IPG Photonics YLP Series

$8,000 - $80,000 Updated 2026-03-17

Key Specifications

Laser Technology

Pulsed Ytterbium Fiber Laser

Wavelength

1060 – 1080 nm

Average Power Range

1 W – 500 W (model dependent)

Pulse Width

1 – 200 ns (model dependent)

Pulse Repetition Rate

1 kHz – 1 MHz

Peak Power

Up to 50 kW (low-average-power models)

Overview

The IPG Photonics YLP Series is a family of pulsed ytterbium fiber lasers engineered for precision marking, engraving, micromachining, and material processing applications requiring controlled pulse energy delivery rather than continuous-wave (CW) power. Unlike IPG's YLR continuous-wave series used in high-power sheet metal cutting, the YLP Series generates high-peak-power nanosecond pulses with user-adjustable pulse width, repetition rate, and energy — parameters that allow precise control of material interaction depth, heat-affected zone, and ablation characteristics at the micron scale.

The YLP Series spans a broad power range from single-watt units for fine marking and electronics processing up to several hundred watts for faster engraving and microtexturing applications. Pulse widths are typically in the 1–200 nanosecond range, and repetition rates extend from single-pulse (triggered) operation up to hundreds of kilohertz for high-speed surface texturing. The output is delivered through a standard fiber connector (FC/APC or QBH) for integration into OEM marking heads, galvo scanner systems, and custom optical delivery systems.

Key application areas for the YLP Series include permanent part marking (2D barcodes, serial numbers, logos) on metals, plastics, ceramics, and glass; precision micromachining of electronic components, medical devices, and watch parts; surface texturing for friction, adhesion, or aesthetic control; and thin-film scribing in photovoltaic and flat panel display manufacturing. The high beam quality (M² < 1.3 for most models) enables tight focusing for fine-line features without sacrificing working distance.

IPG Photonics manufactures the YLP Series at its own facilities using vertically integrated production of the laser diodes, active fiber, and optical components — an approach that underpins the reliability and consistency that has made IPG the dominant fiber laser source supplier globally. The YLP Series is designed as an OEM component for integration into turnkey marking and micromachining systems by machine builders, not as a standalone machine tool.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Laser Technology	Pulsed Ytterbium Fiber Laser
Wavelength	1060 – 1080 nm
Average Power Range	1 W – 500 W (model dependent)
Pulse Width	1 – 200 ns (model dependent)
Pulse Repetition Rate	1 kHz – 1 MHz
Peak Power	Up to 50 kW (low-average-power models)
Beam Quality (M²)	< 1.3
Polarization	Linear (>20:1) or random
Output Delivery	FC/APC fiber connector or collimated beam
Operating Temperature	15 – 40°C
Power Stability	< ±1% RMS
Cooling	Conduction / forced air (low power); water-cooled (high power)

Specifications sourced from ipgphotonics.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Nanosecond pulse control enables precise material ablation with minimal heat-affected zone — critical for delicate electronics and medical device micromachining
Extremely high beam quality (M² < 1.3) allows tight diffraction-limited focusing for sub-10-µm feature marking and micromachining
IPG's vertically integrated manufacturing delivers industry-leading reliability and consistency, with MTBF exceeding 100,000 hours on many models
Wide power range (1 W – 500 W) covers everything from jewelry marking to high-speed industrial surface texturing on the same product platform
Standard fiber output connector enables straightforward integration into galvo scanners, marking heads, and custom optical systems

Limitations

Sold as an OEM laser source component, not a turnkey machine — requires additional integration with scanner, motion system, controller, and software
Nanosecond-pulse technology is not suited to applications requiring ultrashort pulses (picosecond/femtosecond) for cold ablation of transparent materials or sensitive substrates
High-peak-power pulse operation at high repetition rates generates heat in the optical delivery path that must be managed in system design

Best For

Industrial part marking system integrators building laser marking stations for automotive, aerospace, and medical part traceability (2D codes, serial numbers) Precision micromachining system builders producing equipment for electronics, semiconductor, watch, and medical device manufacturing Photovoltaic and flat panel display manufacturers requiring thin-film scribing and isolation groove patterning at high throughput Surface engineering equipment manufacturers developing texturing systems for friction control, adhesion improvement, and functional surface patterning on metal parts

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What is the difference between the YLP Series and IPG's YLR continuous-wave series?

The YLR Series delivers continuous-wave (CW) power, typically in the kilowatt range, for high-speed cutting, welding, and cladding of sheet metal and structural parts. The YLP Series delivers nanosecond pulses at much lower average power (watts to hundreds of watts) for marking, engraving, and micromachining where controlled pulse energy — not maximum average power — is the critical parameter. The two series serve fundamentally different application spaces.

02 What materials can the YLP Series mark or micromachine?

The YLP Series at 1064 nm is highly effective on metals (steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, gold, silver), engineering plastics (ABS, PC, PA), ceramics, and glass. On transparent plastics like polycarbonate and acrylic, absorption is lower at 1064 nm but can be enhanced through additives or by using the frequency-doubled 532 nm green variant (YLP-G). Surface texturing and ablation quality depend strongly on pulse width, peak power, and fluence optimization for each material.

03 What repetition rate and pulse width should be used for 2D barcode marking on steel?

For permanent 2D barcode marking on steel (DPM — direct part marking), typical parameters are 20–80 kHz repetition rate, 10–100 ns pulse width, and scan speeds optimized for contrast and readability at the barcode grade required (ISO 15415/29158). Higher repetition rates with shorter pulses produce finer dot geometry; lower repetition rates with higher pulse energy produce deeper, more durable marks. Exact parameters are optimized per material, surface condition, and readability requirement.

04 Can the YLP Series be used for laser cleaning or rust removal?

Yes. Pulsed fiber lasers in the 50–500 W average power range are widely used for laser cleaning of metal surfaces — removing rust, scale, paint, oil, and contamination through selective ablation. The YLP's high peak power pulses ablate the contaminant layer without melting the base metal substrate when parameters are correctly set. This is a growing application area for surface preparation before welding, coating, or bonding.

05 Is the YLP Series available with a green (532 nm) or UV (355 nm) output?

IPG Photonics offers frequency-doubled (532 nm green) and frequency-tripled (355 nm UV) variants of its pulsed fiber laser platform under separate series designations. The 532 nm output improves absorption on copper, gold, and transparent polymers; the 355 nm UV output enables cold ablation of glass, ceramics, and PCB materials. These are related but separate product lines from the standard 1064 nm YLP Series.