Laser Dynamics

Laser Dynamics

1164 Benjamin Ave SE, Hutchinson, Minnesota, 55350

Laser Marking

Laser Marking

Laser Marking

WHAT IS LASER MARKING?

Laser marking alters the properties and appearance of the targeted material’s surface. Laser marking differs from laser etching or laser engraving, even though the terms are often used interchangeably. Laser marking is more common than laser etching or laser engraving. Laser marking can change the color of the base material through chemical or molecular alteration. Molecular alteration, chemical alteration, foaming, charring, melting, annealing, and carbon migration are some of the different processes that are achieved from laser marking different materials with varying wavelengths of light and specific laser parameters.

In laser marking, color contrast and surface texture are a couple of the important considerations to keep in mind when establishing laser marking parameters.

• CONTRAST

It is undesirable, for example, to make a black laser mark on black material. If you did this, you would not easily be able to see the laser marking on that part. The picture to the right showing white laser marking on a black part is an example of excellent marking contrast.

• SURFACE PRESERVATION

Foreign body infections can be contracted from the adhesion of bacteria to medical device surfaces. The adhesion of bacteria is called bio-film adhesion and is made up of microorganisms that stick to each other and to a surface. To reduce these bio-film adhesion complications, the surface texture of the material that has been laser marked can be of significant importance to the final product. For this reason, in many cases, it is desirable to create a subsurface laser mark where the laser marking does not affect the outer surface of the target material.

When observing a subsurface laser marked area, the outer surface of the marked material will have the same sheen or light reflection characteristics when viewed under a microscope as the unmarked area of the material does. In other products, it may not be possible to achieve a subsurface laser mark. The objective is usually to create a smooth laser marked surface finish that is equal to or better than the surface finish of the original or surrounding material in order to minimize bio-film adhesion.

WHAT IS ENGRAVING AND ETCHING?

Laser etching and laser engraving are essentially the same processes and the two terms can be used interchangeably. Unlike laser marking, laser engraving or laser etching removes material by vaporizing and/or ejecting it with the laser beam. For polymers, this process is often called laser ablation. During the etching/engraving/ablation process, the laser is set to remove a certain depth and pattern of material from the part, which is somewhat similar to mechanical engraving.

BENEFITS OF LASER MARKING

Laser marking does not cause abrasions or damage to the area surrounding the target material. Laser marking leaves exact, accurate, and high-contrast marks that can easily be read by the human eye.

THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

Before the introduction of laser marking, the manufacturing industry provided mechanical engraving and screen printing for marking surfaces with patterns, images, text or barcodes. Mechanical engraving would often damage the products and screen printing tended to fade rather quickly from abrasion. Laser marking introduced a permanent, non-contact solution; it is an eco-friendly process that does not use paint or chemicals. It is an entirely toxic-free process that uses laser beams to affect the intended target area. For these reasons, laser marking is quickly becoming the go-to technology for part identification and labeling.

• COUNTERFEIT REDUCTION

Product counterfeiting is an unlawful imitation of a product with the intent to deceive buyers into purchasing a knock-off of the original product. Many industries are affected by counterfeit products, and understandably, the government cannot detect every counterfeited product in the marketplace. The trademark owners are often left alone battling the fake products and have to invest in tracking counterfeit sales. Counterfeit products are capable of causing massive losses for companies and are on the rise in many parts of the world. Laser marking is a process that can help prevent product counterfeiting through permanent, intricate labeling that will not distract from the original product. Laser marking is a practical anti-counterfeiting method because the laser marking can be very difficult to be identically copied.

Laser marking is hard to reproduce identically because different laser systems often produce slightly different results on the target material. Additionally, tiny, subtle and detailed anti-counterfeiting marks can be strategically placed on the product. Any industry can protect their product with a logo, brand name, or unique serial number to quickly identify counterfeit products.

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