Laser Applications For Permanent Marking
About Laser Marking and Engraving
Laser marking applications involve permanent industrial processes that use a beam of concentrated light to alter the surface of a part. The term "laser marking" actually represents several types of laser applications, including laser engraving.Laser marking and engraving applications vary widely and are used across a variety of industries and materials. Laser applications like marking, etching, engraving, and carbon migration allow manufacturers to create important identifying marks on their products, including barcodes, QR codes, serial numbers, date codes, and more. Laser technology can also be used for a wide range of processes, such as bonding, welding, and cutting. These automated marking technologies saves time, reduces waste, and can enable part traceability -- a critital element of Industry 4.0.
Types of laser applications include:
Laser Marking
Laser Etching and Engraving
Carbon Migration
Laser Annealing
Laser Bonding
Laser Cutting
Laser Discoloration
Laser Welding
Laser Ablation
Benefits of Laser Part Marking
Laser part marking technology is growing in popularity among many manufacturers thanks to its numerous operational advantages.While there are several different types of laser processes, they share many similar benefits, including:
- Permanent and readable marks
- High-speed operations
- High-contrast marks
- No contact
- Minimal consumables
- Marks metals, plastics, rubber, paper/cardboard
Laser Part Marking and Traceability
Part traceability, the capacity for tracking a component and its relevant history throughout its life cycle, is more important than ever in today’s industrial environment.
The growing complexity of supply chains in addition to the threats of counterfeiting and product recalls have prompted many modern manufacturing operations to implement high-quality permanent laser part marking systems. These systems are able to link unique identifiers – such as 1D linear barcodes or 2D matrix codes – to a computer-enabled database via MECCO’s EtherMark technology or custom graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The marked codes can provide invaluable track and trace information, such as part number, lot number, and manufacturing date.
Text on black plastic, Logo on wood, Graphics on anodized aluminum, Layer removal on cardboard, 2D Data Matrix on metal, Contrast mark on white plastic
Laser Marking and Engraving Various Materials
Laser marking and engraving systems can mark a wide range of both organic and inorganic materials. Based on your specific application and requirements, our experts can help you decide if a fiber laser, VP MOPA laser, CO2 laser, green laser, or UV laser marking machine is right for you.
WIDE VARIETY OF METALS & PLASTICS
Fiber lasers use an optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements such as ytterbium. They are versatile marking systems that mark the widest variety of metals and plastics, including:
- Steel and stainless steel
- Bare and cast aluminum
- Copper
- Titanium
- Plastics
PLASTICS & ANODIZED ALUMINUM
For a lower wattage laser that specializes in brighter, crisper marks on plastics and aluminum, MECCO offers a unique diode-pumped laser with patented diodes pumping YAG Crystal.
This type of laser uses a higher peak power to remove paint, anodization, and oxide 25-50% faster while brightening the base material significantly.
ORGANIC MATERIALS
Marking parts composed of organic materials, such as wood, glass, plastic, or rubber? The CO2 laser is a carbon dioxide continuous wave laser that is ideal for marking these types of materials.
Laser Applications
Lasers have many valuable uses in today's manufacturing business. Explore the different laser applications, then learn more details, understand when to use each application, and explore videos to see the them in action.
Carbon Migration
Commonly used in the medical industry for its ability to make clean, hygienic marks, carbon migration occurs during the heating of metal or metal alloys, causing the metal to chemically bond with traces of carbon molecules at or near the part’s surface, creating a dark – sometimes even black – permanent mark.
Learn More about Carbon Migration
Laser Annealing
Laser annealing refers to localized heating that changes the color of the material being heated depending on temperature of the heat. Popular for marking metals, annealing leaves smooth, dark, non-oxidizing marks.
Learn More about Laser Annealing
Laser Bonding
Laser bonding, great for a variety of metals, glass, ceramic, and plastic, is unlike any other type of laser application in that it is an additive process that affixes material to the surface/part that is being marked.
Learn More about Laser Bonding
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is fast, precise, and delivers a high-quality finish through a non-contact process at a defined focal length. Cut high-precision patterns out of a variety metals, including steel, titanium, aluminum, and copper as well as some plastics and glass.
Learn More about Laser Cutting
Laser Discoloration
Used in automotive, electronics, and medical industries, laser discoloration on plastic happens when color is changed from the pigments or additives interaction with the laser’s localized heating.
Learn More about Laser Discoloration
Laser Etching and Laser Engraving
Laser etching and engraving can be done on almost any part, making it a great solution for traceability in a variety of industries. The mark left by laser engravers and laser etching is permanent, weather-resistant, and durable for a variety of applications.
Learn More about Laser Etching and Engraving
Laser Marking
Laser marking is a permanent process that leaves a lasting mark on a surface through a variety of methods. This marking can be done with a pulsed or continuous wave laser to add barcodes, unique identification numbers, and other valuable traceability information.
Learn More about Laser Marking
Laser Welding
Laser welding, most prominent in the automotive industry, utilizes a laser beam as a concentrated heat source to join multiple pieces together. Delivering a focused heat source, laser welding creates a strong seam at a high speed.
Learn More about Laser Welding
Layer Ablation
Laser ablation involves removing a layer from the surface of a part. Individual layers can be ablated without damaging the underlying surfaces, making it an ideal solution for a number of industries.
Learn More about Layer Ablation
Get the Right Mark with Laser Application Testing
Getting the right mark consistently is important for any successful operation. A variety of factors, from materials to finishes can affect your final outcome.
Before making an investment, take advantage of our free sample marking, available through our state-of-the-art applications lab. Our experts work with you to ensure you are getting the right mark every time, helping you reduce waste, increase quality, and save money.
Laser Part Marking Manufacturers
Your business isn't one size fits all, and your marking solution shouldn't be either.
Across our long history of innovation, the MECCO team has lived by this philosophy: First, understand what our customers need. Then, provide the highest possible quality marking and traceability solutions to help them meet their goals. As a leading laser part marking manufacturer, we offer a full line of laser marking systems and engineered solutions. Through the MECCO Experience, our experts guide you to the best solution to help you be more efficient, more productive, and more competitive in an ever-evolving market.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you mark smarter.
Watch MECCO Lasers
See these marking applications in action in the MECCO Video Library, where our lasers demonstrate the marking of barcodes, text and logos on a variety of materials.
Explore Our Machines
Explore our variety of laser marking products, from OEM models to benchtop workstations to full turnkey solutions. Our product section allows you to filter by material, application, industry, and part size to find the best piece of marking equipment for your project.