Laser marking machine frequently asked Questions?

Ans: In NCR – less than 24 hours and outside 2-6 business days.

Ans: Leo and Justmark machines for hallmarking and in 1 Laser Pass, it can achieve a depth of 7-8 microns which is the most important in hallmarking.

Ans: Yes, it is possible with these Markolaser Machines. 20 W laser can mark, engrave and cut up to 38-27 Gauge depth.

Ans: Yes, software-based errors can easily be resolved through the online process within a short period of time.

Ans. The laser beam of the laser markers, slightly alter the surface without evaporating it underneath thereby inducing a colour change on the surface where the laser beam is focused. Laser marking is performed through various processes such as laser annealing, laser ablation, laser coloration and laser carbon migration. https://www.markolaser.com/industries/laser-marking-and-laser-hallmarking-by-markolaser 

Ans. Laser marking is a superficial phenomenon where laser beam changes the color of the material whereas laser engraving removes material (by evaporation) up to some controlled depth. To know more about laser engraving visit : //www.markolaser.com/industries/laser-engraving-machine-for-metals

Ans. Laser marking is a controlled marking process. There is a very slight loss of surface material when the laser beams mark, clean, ablate or color the surface. The product does not get damaged due to the regulated effect of laser beams on the surface of the product. The laser marks are permanent and do not fade until and unless it is scratched with sharp edges.

a. Annealing:

 Laser annealing is a process of first heating the surface by means of laser beams and later allowing it to cool off itself. Laser Annealing is performed on material containing carbon. It oxidizes the surface up to a few microns leaving a dark black marking effect. Applications of annealing are mostly seen in medical industry for internal tracking and branding.

 

b. Colour Marking or coloration by lasers:

Ans. Laser marking is a non-contact permanent marking process without any tooling requirements. Lasers can be used to create a permanent color mark on a metal surface as a one step process with a high throughput. Titanium, Stainless steel, chrome plating,  are some of the many color markable materials known.  Laser enhanced Surface oxidation of metals form thin oxide films. Variation in the oxide layer thickness and the surface roughness will have an effect to the resulting color . Depending on the oxide layer quality, the color may change when viewed from different angles.

Color marking has its applications in decoration, Branding etc on stainless steel, titanium and other metals.

 

c. Metal Removal/ Ablation:

Laser ablation is a subtractive technique of selective removal of materials like perylene, polyamides, silver chloride and gold, from solid metals, glass, ceramics & semiconductors by focusing high flux laser beams which irradiates and vaporizes the layer until the desired depth of material removal is achieved.

Applications of ablation are seen in micro manufacturing (surface roughening & increasing friction), Insulation removal, mold cleaning, corrosion cleaning, de oiling, sensitive substrate cleaning i.e. CFRP, pre-treatment of materials for welding, brazing or varnishing, lead paint removal and de-coating, creating patterns, microelectronics, automotive, diagnostics, life sciences and medical industries (marker band annealing, 3-dimensional laser ablating of PEEK for implants) etc.
 

d. Foaming:

 Foamed laser marking, foaming or frothing process is used on  carbon containing plastics or a polymer material to create optical effects, letters and symbols, by melting the work piece locally using laser beams, thereby creating small gas bubbles in the molten material, increasing the volume creating a plastic foam. The result is a raised mark. Laser foaming or laser frothing is commonly used in FMCG packaging industry and automotive sectors.

e. Laser carbon migration by  Laser marking.

Carbon migration is a thermo chemical type of laser marking in which metals containing carbon like steel, SS, Carbide, titanium are  given high amount of heat, causing the metal to chemically bond with its carbon molecules. This bonding brings the carbon properties to the surface of the material. When laser carbonization occurs, it  often results in  high contrast marking that can be grey or black.

 The application of Carbon migration laser marking are- jewellery manufacturing, aerospace, micro manufacturing.

 

For more information visit: https://www.markolaser.com/industries/laser-marking-and-laser-hallmarking-by-markolaser