removes the anodize layer cleanly to reveal the bare metal beneath
- Brass and copper marking — MOPA handles these reflective metals better than standard fiber lasers
- Sensitive materials — shorter pulse widths reduce heat affected zones, protecting delicate surfaces
Think of pulse width like shutter speed on a camera — shorter pulses deliver energy faster with less heat spread into the surrounding material.
Startup Procedure
- Power on the machine (switch on back of machine)
- Press the Laser button on the front of the machine — it will light up when active. If this button is not pressed, the laser will not fire.
- Turn on the portable fume extractor — position it near the work area
⚠️ The portable fume extractor must be running before you start any job. A permanent exhaust system is not yet installed — the portable unit is your only fume protection on this machine.
Focusing the Laser
The fiber laser uses a galvo scanning system — the beam is steered by mirrors rather than a moving gantry. Focusing works differently than the CO2 laser:
- The work surface must be positioned at the correct focal distance from the lens
- Use the Z-axis adjustment (motorized up/down) to raise or lower the work platform to the correct height
- Each lens has a specific focal distance — confirm you are focused for the installed lens before running a job
Available Lenses
| Lens | Work Area | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 254mm lens | 160mm x 160mm (6.3" x 6.3") | General marking and engraving; most everyday work | Default lens; installed on the machine |
| 420mm lens | 400mm x 400mm (15.7" x 15.7") | Large area marking; signage; batch processing of many small parts | Ask staff — not installed by default; requires refocusing |
⚠️ Each lens has a different focal distance. If you switch lenses, you must re-zero the Z height for the new lens before running a job or results will be out of focus.
Lens Size and Power Distribution
Switching to a larger lens doesn't just change your work area — it changes how the laser energy is delivered:
- The 420mm lens spreads the same laser power over a much larger area than the 254mm lens
- This means lower power density at the surface — the beam is less intense per square millimeter
- As a result, jobs that work well on the 254mm lens will likely need adjustment on the 420mm lens:
- Higher power settings
- Slower speeds
- More passes to achieve the same depth or darkness
- Different frequency and pulse width combinations
Think of it like a garden hose — same amount of water, but spread over a larger area means less pressure at any given point.
Practical guidance when switching to the 420mm lens:
- Do not assume your 254mm settings will transfer directly — they won't
- Always run a fresh test card after switching lenses
- Expect to increase power and/or decrease speed to compensate
- For deep engraving, additional passes are often more effective than simply cranking power
The 420mm lens trades intensity for coverage. It's the right tool when you need a large work area, but the 254mm lens will always be more efficient and powerful for work that fits within its 6.3" x 6.3" field.
LightBurn Settings for Fiber
Layer Types
- Fill — for engraving/marking filled areas
- Line — for outline marking or cutting thin lines
- Offset Fill — useful for deep engraving passes
Key Parameters — Fiber is Different from CO2
The fiber laser has more parameters than the CO2 laser. The most important ones:
| Parameter | What It Does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power (%) | Controls laser output power | Start conservatively — fiber is unforgiving on thin materials |
| Speed (mm/s) | How fast the galvo mirrors scan | Higher speed = lighter mark; lower speed = deeper/darker |
| Frequency (kHz) | Pulse repetition rate — 1 to 4000 kHz | Lower frequency = more peak power per pulse; higher = smoother finish |
| Pulse Width (ns) | Duration of each pulse — 2 to 500 ns | Shorter = less heat, better for color marking; longer = deeper engraving |
| Line Interval | Spacing between scan lines | 0.1mm is a good all-around starting point |
| Pass Count | Number of times to repeat the operation | Useful for deep engraving; run multiple passes rather than cranking power |
⚠️ Pulse width and frequency interact with each other. Changing one affects the other's effective output. Always run a test card when trying a new material or color result.
Color Marking on Stainless Steel — Starting Points
Color marking requires precise parameter combinations. These are starting points only — results vary by steel grade and surface finish:
| Color Target | Speed | Power | Frequency | Pulse Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 200–400 mm/s | 30–50% | 20–30 kHz | 100–200 ns |
| Grey/Silver | 500–800 mm/s | 20–35% | 40–60 kHz | 50–100 ns |
| Gold/Yellow | 600–900 mm/s | 25–40% | 60–80 kHz | 30–60 ns |
| Blue | 400–600 mm/s | 30–45% | 30–50 kHz | 60–100 ns |
These are approximate ranges. Surface finish, steel alloy, and lens condition all affect results. Always test on scrap first.
Line Interval
| Interval | Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 0.2–0.45mm | Faster, less detail | Large text, batch marking |
| 0.1mm | Balanced | Good all-around starting point |
| 0.05–0.06mm | Slower, more detail | Fine detail, photo engraving |
Min/Max Power
When double-clicking a layer to access advanced settings:
- Max power — your main power setting
- Min power — set 3–5% below max; helps reduce heat buildup on corners and curves
Coordinate Systems & Origin
LightBurn offers three coordinate modes — choose one before framing or running your job:
| Mode | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute Coordinates | Uses machine home as 0,0 | Repeatability with fixed jigs |
| User Origin | You set origin on the controller; select matching dot in LightBurn's 3×3 grid | Aligning to a specific corner or edge |
| Current Position | Job starts wherever the head currently sits | Quick one-off jobs |
Centering tip: Find the center of your material, mark it lightly, move the head there, and select the center dot in LightBurn's 3×3 origin grid.
Framing & Preview — Always Do This First
Before running any job:
- Frame (square icon) — Traces a bounding box around your design. Confirms the job will land where you expect.
- Contour Frame / Rubber Band (circle icon) — Traces the outer edges of your actual design shape.
- Preview (monitor icon) — Shows an estimated run time and a simulation of the job.
Importing the GRM LightBurn Bundle
GRM maintains an approved LightBurn bundle for the fiber laser that includes the correct device profile and community-tested material libraries. Import this bundle the first time you use LightBurn with this machine — it ensures your device is configured correctly and gives you a starting point for common materials.
What's Included
| Type | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Device Profile | JCZFiberPat (254mm) | Correct controller configuration for this machine with the 254mm lens |
| Material Library | 30w-fiber_LA-hobby-guy | Community-tested settings for a wide range of metals — good general starting point |
| Material Library | fiber200mm | Additional settings library; use as a secondary reference |
How to Import
- Download the bundle file: 📥 50 Watt Noua Fiber Laser [MOPA 254mm Lens — LightBurn Bundle]
- In LightBurn, go to File → Import LightBurn Bundle
- Select the downloaded file: 50 Watt Noua Fiber Laser [MOPA] 254mm Lens - Lightburn Bundle to Import.lbzip
- Check the items you want to import — at minimum select the JCZFiberPat (254mm) device and the 30w-fiber_LA-hobby-guy material library
- Click Import
- Confirm the device appears in your Devices list and the material library appears in the Library panel
⚠️ The material library settings are community-sourced starting points — not guaranteed results. Always run a test card on scrap before committing to your final workpiece. Results vary by material grade, surface finish, and lens condition.
Material Test Cards
Always run a test card on scrap before committing to your final workpiece — especially important on the fiber laser where small parameter changes produce very different results.
In LightBurn, generate a material test grid varying power, speed, frequency, and/or pulse width. Run it on a scrap piece of the same material and grade, then identify the combination that produced your desired result.
For color marking: Use a dedicated color test grid that varies frequency and speed independently — this is the most reliable way to dial in a specific color on stainless steel.
Materials Reference
✅ Approved Materials
Note: The fiber laser marks and engraves — it does not cut. All operations are surface or depth marking only.
| Material | Mark/Engrave | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Excellent results; color marking possible with MOPA |
| Titanium | Yes | Vivid color marking; highly responsive to MOPA parameters |
| Brass | Yes | Marking and engraving; MOPA handles reflectivity well |
| Copper | Yes | Marking; higher power needed due to high reflectivity |
| Aluminum (bare) | Yes | Marking and engraving |
| Anodized Aluminum | Yes | Removes anodize layer cleanly to expose bare metal |
| Gold / Silver | Yes | Jewelry marking; test on scrap first |
| Ceramics | Yes | Surface marking |
| Stone / Slate | Yes | Surface marking |
| Coated / Painted Metals | Yes | Removes coating to expose metal beneath |
❌ Do Not Use These Materials
| Material | Why |
|---|---|
| Wood, acrylic, fabric, paper, leather | The fiber laser wavelength (1064nm) is not absorbed by organic materials — it will not mark them and may cause fire or damage |
| Polycarbonate / Lexan | Produces toxic fumes; catches fire easily |
| PVC / Vinyl | Releases chlorine gas — extremely dangerous |
| Any material of unknown composition | Always verify material before use |
⚠️ The fiber laser is for metals and hard surfaces only. If you want to engrave wood, acrylic, or other non-metals, use the CO2 laser instead.
Safety Rules
- Always wear OD4+ laser safety glasses rated for 1064nm while the machine is operating. Standard CO2 laser glasses do not protect against the fiber laser wavelength.
- Use the temporary walls/standups around your work area to protect other members and visitors in the space from stray beam exposure. Do not operate the fiber laser without these barriers in place.
- You can safely view your work through your phone camera — do not look directly at the work area without glasses.
- Always stay by the machine while it's running. Never leave a running job unattended.
- Run the portable fume extractor for every job — position it close to the work area.
- If you need to step away: pause the job before leaving.
See Emergency Procedures on the main laser page for emergency contact and equipment locations.
Helpful Features
Batch Processing Tips
The fiber laser's galvo system is extremely fast — well suited for batch marking:
- Set up a grid of items on the work surface and use LightBurn's array/repeat tools to mark them in a single job
- Use Tool Layers (T1/T2) for alignment reference geometry — the laser won't fire on tool layers
- Work in rows so if something fails partway through, you don't lose the whole batch
Saving Your Settings
Keep a record of your successful parameter combinations — fiber laser settings are highly material-specific:
- Save your LightBurn project files with descriptive names including material and result (e.g., 304-stainless-black-mark-2025)
- Store files in Google Drive or on a flash drive
- Note the steel grade or material spec alongside your settings — the same settings on a different grade may produce different results
Rotary Engraving
The fiber laser supports rotary engraving for cylindrical objects (rings, tumblers, pens, etc.) using a rotary attachment. This is an advanced setup — ask a staff member or volunteer for assistance.
See Accessories on the main laser page for rotary attachment details.
Design Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Cuttle | Parametric laser design templates; outputs SVG for direct import into LightBurn | cuttle.xyz |
| Etsy | Many free/paid laser-ready SVG and DXF files | etsy.com |
| Maker World | Free laser-ready files from the maker community | makerworld.com |
| Thingiverse | Free community files including laser designs | thingiverse.com |
| GRM Discord / Volunteers | Ask for help with settings, file prep, or troubleshooting | Ask at the space or in Discord |
Troubleshooting & Staff Notes
- LightBurn Pro required: This machine will not work with LightBurn Core. Members must have the Pro license or use the dedicated machine computer.
- Laser button: If the machine powers on but the laser does not fire, check that the Laser button on the front of the machine is pressed and lit up.
- Lens condition: The fiber lens and galvo mirrors need periodic cleaning. If marks are inconsistent or power seems low, the optics may need attention — flag for a knowledgeable volunteer.
- Color marking inconsistency: Results vary by steel grade, surface finish, and lens cleanliness. If colors are not reproducing as expected, clean the lens and re-run a test card before adjusting parameters.
- Fume extractor: Must be running for every job. No permanent exhaust is installed on this machine.
- Questions or issues: Leave a note on the whiteboard by the machine, or flag the on-duty volunteer.
