Laser Marking Machine

A laser marking machine creates permanent or at least durable marking on your products. Common uses include identifying and tracing materials, parts or machines, or marking expiration dates in the food industry. Laser marking machine should not be confused with industrial printers, which are covered in another buying guide.

What Is Laser Marking Machine?

Laser marking machine is a permanent process that uses a beam of concentrated light to create a lasting mark on a surface. Typically performed with a fiber, pulsed, continuous wave, green, or UV laser machine, laser marking encompasses a wide variety of applications.

Types of Laser Marking Machine

To determine which of our laser marking machine would be the best fit for your company’s production needs, you’ll need to decipher between the four most common types of laser marking machine, which are:

• Annealing laser marking
• Carbon migration laser marking
• Foaming laser marking
• Coloration laser marking

1. Annealing Laser Marking

Some key points:

• Used on carbon-containing metals
• Oxidation process can result in a variety of colors
• A slower, more drawn-out process
• Common in the medical industry

Annealing marking refers to an oxidation process of applying heat to a surface material (without applying a high amount of aggression). This type of laser marking generally results in a solid black mark with a smooth finish, but based on the temperature at the surface of the mark, colors can also vary between shades of yellow, red and green.

This process is typically slower because the annealing relies solely on heat to bring carbon from the metal to the surface and make the markings. Once the metal is heated, you must also allow it to gradually cool.

2. Carbon Migration Laser Marking

Some key points:

• Can be applied to metals and metal alloys
• Carbon migrates to the surface via a heating process
• Produces dark markings
• Heat is applied at a rapid pace

Carbon migration is another type of laser marking in which a metal or metal alloy is heated, causing said metal to chemically bond with its carbon molecules. This bonding brings the carbon properties to the surface of your material. When this occurs, it will often result in a dark laser marking that can even be black.

This type of marking is a faster process than annealing because it provides a high amount of heat to a smaller area within a more rapid time period.

3. Foaming Laser Marking

Some key points:

• Is used on plastics instead of metals
• Produces light markings
• Material is melted, creating foam and gas bubbles
• Results in relatively smooth marking

Foam laser marking is used when a plastic is darker and the desired end result is a lighter color (usually white, gold or various tan shades). This change in color occurs by creating a molten burn on the surface that is both contained and controlled. When the surface is melted, it creates an atmosphere of foaming gas bubbles.

These bubbles change the light refraction properties of the material, making foaming a desirable process when light effects, lettering, symbols and more are requested for a product’s surface.

Foaming is not used on metal; rather, it is used only on plastics, making it a valuable asset within the plastics industry and sectors which regularly utilize plastics in their operations.

4. Coloration Laser Marking

Some key points:

• Is used on plastics instead of metals
• Produces light markings
• Material is melted, creating foam and gas bubbles
• Results in relatively smooth marking

Foam laser marking is used when a plastic is darker and the desired end result is a lighter color (usually white, gold or various tan shades). This change in color occurs by creating a molten burn on the surface that is both contained and controlled. When the surface is melted, it creates an atmosphere of foaming gas bubbles.

These bubbles change the light refraction properties of the material, making foaming a desirable process when light effects, lettering, symbols and more are requested for a product’s surface.

Foaming is not used on metal; rather, it is used only on plastics, making it a valuable asset within the plastics industry and sectors which regularly utilize plastics in their operations.

How Laser Marking Machine Works?

Laser marking machine works by using a focused beam of light to mark the surface of a material. When the beam interacts with the material’s surface, it alters the material’s properties and appearance. This concentrated beam targets only a specified area, allowing the laser marking machine to create precise, high quality, high-contrast marks that are easy to read or scan on virtually any surface. This feature makes laser marking machine ideal for applications where accuracy and permanency are critical to success.

How To Use Laser Marking Machine?

There are several types of laser marking machine, and each operates slightly differently. The correct process to use the machine also depends on the material you’re working with and the application you’re using.

When using any laser marking machine, it’s important to follow all safety guidelines. Thanks to a variety of preventative measures, including safety enclosure options, laser marking is a relatively safe process.

The Benefits Of Using A Laser Marker

Manufacturers can gain many benefits from the laser marking process, whether it is basic part identification and branding or complete traceability to track and trace parts from cradle to grave. Direct part marking with a laser marking machine delivers durable, readable marks. The results of these high quality marks include:

• Greater operational efficiency and productivity with less waste and downtime
• More visibility and accountability throughout the supply chain
• Minimized costly threats such as quality and counterfeiting issues
• Ensured compliance with industry regulations

Features of Laser Marking Machine

Software

There needs to be a fine understanding of software like COREL DRAW so as to design and alter the images as per one’s requirement.

Cooling System

Air dispenser is also one feature which should be watched out, as heat is generated in the process of engraving and cutting, therefore either operate the machine in intervals if your machine is not equipped with air dispenser or look out for this feature before zeroing on the machine.

Generally, small laser engravers do not come equipped with air dispensers, but then they also do not generate that amount of heat, and the normal water pump cooling suffices the requirement.

Buyers Guide

Laser marking machine is a process for labelling different kinds of objects utilizing a laser. The fundamental of laser marking machine is that a laser beam alters the optical appearance of a surface that it hits. Buying a laser marking machine is a crucial decision for businesses and individuals. This advanced piece of technology makes use of high-powered lasers to engrave designs over various surfaces.

Given the numerous types of lasers and materials involved, selecting the best laser for a marking application can be difficult. To make an optimal choice, an individual must be conscious of the characteristics of the laser marking and the properties of the materials included. Given below are some of the factors necessary to consider before opting for a laser marking machine.

Materials

Each laser marking machine is composed to work optimally with a particular type of material. The decision to buy a laser engraving machine should be led by the requirements a corporation has from it. Firstly, ascertain what is needed to fulfil by utilizing the device. Secondly, determine which type of material is necessary to perform the engraving on.

Budget

If contemplating about buying a laser marking machine that cuts through varying types of materials at high precision. A more affordable option may be available but might have downsides like consuming a lot of power and energy. This decision could turn expensive in the long run. All these factors are required to be considered while fixing a budget.

Maintenance

Maintenance is an added significant element to be considered while buying a laser marking machine. It’s imperative to find out how frequently maintenance is required for the device and whether it can be done in-house or necessitates to be done by a contracted professional. If it is complicated to maintain, the business might need to hire a technician to perform the task of maintenance, which can result in additional cost. It’s always best to pick a distributor or manufacturer that can guarantee support for your machine, either to resolve incidents or for training. The device will be working every day, so it’s necessary to choose the one with the highest quality to fulfil your requirements.

Marking Speed

The marking speed is comparative to the power of the optical fiber power source, the more power, the more engraving speed. This statement means that a 10W optical fiber with 4000 mm per second engraving can only achieve that speed using maximum engraving power, providing a poor engraving result. Therefore, if a 30W laser is applied, it can engrave with a depth of 0.3mm at speeds greater than 4000 Millimeters per second with a satisfactory engraving result. If one’s looking to engrave with high speeds in a production line, it is more beneficial to consider buying a fiber optic laser at least 30W onwards.

Work Area

The engraving speed is comparative to the power of the optical fiber power source, the more power, the more engraving speed. This statement means that a 10W optical fiber with 4000 mm per second engraving can only achieve that speed using maximum engraving power, providing a poor engraving result. Therefore, if a 30W laser is applied, it can engrave with a depth of 0.3mm at speeds greater than 4000 Millimeters per second with a satisfactory engraving result. If one’s looking to engrave with high speeds in a production line, it is more beneficial to consider buying a fiber optic laser at least 30W onwards.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of annealing, carbon migration, foaming and coloration laser marking, you should be able to distinguish which of our laser marking machine would be the best fit for your company’s needs. Remember, though, that our line of laser markers is versatile and continually growing. Each of our products can be used on a variety of materials in varying industries.