Laser engraving - operating principle and benefits
In the process of laser engraving, marking is achieved through a combined melt and evaporation ablation process. The laser beam's irradiance is so intense that it causes the material to melt and partially evaporate during processing, forming a depression known as laser engraving. The typical engraving depth ranges from 10 to 50 micrometers. The melted material at the edges is expelled by the vapor pressure of the evaporating substance and solidifies into a melt rim as it cools. The U-shaped engraving narrows as the laser cuts deeper into the material due to incomplete expulsion of the melt. Heat input is significantly constrained, both locally by the small laser spot and temporally by extremely short pulses.
Deep Engraving Industries such as tool construction, mold making, and the creation of vehicle identification numbers often require laser engravings with greater depths, extending into the millimeter range. Achieving the desired depth often involves multiple processing steps carried out in layers.
Black Engraving When laser engraving metals, oxides form due to the interaction of the melted base material with atmospheric oxygen, resulting in various colors. The typically rough surface absorbs a significant amount of light, leading to a black or dark gray appearance (aluminum) or dark brown (steel, brass, copper), depending on the material.
White Engraving White engraving involves structuring the surface so that the material undergoes minimal melting. This creates a smooth, highly reflective surface, appearing as a white marking in materials such as galvanized steel. The coating remains intact and corrosion-resistant due to the shallow penetration depth. High-contrast white engraving is particularly advantageous on dark metals like hardened steel. A combination of black and white engraving is especially suitable for applying data matrix codes, enhancing contrast, code quality, and legibility.
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