Laser marking is a technology used to label or mark a wide range of materials using a laser beam. There are several types of laser marking techniques, including foaming, annealing, staining, removing and engraving. The preferred technique applied to the material relates to the quality of finish required and material. Some of the most popular materials to use include plastics (polycarbonate and ABS), laminates, foils, and metals (copper, platinum, titanium, bronze, gold, silver and stainless steel).
Here are four of the major types of laser marking machine options:
Engraving
The laser engraving machine is designed to heat the top surface of the material which is slowly melted and evaporates. This is a quick and efficient method to remove material using a laser beam. Once the material is removed it leaves behind a clear impression of a preferred logo, text, design, or other mark.
Removing
In the process of using laser removing the uppermost layer is removed by the laser beam to create a contrast in the color throughout the different layers of the material. The preferred materials used with this technique include laminates, coated metals, films, foils, and anodized aluminum.
Staining
When using the laser staining technique the heat produced by the laser beam helps to create a specific type of chemical reaction. A benefit of this is the ability to create different color shades through the material. The type of color shading varies with the chemical composition of the plastic or other material. For instance, with a light-colored plastic material the laser will create soot-like particles which leave a dark-colored mark on the surface.
Annealing marking
This is a special technique used in the process of etching a wide plywood sheets range of metals. By using a laser beam on the metal surface, it is possible to create an oxidation process which leads to a change in color for the different layers of the metal material.
Benefits of using laser marking techniques
There are a variety of benefits that come from using laser marking. One of the main benefits is the ability to achieve high precision when working with tiny geometries, 1-point fonts, and delicate graphics. This is a permanent process and won’t fade when the material comes into contact with acids, heat, or abrasion. A further benefit is the fast and efficient nature of this process. This means a high-quality laser machine has the potential to increase productivity and lower production costs.