Laser marking is a non-invasive process that uses a high-power laser to create a visible, virtually indestructible mark on physical items for tracking. It is environmentally friendly and can be used on all types of substrates. Laser marking can result in charring, foaming, or ablation depending on the material and laser used. It is commonly used for barcoding, diamond certification, and adding logos to products.
Laser marking is used to permanently mark a physical item for tracking, both for safety and quality control purposes. Instead of using a vibrating or rotary tool to etch a mark into the object, a high power laser is used.
While most forms of engraving cause some loss of the marked material when it is engraved, laser marking results in essentially no material loss. Instead, the laser is used to create a change in the color of the material, creating a visible, virtually indestructible mark with minimal actual impact on the object.
Most plastics can be laser marked, and the process is used on everything from ID badges to complimentary pens. Due to its indelible nature, laser marking is an ideal choice for barcodes and other inconspicuous forms of tracking.
An added benefit of laser marking is environmental: with no inks or solvents used, the impact is minimal. As costs are reduced, this factor becomes decisive for many environmentally conscious companies and individuals.
There are three main results of laser marking, depending on the material involved and the laser used to mark the item. Charring occurs when the absorbed energy heats the surrounding material enough to cause slight degradation, resulting in a black mark. Foaming occurs in the case of plastic marking when the surrounding temperature is high enough to cause the polymers to degrade into gas, forming small bubbles. Ablation occurs when the material becomes extremely hot and the plastic degrades completely, leaving a clean depression.
One particularly popular use of laser marking in recent years has been in bar coding and diamond certification. By using extremely narrow beams at very low wavelengths well into the deep ultraviolet range, codes can be inscribed in diamonds with virtually no external damage. A 193nm excimer laser is used to create a mark so small it is completely invisible to the naked eye and unobtrusive enough to reduce the chance of cracking or chipping to zero.
Laser marking can be used on all types of substrates including wood, metal and fiberglass. In addition to barcodes and other tracking information, many companies use laser marking to add their logo to parts or products. An added bonus is that the markings can be applied in hard to reach areas; all that is required is a direct line of sight for the laser beam.
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