Everything You Need to Know About Laser Marking

How do Laser Marking Machines Work?

Laser marking is a marking technology that uses a high-energy-density laser to irradiate a specific part of the workpiece to vaporize or change the color of the material surface, thereby leaving a permanent mark. The focused laser beam is like a very sharp cutter, which can remove the material on the objects' surface point by point. Laser marking can print various characters, symbols, barcodes, and patterns as per your needs. The size of the marked/engraved characters can range from millimeters to micrometers, which has special significance for the anti-counterfeiting of products.

What Benefits Does the Laser Marking/Engraving Have?

Compared with grinding tool engraving, the benefit of laser marking is that the marking process is non-contact, which does not produce mechanical extrusion or mechanical stress, so it will not damage the marked items. Due to the small size of the laser after focusing, the slight heat affected area, and the fine processing, some processes that conventional methods cannot achieve can be completed by a fiber laser marking machine.

The "tool" used in laser processing is the focused light spot, and no additional equipment and materials are required. As long as the laser works, it can be continuously processed for a long time. In addition, it has the advantages of fast processing speed, low cost, automatic control by computer, and no human intervention during production.

Laser Marking Applications

Laser marking machines are primarily used on some applications that require more delicate and higher precision; such as electronic components, integrated circuits (IC), electrical appliances, mobile communications, hardware products, tool accessories, precision instruments, glasses, clocks, jewelry, auto parts, plastic buttons, building materials, and PVC pipes.

How Many Types of Laser Marking Machine Are There?

The laser marking machine is mainly divided into CO2 and fiber laser marking machines. 

What is a Fiber Laser Marking Machine?

A fiber laser marking machine refers to a marking/engraving device that uses a fiber laser. As the most advanced laser marking equipment in the world today, it has the characteristics of good beam quality, small machine size, fast working speed, long working life, flexible and convenient installation, and maintenance-free.

Typical fiber laser marking machines are as follows

• 20W fiber laser marking machine

• Benchtop enclosed fiber laser marking machine

• Portable fiber laser marking machine

• Tabletop fiber laser marking machine with enclosure

• Laser marking machine handheld

• Mini fiber laser marking machine

Fiber Laser Marking Machine is broadly used for graphics, barcode, and text marking in fields of integrated circuit chips, computer accessories (i.e., Keyboard), industrial bearings, clocks, trophy, signage, electronics, phone & mobile, aerospace devices, auto parts, home appliances, hardware tools, molds, wires & cables, food packaging, jewelry, tobacco, and military affairs.

What is a CO2 Laser Marking/Engraving Machine?

A CO2 laser marking machine is a laser galvanometer marking machine that uses CO2 gas as the working medium. The CO2 laser generator uses CO2 gas as a medium and charges CO2 and other auxiliary gases into the discharge tube. After the high voltage is applied to the electrode, a glow discharge is generated there, so that the gas releases a laser beam with a wavelength of 10.64um. After the laser energy is enlarged, it is then scanned by the galvanometer and focused by the F-Theta mirror, and then controlled by the computer and CNC marking system. Under the working of the control system, images, characters, numbers, and lines can be marked on the workpiece according to the user's requirements.

Using carbon dioxide laser, it is a general-purpose model with the features of rear focusing method, small size, and a high degree of integration. The CO2 laser marker is suitable for marking most non-metallic materials, such as paper packaging, plastic products, label paper, leather fabrics, glass ceramics, resin plastics, bamboo and wood products, PCB boards, etc.

EagleTec CNC has full lines of fiber laser marking machines for sale, if need our professional help, please contact us freely.

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