What is Laser Marking? How Does it Work?

Laser marking is the practice of using lasers to engrave an object. The technique does not involve the use of inks, nor does it involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface and wear out, giving it an advantage over alternative engraving or marking technologies where inks or bit heads have to be replaced regularly.

The term laser marking is also used as a generic term covering a broad spectrum of surfacing techniques including printing, hot-branding and laser bonding. The machines for laser engraving and laser marking are the same, so that the two terms are sometimes confused by those without knowledge or experience in the practice.

Metal laser marking is an extremely efficient and high-tech process that, with a beam of light, can label and engrave both text and graphics, such as a logo in the material.

What The Laser is?

Laser is actually an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Throughout the years, the laser has become one of the most powerful manufacturing tools a company can use.

In order to create a laser, you raise the energy level of the atoms to an excited state, which enables them to release light as they fall back to their original energy, or ground state.

Who Uses Lasers?

The laser is one of the most versatile modern inventions. Lasers are used in almost every industry, including:

• Automotive
• Industrial & Tooling
• Electronics
• Medical
• Oil & Gas and much more

Each industry has its own uses for lasers. In the manufacturing industry, for example, lasers are used in a variety of everyday tasks, such as welding, cutting, cleaning, measuring, drilling and sensing, as well as marking, etching and engraving.

While there are other ways to mark materials, they don’t give you the quality, or environmentally friendly markings, that you get with laser marking, etching and engraving.

Benefits of Laser Marking

Some people may ask about the benefits of laser marking. In fact there are many benefits, like some of the examples below

• High-Precision Marking at Constant Quality

Thanks to the high precision of laser marking, even very delicate graphics, 1-point fonts and very small geometries will turn out clearly legible. At the same time, marking with the laser ensures constant high-quality results.

• High Marking Speed

Laser marking is one of the fastest marking processes available in the market. This results in high productivity and cost benefits during manufacture. Depending on the material structure and size, different laser sources or laser machines can be used to further increase the speed.

• Durable Marking

Laser etching is permanent and at the same time resistant to abrasion, heat and acids. Depending on the laser parameter settings, certain materials can also be marked without damaging the surface.