Laser cutting, welding and marking are the three big metalworking applications. Laser marking machines are the highly accurate marking machines which used in all manufacturing industries for the process of identification marking. Laser marking materials are used in a process called laser bonding. Laser marking instruments use a high intensity laser to permanently and accurately mark shapes or characters onto surfaces such as metals or plastics at high speeds. The marking is done either using punches or laser marking machine. Laser marking can also be employed to ablate a coating or to cause a color change in certain materials. Laser marking enhances the esthetical & monetary value of products by making it more attractive, truly eye catching & easily visible that thus ensures its high market penetration. A laser guide provides a precise visual indication of where the cut will be positioned on the work piece in the current configuration.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Friday, September 24, 2010
Laser Marking and Laser Engraving
Laser Engraving
This is the most common term and simply defined, means that in the process of creating the mark, material is removed or vaporized during the process. An example in our business is CO2 laser engraving plastic for signage. This is often a two-ply plastic with one color called the "cap" laminated to a contrasting color called the "core". The engraving process removes the cap and exposes the core to create a sign that has an attractive look. There is also engraving in the processing of metals. Typically used to guarantee permanence, material is removed to create depth. Usually this is a process reserved for 1,064nm wavelength lasers (YAG for example) as those types of lasers couple well with metals. When engraving metals this way the laser is breaking the machined surface of the object, so oxidation or rusting can occur as a result. This would be a question at the time of feasibility testing. "Do you want depth? If so do you realize that the base material could oxidize? Depending on the answer the next option might be Laser Marking.
Laser Marking
Annealing or precipitation marking is commonly used when processing metal items where the surface of the part must stay intact. Often items like surgical implants, surgical instruments or high precision bearings require this type of marking. With laser marking, the heat of the laser actually redistributes the carbon in the material to create a jet black mark with only micron level surface disruption. If done correctly there will be no oxidation or rusting even under salt spray tests or autoclaving. If you processed the same material with a CO2 laser you would get an engraved marked with no contrast. This is all a matter of wavelength and how it reacts to the material OR the pigment in the material.
This is the most common term and simply defined, means that in the process of creating the mark, material is removed or vaporized during the process. An example in our business is CO2 laser engraving plastic for signage. This is often a two-ply plastic with one color called the "cap" laminated to a contrasting color called the "core". The engraving process removes the cap and exposes the core to create a sign that has an attractive look. There is also engraving in the processing of metals. Typically used to guarantee permanence, material is removed to create depth. Usually this is a process reserved for 1,064nm wavelength lasers (YAG for example) as those types of lasers couple well with metals. When engraving metals this way the laser is breaking the machined surface of the object, so oxidation or rusting can occur as a result. This would be a question at the time of feasibility testing. "Do you want depth? If so do you realize that the base material could oxidize? Depending on the answer the next option might be Laser Marking.
Laser Marking
Annealing or precipitation marking is commonly used when processing metal items where the surface of the part must stay intact. Often items like surgical implants, surgical instruments or high precision bearings require this type of marking. With laser marking, the heat of the laser actually redistributes the carbon in the material to create a jet black mark with only micron level surface disruption. If done correctly there will be no oxidation or rusting even under salt spray tests or autoclaving. If you processed the same material with a CO2 laser you would get an engraved marked with no contrast. This is all a matter of wavelength and how it reacts to the material OR the pigment in the material.
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