Laser marking can be used to engrave serial numbers, text, and logos on sand molds used for metal casting. This process is known as sand marking. After the casting process, identifiers “stick out” the part so they can be read using barcode readers. The characters’ shape and depth are controlled by the marking process, but they are also affected by the quality and consistency of the casting process.
Sand marking is a great alternative to inserts and mechanical engravings. It allows for unique markings on each sand casted part without the need for inserts or modifications to the mold’s design each time. The process is highly precise and can be fully or semi-automated.
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Sand puck samples before and after laser marking. Identifiers are mirrored to appear properly on the final casting.
Sand Marking Depth
Laser marking depth is affected by factors such as:
- The number of laser passes
- Sand compression
- The type of sand
- The grain size
- Glue additives
A 3D rendering of a marked surface. The average depth of the characters is 1.60 mm, and the characters’ height is 8 mm.
Profile view of a cross section from a 3D measurement of the letter “U”, showing slight depth variation.
Sand Marking Speed
Sand marking is a fast marking process. Since sand molds are brittle, their grains are easily removed by the laser beam. Faster markings speeds can be obtained by modifying the system’s parameters.
To obtain sand marking speeds, Laserax used the character “8”—the worst-case scenario in terms of complexity. This allows us to guarantee high-quality markings for the given speeds
Laser marking speed is affected by factors such as:
- The type of sand and its condition
- The size, depth, and thickness of the characters
- The laser power
The Effect of Character Height & Depth on Laser Marking Speed*
| Depth (mm) | ||||
| Height (mm) | 0.70 - 0.90 | 1.40 - 1.80 | 2.10 - 2.70 | 2.80 - 3.60 |
| 4 | 0.15 s | 0.25 s | 0.35 s | 0.45 s |
| 8 | 0.25 s | 0.45 s | 0.70 s | 0.90 s |
| 12 | 0.40 s | 0.75 s | 1.10 s | 1.45 s |
| 16 | 0.55 s | 1.05 s | 1.55 s | 2.05 s |
* The character “8” was engraved in green sand using a Laserax 200W pulsed fiber laser
When marking sand, 100W or 200W lasers are the most suitable solutions. If more is speed is needed, multiple 100W or 200W lasers will perform better than a single higher-power laser of equivalent power.
The Effect of Laser Power on Laser Marking Speed*
| Depth (mm) | ||||
| Laser Power (W) | 0.70 - 0.90 | 1.40 - 1.80 | 2.10 - 2.70 | 2.80 - 3.60 |
| 100 | 0.45 s | 0.85 s | 1.25 s | 1.68 s |
| 200 | 0.40 s | 0.75 s | 1.10 s | 1.45 s |
| 300 | 0.40 s | 0.70 s | 1.05 s | 1.40 s |
| 500 | 0.35 s | 0.70 s | 1.00 s | 1.35 s |
* The character “8” was engraved 12 mm high in green sand using a Laserax pulsed fiber laser
