Laser Marking & How Laser Marking Machines Operate

Laser marking is the process of permanently marking a surface using a focused beam of light. It can be carried out using various types of lasers, including fiber lasers, CO2 lasers, pulsed lasers, and continuous lasers. The three most common laser marking applications are:

1. Laser engraving: This creates deep and enduring marks that can withstand abrasion.
2. Laser etching: This generates high-contrast permanent marks at a high speed.
3. Laser annealing: This produces marks beneath the surface without affecting the base metal or its protective coating

Laser marking can be used on a variety of materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, polymers, and rubber. It is frequently employed to identify parts and products with 2D barcodes (data matrix codes or QR codes), alphanumeric serial numbers, VIN numbers, and logos.

How Does Laser Marking Work? To create a lasting mark, laser marking systems generate focused beams of light that contain high levels of energy. When a laser beam strikes a surface, its energy is transferred in the form of heat, creating black, white, and sometimes colored marks.

The Science of Lasers Explained Laser beams are generated through a process known as LASER, an acronym for “Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”

First, a special material is stimulated with energy, causing it to release photons. The newly released photons then stimulate the material again, generating more and more photons. This creates an exponential number of photons (or light energy) within the laser cavity.

This accumulated energy is released as a single, coherent beam of light directed at its target using mirrors. Depending on the energy level, it can etch, engrave, or anneal surfaces with extreme precision.

Different Lasers for Different Materials Laser light energy is measured using wavelengths, or nanometers (nm). Specific wavelengths are used for different applications and can only be generated by certain types of lasers.

Fiber lasers stimulate a rare-earth metal known as ytterbium to generate photons at the 1,064 nm wavelength. This wavelength is ideal for marking metals, as a significant amount of its energy is absorbed by the material.

CO2 lasers stimulate CO2 gas to generate wavelengths between 9,000 nm and 11,000 nm, covering a wide range of organic materials that require different wavelengths. The most common wavelength for organic materials is 10,600 nm.

Laser Marking Benefits Laser marking has become the technology of choice for manufacturers seeking high-quality marking, offering numerous advantages compared to older marking methods like dot peen marking, inkjet printing, and printed labels.

1. Fastest Direct Part Marking Technology: Laser marking is the fastest direct part marking technology, making it a sought-after option when short cycle times must be met. Laserax takes pride in benchmarking the fastest lasers on the market due to the high quality of our hardware and software components.
2. High-Contrast Marks: Laser marking is a precise process that provides consistent results. You get a near-perfect readability rate, ensuring that the number of nonconforming parts is kept to a minimum.
3. Green Technology Without Consumables: Laser marking makes the manufacturing world more sustainable by replacing polluting technologies that rely heavily on consumables. Fiber laser technology is also known for its electrical efficiency, further reducing your environmental footprint.
4. Low Maintenance: Laser marking is a non-contact process, so no mechanical wear occurs between the system and the part being marked. This helps you keep maintenance and downtime to a minimum. Minimal maintenance is needed to remove the accumulated dust from the lens.
5. Complete Solution: Laserax offers solutions that include everything needed to implement laser marking in production lines. We offer manually loaded and automated solutions with 100% laser safety, dust and fume management, barcode validation, and remote support.

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