Laser Etching & Engraving Applications and Machines

Both laser etching and engraving fall under the general category of laser marking. Laser etching and engraving are similar in that they produce permanent marks created when a laser removes material from the surface of an object. 

These versatile part marking methods can be used on almost any material, making them an ideal solution for a variety of industries that require permanent marks for part identification and traceability. There is also a range of industrial applications where manufacturers can use laser etching and engraving to mark the following:

• Text
• Logos
• Date or time stamps
• Serial numbers
• Barcodes
• 2D Data Matrix codes
• Other important manufacturing information

What is the Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving?
How Do Laser Etching and Engraving Work?
What Types of Laser Engraver Technology Will Make These Marks?

 

What is the Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving?

The terms laser etching and laser engraving are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions between them.

The key difference between these techniques is the depth of the mark. As the depth of the laser etched mark increases, it is often considered engraving followed by deep engraving. 

The method you select is dependent on the type of mark you want to achieve. For instance, some post-processing applications such as galvanizing require greater mark depth to ensure mark quality and readability. Certain industries also require particular marking depths to meet regulatory standards.

Laser Etching	0.0001 in. Depth
Laser Engraving	0.0001 - 0.005 in. Depth
Deep Laser Engraving	> 0.005 in. Depth

 

 

How do Laser Etching and Engraving Work?

• To create permanent marks, laser etching and engraving processes start with a beam of concentrated light energy.

• The laser beam targets a small area of the material, known as the focal point.

• The heat generated by the light energy allows the laser machine to alter the material's surface, while the focal point ensures it affects only a specified part of the surface.

• The result is a smooth, high-contrast, lasting mark, which can be human readable (serial number) or machine readable (barcode), etched or engraved into the part's surface. 

In the laser etching process, this mark will reach a depth of about 0.0001 inches. In the laser engraving process, the mark depth is typically up to 0.005 inches.

A subset of this process, known as deep laser engraving, is characterized by a mark that is greater than 0.005 inches deep. These marks are extremely durable and beneficial for industries where marks need to withstand harsh conditions.
 

 

What Types of Laser Engraver Technology will Make These Marks?

Beyond the marking process, another critical factor in getting the final mark you need is the laser engraving technology. While many variables affect your choice in laser engraving machine, there are a few common technologies used for laser etching and engraving:

• Fiber laser marking machine
  Marks a wide variety of materials, including steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, ceramics and some plastics
• CO2 laser marking machine
  Ideal for wood, glass, rubber, plastics, cardboard, and product packaging
• Diode-Pumped (Tiburon) laser marking machine
  Ultra-short pulses deliver sharper marks for lighter etching applications
• Green laser marking machine
  Shorter wavelength for heat-sensitive materials, including plastic, glass, and ceramic
• UV laser marking machine
  Minimizes heat damage for fast, clean, hygienic marks
• LightWriter Laser Marking Workstation
  Easy, economical desktop laser engraver