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Laser Machining Processes - Laser Engraving, Laser Marking, Laser Coding
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Laser marking or laser engraving is the process used to engrave metal and plastic parts. Laser engraving is an automatable, programmable process and is often used to engrave serial numbers, barcodes, product numbers and batch numbers onto hardened steel or plastic parts.
For laser marking of metal parts the process involved laser etching the surface to engrave the desired text or design.
For laser engraving of plastics the process is different. The laser marking principle is to irradiate the polymer with a high-energy radiation source such as a laser. The radiant energy is then absorbed locally by the material and converted to thermal energy. The thermal energy induces reactions to occur in the material.
Laser marking and engraving is commonly used in automated processes to marked product numbers, codes, serial numbers, barcodes and logos onto components and products. Many engravers and coders are provided with software for automatic generation of unique serial numbers and barcodes. Laser engraving is also used for one off applications such as name plate and trophy engraving.
Laser engraving produces excellent, good looking coding as commonly seen on roller bearings. Laser marking produces coding which looks very similar to standard black printing.
For laser marking, the material itself must be able to absorb the frequency of the laser energy to work effectively. So correct choice of materials must be made for good results.
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