Technology in Laser Marking Machines

The term laser basically stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers have three distinct properties that together are used to make permanent marking on a wide variety of materials possible.

The laser engraving machine consists of three main parts, namely the laser, the controller and the surface. The laser operates like a pencil emitting high-quality monochromatic light allowing the controller to trace the pattern to the surface. The controller adjusts the direction, intensity, speed and spread of the laser beam while working on the surface.

Marking Technique

There are three main types of marking techniques used by different types of laser engravers:

1. X-Y table
   The most common technique is the X-Y table. In this technique, most models have a workpiece or nonmoving surface and laser optics move around it in the X and Y directions, drawing vectors on the surface. Other models have a variation in which the laser is not moving and the workpiece is moving, or the workpiece is moving on the X axis and the laser is moving on the Y axis, and vice versa. This is what is known as vector mode.

2. Cylindrical Laser Marking
   This technique is for cylindrical workpieces such as pipes. In this technique, the laser traverses a smooth helix, usually on a rotating cylinder, with the laser pulse on / off producing the desired image rasterized.

3. Galvo mirror
   In the third method, the laser and the workpiece are stationary. The galvo mirror uses a reflective mechanism to move a laser beam over the surface of the workpiece. Laser marking using this technology can work in raster or vector mode.

Marking Points

This is the point where the laser beam hits the work surface. It must always be in the focal plane of the laser optical system, usually the same as the focal point of the laser beam. This point is usually very small, perhaps less than a fraction of a millimeter. This is usually a characteristic of the optical wavelength, and only the material inside is significantly affected when the laser beam hits the surface.

The energy generated by the laser changes its chemical structure or vaporizes the material at the focal point, thus showing the marking you want. The main differences in the types of laser machines used in marking applications are the wavelengths each supported, and the power, which determines the speed of operation. Different wavelengths mean that different machine types will be suitable for different marking surfaces.

Conclusion

In general, laser marking systems have distinct advantages over other types of marking. We Duta Laserindo Metal offer the best metal fabrication process experience in the field of laser marking with the advantages of high contrast and permanent marking and ultimately provide you with reduced costs and preventive maintenance of your products.