In easy words, laser marking is typically a technique used to generate marks on any surface by employing an intense light ray, specifically a green or UV laser device, constant wave, fibre, or pulse. The technology can mark a wide range of ceramic, glass, titanium, paper, steel, wood, and other organic materials. This marking would be in text forms such as part or serial numbers or digital data that a machine can read, such as barcodes and ID and 2D Matrix codes such as the one present on the sunglasses with camera. These marks can be in the form of graphics. This technique gives a permanent impression; it wouldn’t die with time.
The laser beam utilized in laser marking technology is the light amplified by an accelerated discharge of radiations. The electrons of charged material emit this light. The amplification then results in an intensive wave of light called the LASER beam, directed towards the respective surface and alters its properties. Very accurate and high-quality marks are generated that can be easily read and scanned because the beam targets only the particularized section done by mirrors.
Various laser beams are employed with different power, which depends on the released energy measured in wavelengths. Intensity and wavelength have direct relation. A CO2 LASERS has low power, which is utilized to mark glass, plastic, and other heat-sensitive materials—on the other hand, marking more rigid materials by employing fiber lasers. There is one more type that is called Solid State Lasers. Different objects react uniquely to the beam depending upon their atomic attributes. As metals are complex, so fiber lasers are the most suitable choice as compared to CO2 lasers. Technically, marking depends on the amount of energy material absorbs. At the same time, the selected laser depends on the nature of the surface of the processed material.
The selected laser beam depends on the marking process. Given below are the three laser marking methods along with their utilization.
- Annealing is done to preserve material from corrosion. One of the best examples is stainless steel.
- Etching to mark efficiently
- Engraving is a process of engraving codes having extraordinary stability to abrasion.
Power and time requirement for each one of them is variable. Maybe for one of the methods, the laser beam should be directed on the material for a longer time, and the other, the material ought to be subjected to an intense and more powerful beam. Annealing and engraving are the best examples. The former requires more extended time, and the latter needs a power beam which means that to make material corrosion resistant surface, it is exposed to a lower power laser beam for a longer time. In comparison, a very powerful laser beam is required for a short time to remove a thin layer and engrave such codes that are extraordinarily abrasion resistant.
Before selecting a laser marking technique, it’s essential to know the requirement of the process. Each marking system has its pros and cons; it can only use it for a type of markings and not for the other. Yet, there isn’t any all-rounder technique that could work best in all situations.
In the manufacturing industry, there are several benefits of laser marking technology. When marking a material direct, it increases its durability by engraving readable marks on its targeted parts as they can be identified and branded. Along with this, tracking and tracing out features with these high-quality marks is the primary benefit of LASER marking technology. Other than this, the whole supply chain is more accountable and visible. This method has an exceptional cost efficiency as there are minimal chances of quality degradation. In addition, along with industry regulation, this method bestows the manufactures with ensured compliance. Efficiency and productivity can attain through LASER marking technology in a short period.
In a nutshell, Laser Marking Technology is an advanced marking technique to attain new standards. It is worth investing capital in it, as it’s more beneficial in contrast to its alternatives.
