The available types of lasers—such as CO2 lasers, YVO4 lasers, and YAG lasers—depends on the target material and the desired marking method. Masking enables high-speed, high-resolution marking, but masks that match the content being marked must be prepared. This section describes information ranging from the principles of plastic marking and processing to advantages grouped by laser wavelength. Laser marking plastic Lasers mark plastic components not only permanently and flexibly, but also very environmentally and material friendly. When the base material is irradiated with a laser, gas bubbles are generated inside the material due to the thermal effect of the radiation. Degree of depth is the primary distinguishing factor. Laser Marking for Other Materials (Glass / Paper / Ceramics / Other), Laser Marking for 2D Codes (Data matrix / QR Code / Barcode), Process Improvements from Mould Machining. Looking for a laser marking machine? Laser marking is a non-contact optical process in which the plastic has to absorb the laser beam. From PET bottles to thin film materials, marking can be achieved with no pin holes. The markings produced in laser marking operations contrast with the material surface, making them easy for both humans and machines to read. The types of laser used and some practical examples of laser processing. Should a plastic’s properties mean that it cannot be laser marked, it can usually … All Rights Reserved. Nylon is great for laser cutting and in the case of fabrics, the cut edges do not fray after they are heat sealed with the laser. Laser Marking Basics is designed to learn about laser marking applications and includes information on laser principles, types, and marking. The laser radiation changes the crystal structure of the ions and the hydration level in the crystal. Use the heat of laser radiation to weld and join plastic parts. Foaming works on all polymers, but also on some metals. Many plastics and thermoplastics can be laser marked. The surface of a target is cut or engraved. The laser marking machine for plastic works on a low power level and longer pulses. Marking provides a print-like finishing on designs and other surfaces that cannot be erased. Gasified, evaporated bubbles are contained in the surface layer of the base material and create a whitish swelling. Utilising high-output laser light, laser markers are capable of high-speed marking for efficient production. This makes laser marking the preferred option for marks that need to remain legible even after several years, such as part numbers and serial numbers. Using a laser with a short wavelength (9.3 μm) enables clear marking with minimal damage. Laser engraving has replaced conventional two-part injection molding and rotary engraving as the preferred method for rapid production of custom day-and-night marks because of its speed, operational flexibility, and mark quality. along with other resins for marking with variety of different lasers like 1064 nm Nd:YAG-Laser, fiber laser and solid state lasers. Irradiation from the laser light results in a highly visible white colour on the surface of the plastic. Learn About Plastic Engraving Machines CO2 Laser Marking Machine: Rliable, cost-effective performance and high-quality marking for plastics and a wide range of other materials. Challenges for Plastic Laser Marking Machine Manufacturers. Includes an overview of the different technologies. Marking is split into two main categories: "contact marking" and "non-contact marking”. Peel the paint or printing on the target surface to bring out the contrast with the colour of the base material. Laser markers use laser light irradiated to a specific point, making high-accuracy marking possible. By using laser radiation to develop a color instead of engraving the plastic, damage from marking the target is minimized. Depending on the material structure and size, different laser sources (e. g. fiber lasers) or laser machines (e. g. galvo lasers) can be used to further increase the speed. You will surely find a suitable laser for your product making. No material is removed, but some foaming is possible. Laser marking is fundamentally different from ink printing, the traditional method of marking on plastics. Conventional scanning methods only allow control from the X and Y axes, meaning the light could only be scanned on a flat surface. Laser marking causes physical and chemical changes on the surface of the plastic, thus causing marks that are more permanent than standard ink printing or etching. In this section, you will find applications in a wide variety of industries as well as detailed examples showing the advantages in using laser markers. The surface of a target is scorched, oxidised, or discoloured by the laser light. More specifically, a laser light emitted from an oscillator is captured (scanned) by the scanning mirror and applied to the surface of the target for marking. Check out our 2020 buyer's guide to the top 10 laser marking machines. In the case of plastics, the process is characterized by a fast marking speed and low cycle times. This page shows some applications and information of laser processing. This is a must-read if you want to check the laser lineup first! When the base material is irradiated with a laser, gas bubbles are generated inside the material due to the thermal effect of the radiation. A great diversity of plastics are being deployed especially in the automotive or medical industry. This page shows some applications and information of laser processing. With labeling and printing methods, labels or printed surfaces may peel off or fade, making it impossible to identify the printed content. These scanning mirrors are called galvano mirrors, and a system that uses one or more of these mirrors is called a “galvano scanner” or “galvano mirror scanning system”. Irradiate a plastic target with a laser to develop a color in the target itself. In the White Paper you will learn that the quality of the marking is determined by the type of the selected laser etching system, the utilized marking parameters, but also by the selection of special additives in the plastic mix. The graph below shows the transmission ratio of a fundamental laser (1064 nm), a green laser (532 nm), and a UV laser (355 nm) for various plastic materials. Laser markers can be roughly divided into two types: masking laser markers and scanning laser markers. This is due to the fact that - compared to conventional marking procedures - no templates or consumables such as ink are required. When an area continuously receives high energy, macromolecules of the element around the base material are carbonised and turn black. White paper "Plastic laser marking" Based on the properties of a plastic, its functional purpose and its intended use the requirements for marking it are varying. Laser-based colouration can be divided into four main principles. Laser light is applied to a mask surface, and only those parts that pass through the mask are marked. This section introduces marking techniques and laser selection according to the material. The surface of the target itself is coloured, resulting in high-contrast areas. Laser Marking Plastics? Laser marking is used for marking logos, product names, serial numbers, model numbers, and other information onto a product by irradiating the target with a laser light to melt, scorch, peel, oxidise, cut, or discolour the surface. Irradiation from the laser light results in a black colour on the surface of the plastic. On the other hand, the transmission ratio for polyimide is about 30% with a green laser (532 nm) but more than 90% with a fundamental laser (1064 nm). Laser marking with colour change is basically an electrical process, which reorders the macromolecules (changing their direction). Should a plastic’s properties dictate that it cannot be laser … This method is generally referred to as engraving. This section introduces the basic principles and features of laser marking as well as marking examples. The surface of a target is removed, marked, or engraved in some way. Consequently, the composition of the element itself changes chemically, resulting in colour development due to the increased intensity of the pigment. All Rights Reserved. Laser Marking for Plastic. This behavior is also utilized in the laser welding of plastics, during which one welding partner absorbs the laser beam and the other welding partner is transparent to the laser beam. When the base material absorbs the laser energy, the thermal effect increases the molecular density. This is a must-read if you want to check the laser lineup first! Laser marking is a non-contact optical process in which the plastic has to absorb the laser beam. You will surely find a suitable laser for your product making. Generally, the fiber laser generates a white mark on any plastic base color. PVC, ABS, and polystyrene, both fundamental and green lasers show low transmission ratio and high absorption ratio, which ensures good marking. In this section, you will find applications in a wide variety of industries as well as detailed examples showing the advantages in using laser markers. The “pigment” elements in the base material always contain metallic ions. The “pigment” elements in the base material always contain metallic ions. Laser marking on plastic can be obtained with either a CO 2 or a fiber laser source. This section introduces marking techniques and laser selection according to the material. The laser process terms “laser marking”, “laser etching”, “laser engraving” are often interchanged, however the technical aspects have important distinctions. Learn all about basic laser topics such as oscillation principles and characteristics according to wavelength. This site is managed by KEYENCE CORP. Copyright (C) 2021 KEYENCE CORPORATION. Laser Marking Plastic Arthur Brodskiy 2019-09-11T16:31:47-04:00 LASER MARKING Molded plastic parts have become ubiquitous components of industrial equipment, medical devices, aerospace & aviation components, vehicle & marine parts and common household appliances. Laser marking: The laser beam acts by decoloring the heated surface (clear marking on dark plastic or grey or black marking on clear material). Laser marking is one of the fastest marking processes available in the market. The laser works with a maximum pulse rate, but low energy per pulse. Lasers can be used for a variety of marking methods including surface melting and scorching, plating and paint peeling, oxidisation, and discolouration. Plastic Processing Plastic marking The optimal laser marker for this task is a hybrid laser marker that has a high peak power within the fundemental wavelength. It introduces marking examples and the optimal laser markers for a variety of materials such as ABS, epoxy, and PET. Remove/engrave the surface layer with a laser. Many plastics and thermoplastics can be laser marked. Pin holes can appear as a result of overheating when marking under high power. With laser marking, however, there is no need to worry that marked content will disappear over time. Laser marking is a type of non-contact marking. along with other resins for marking with variety of different lasers like 1064 nm Nd:YAG-Laser, fiber laser and solid state lasers. Scanning irradiates a target with a single laser light, and marking is performed in a stroke-like motion. Laser Cut Nylon Services Nylon is a man-made synthetic fiber that is known for its elasticity and strength. In most cases pressing too much when marking can be counterproductive and can decrease the final contrast, so it is better to start with 1 repetition and gradually increase them. Recently, marking applications with various types have become common, and the high-speed capabilities of scanning lasers help cover weaker aspects of production. This method provides contrast against the base material colour by peeling the paint, printed surface, or plating layers of a target for marking. The absorption ratio varies greatly depending on the wavelength. Laser Marking is a permanent marking process where discoloration occurred at the surface when a low powered laser beam reacts with the surface of a material, by changing the material properties.. Laser markers can be used to perform various marking tasks, including the following. Plastic laser marking. The molecules are condensed and the colour changes to a darker colour. The molecules are condensed and the colour changes to a darker colour. The laser choice will depend on the application requirements. Markings are white and clear, making for an ideal replacement for stamps, labels, and printing. This has resulted in an increase in scanning systems that allow for a higher degree of freedom. By using Ytterbium Fiber Laser (1062 nm) technology, the laser quickly creates a permanent mark on your plastic part by reacting with the chemicals in the plastic to create a colored mark on the plastic, whether it is black, white, orange, or many other colors of plastic. This behaviour is also used in the laser welding of plastics, during which one welding partner absorbs the laser beam and the other welding partner is transparent for the laser beam. “What exactly is a laser?” “What are the principles behind lasers?” Whether you’re interested in basic knowledge questions like these or more in-depth information such as oscillator structures, these technical references provide the answers in an easy-to-understand way. Different material types behave differently while progressing with laser marking plastic, and there are lots of them: polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, acrylic, nylon… The highly visible, print-like finishing does not disappear like ink. Irradiate a plastic target with a laser to develop a colour in the target itself. Peel the paint or printing on the target surface to bring out the contrast with the colour of the base material. This section describes information ranging from the principles of plastic marking and processing to advantages grouped by laser wavelength. Laser-based marking is performed as follows. When the base material absorbs the laser energy, the thermal effect increases the molecular density. Topics: Based on the nature of the plastic, its functional purpose and its intended use the requirements for its marking are varying. When an area continuously receives high energy, macromolecules of the element around the base material are carbonised and turn black. Marking visibility and durability . (Example) Wide-area marking on LSI. These bubbles are particularly visible with darker base materials and result in “thin” colouration. Learn all about basic laser topics such as oscillation principles and characteristics according to wavelength. Marking provides a print-like finishing on designs and other surfaces that cannot be erased. Laser marking is a permanent and customizable method of marking plastic parts. Our laser marking additives can be used in polyolefins like PP, HDPE, PS, ABS, PC, TPU, PET, PBT, Nylon, PVC and TPE etc. Selecting the best marking method ensures damage-free marking regardless of the target material. Laser Marking for Other Materials (Glass / Paper / Ceramics / Other), Laser Marking for 2D Codes (Data matrix / QR Code / Barcode), Process Improvements from Mould Machining. Damage-free marking is the best method for marking targets where damage to the product surface or the inside due to laser energy is a concern. Total Solutions for High Contrast Laser Marking of Plastic. Carbonizing on the other hand enables strong contrasts on bright surfaces. Laser engraving plastic demands both scientific and creative approach. Direct ink printing puts an image on the surface of the plastic which can be removed by abrasion or solvents, but Laser marking can provide an indelible high-contrast mark in the material itself, with no direct contact with the plastic other than through the incident Laser beam. The most common processes of laser marking on plastic are carbonization, color change, foaming and engraving. Gasified, evaporated bubbles are contained in the surface layer of the base material and create a whitish swelling. Even small characters can be easily identified, ensuring reliable quality control. These bubbles are particularly visible with darker base materials and result in “thin” colouration. Color laser engraving can essentially be broken down into two subsets, that of color laser engraving on metal and color laser marking on plastic. “What exactly is a laser?” “What are the principles behind lasers?” Whether you’re interested in basic knowledge questions like these or more in-depth information such as oscillator structures, these technical references provide the answers in an easy-to-understand way. Consequently, the composition of the element itself changes chemically, resulting in colour development due to the increased intensity of the pigment. Our laser marking additives can be used in polyolefins like PP, HDPE, PS, ABS, PC, TPU, PET, PBT, Nylon, PVC and TPE etc. This section introduces the principles, characteristics, and advantages of laser marking—a type of laser processing—as well as typical processing examples. Today’s laser markers, however, can control the Z-axis height using a scanning mirror, making it possible to mark a wide variety of targets with various shapes. Laser markings on plastic surfaces are always smudge and abrasion resistant. Laser Engraving Enables Cost-Effective Day-and-Night Markings on Plastic Parts. This results in high productivity and cost benefits during manufacture. It introduces marking examples and the optimal laser markers for a variety of materials such as ABS, epoxy, and PET. Marking that appears as if the white characters are floating from the surface is possible with transparent/translucent PET plastic. Color Laser Marking on Plastics As of this writing, color laser markings for plastics is still limited, but recently developed techniques may … The types of laser used and some practical examples of laser processing. This results in increased labour and costs when marking various patterns. The laser radiation changes the crystal structure of the ions and the hydration level in the crystal. You are looking for a high-quality plastic mark. This section explains the advantages of laser marking compared with stamping, labeling, engraving, and printing marking methods. The CO 2 laser is more often used for etching or engraving on the plastic. The contact-free method can also be used to mark hard-to-reach and curved surfaces of the part. The laser marking process accommodates a variety of materials, ranging from metal and plastic to leather, glass, wood, and more. Copyright (C) 2021 KEYENCE CORPORATION. Laser works with a laser to develop a color in the target Cut! Colour on the application requirements like ink the element itself changes chemically resulting! Color instead of engraving the plastic, its functional purpose and its intended use the requirements its. 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