Laser Etching & Engraving
Etching and engraving are the main laser processes used to produce markings onto parts and products. Using a fiber laser system, permanent markings can be etched and engraved onto most metals. The only exception is stainless steel, which requires laser annealing. The most common etchings and engravings are data matrix codes, barcodes, logos, serial numbers and alphanumerical characters.
Unlike alternatives, laser etching and laser engraving systems function without consumables and do not touch the surfaces they mark. For the shop floor, this means low operative costs and low maintenance. These processes are also easy to automate, making them ideal for inline integration. Manufacturers who need batch marking can also operate a workstation.
Laser Etching Applications
Laser etching generates raised marks by allowing heated surfaces to expand. It’s the fastest laser marking process and can be used to mark a wide variety of materials.
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Laser Etching in ManufacturingLaser etching is the most efficient process for manufacturing applications. Not only does it create permanent markings, but it also offers the fastest marking speed and the best contrast. |
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Laser Etching Before CoatingLaser etching can be used to create raised marks that maintain traceability after post-treatments like powder coating and e-coating. Many manufacturers use laser etching for coated extrusions and automotive parts. To obtain better contrast through thick coatings, etching and engraving are sometimes used together. |
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Laser Etching Heat Treated PartsHeat treated parts can be permanently marked with laser etching. If the part is still hot, etching will be faster than usual and could even require a lower power laser. 2D codes can also be etched on metal surfaces before heat treatments and still maintain a high contrast. This has proven to work with T6 and T7 heat treatments. |
Laser Engraving Applications
The laser engraving process uses a laser beam that generates such a high heat that it vaporizes the material’s surface into dust. The deeper the engraving depth, the longer the marking time. Engraving provides unmatched durability and readability when abrasion is an issue.
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Shotblast Resistant Laser EngravingWith Laserax’s patent-pending technology, 2D codes can be engraved in a manner that protects them from shotblasting. This allows part manufacturers to integrate laser engraving before shotblasting and meet automotive OEM traceability requirements. |
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Deep Laser Engraving of VIN NumbersAutomakers frequently laser engrave VIN numbers to implement unmatched part traceability. With deep engravings of up to 0.5 mm into the metal, VIN markings remain readable even if they frequently withstand abrasion. |
Other Laser Etching & Engraving Applications
Laser etching and laser engraving can be used for a multitude of applications. At Laserax, we’ve built our reputation by solving issues no one else could. If you are unsure whether your application can be done, contact our experts to discuss your project.
What You Need to Know Before Integration
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Barcode ValidationIf you’re etching or engraving for traceability, laser markers can come with a pre-integrated barcode reader that validates your codes. You can also choose your own barcode validation tools. The main advantage of a pre-integrated barcode reader is that it is already calibrated and connected to the laser. This allows you to reduce integration time and benefit from preprogrammed alarms that let you know when marking quality diminishes. |
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Advantages of High-Quality Laser HeadsIf the laser’s depth of focus is too small, manufacturers may need to constantly adjust the laser head between jobs before they can etch or engrave. Fortunately, our lasers have a depth of focus large enough to account for positioning variations. Our basic 2D heads have a depth of focus of 6 mm for laser etching and 3 mm for laser engraving, which is the highest standard for 2D heads on the market. To prevent laser head adjustments, some laser manufacturers sell more expensive 3D heads instead. If you cannot precisely position parts in front of the laser, a 3D head may be necessary to add a large focusing range. |
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Optimized Marking TechnologyTo offer you the best results that laser technology has to offer, we run tests on your workpieces and optimize the process for your application. Benchmarking has shown that our lasers are faster and provide better results than those of similar power on the market. Our laser expertise allows us to choose the optimal laser marking parameters and optical components for each application. We adjust the marking process for the surface of the material, the laser power, the code size, its colors, and so on. |
Our Products for Industrial Applications
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Laserax offers OEM laser markers for custom solutions with integrators. This includes fiber lasers and CO2 lasers to mark various types of materials. We also offer a range of standard solutions that include manual workstations, foundry solutions and inline laser machines for manufacturers. |