Laser Marking

Materials: 
Ferrous metals (iron, steel)
Titanium

Laser annealing is a marking technique that uses laser irradiation to thermally induce local oxidation without noticeable material ablation, this process creates an indelible, permanent black mark without any cracks, depressions or burrs suitable for already 
finished surfaces like high surface precision on surgical instruments and tools.

Materials:
Metals
Thermoplastic
Paper, wood, organics

In laser engraving, the laser beam locally overheats the workpiece material to the vaporization point. In some cases, thermal effects are very evident with large Heat Affected Zones (HAZ), colored oxides can be produced at the bottom or the engraving further accentuating the marking.

Material marked:
Metals

The laser etching process consists of using laser irradiation to alter the superficial finish of a metal and create contrast by enhancing the way it reflects ambient light. Depth of penetration usually does not exceed 0.01mm. Laser etching is probably the most widely used high speed laser marking process.

Materials:
ANY, depending on coating

Ablation marking process consists of the partial/complete removal of one or more 
coating layers which exposes the contrasting color of the substrate material. This process is popular for backlight marking and ‘night & day’ buttons and keys in the automotive, computer and mobile electronics industries, where a dark spray coating is applied on a transparent substrate, and then selectively ablated by laser irradiation. Short pulses with high peak reduces the thermal impact on the material resulting in high resolution marking. 

Materials: 
Thermoplastic Materials

Due to laser absorption and low thermal conductivity the local workpiece temperature rises to its melting point. Small gas bubbles appear in the molten material, which increases its volume creating a type of plastic foam. The processed area appears much brighter then the surrounding material. This process is typically enhanced using laser marking additives that increase contrast and the reliability of the marking process. The foaming marking process is usually tactile and with poor scratch resistance.

Materials: 
Thermoplastic Materials

The use of laser-sensitive additives in plastics can generate considerable advantages. Additives in plastics are able to increase outline sharpness and contrast and thus boost readability of the marking contents e.g. of machine-readable codes. Used with transparent and semi-transparent materials, additives lead to a uniform contrast dispersal. Additives in plastics increase the diversity of product colors and are of crucial importance for the markability of certain materials.

Materials: 
Thermoplastic Materials
Paper, Wood, Organics

Carbonization of one or more specific pigments, flame retardants or other additives will provide consistent marking with sharp contrast in most light colored thermoplastic materials. Engraving may be present depending on the vaporization of the material and its absorption level.

Materials: 
Glass, transparent materials

Focusing intense laser radiation below the surface of a glass object creates a mark made of micro-cracks induced by localized absorption of the laser light. As a result, microscopic cracks cause multiple internal light reflections which makes the spot look white. Without affecting the polished surfaces, two and three dimensional images can be created inside of the glass. The images are created dot by dot and the workpiece is moved in two or three dimensions. This technique is popular for decoration as well as tamper-proof traceability. 

Materials:
Ferrous metals (iron, steel)
Titanium

Laser Color Marking of stainless steel and titanium is a well-known marking technique but still with a limited diffusion in the industry. Like laser annealing, laser color marking is based on surface oxidation, varying different laser parameters will results in different oxide coatings that can be seen as different colors by the viewer. Most important parameters in laser marking are the focal spot diameter, power on sample, marking speed, line spacing, marking direction, repetition rate and pulse length.Thanks to the capability to control laser pulse-width, and to its high stability, MOPA fiber lasers enable homogeneous and reliable color marking on ferrous metals and titanium.

Materials:
Anodized aluminum

The so called “black marking” is a technique widely used by mobile device manufacturers to mark logos and serial numbers on the anodized aluminum case with high contrast, pleasing appearance and feel and no damage on the protective oxide layer. Thanks to the capability to run at short pulses, to the high level of control of energy and peak power, Mopa fiber lasers are the best choice to combine real black appearance with the benefits of laser marking without corrupting the corrosion properties of the coated material.

ULX-LM-01 is a laser marking machine versatile and highly precise method that offers a wide range of benefits for various industries.