Metal
How you can use a laser machine to mark and engrave metals.
With laser machines, soft metals such as aluminum or hard metals or alloys such as steel can be marked permanently, easily and quickly. The applications range from labeling for traceability to the personalization of promotional items.
The contactless marking process, without consumables or tool wear, ensures the lowest costs per marking. With steel alloys, it’s even possible to produce corrosion-resistant laser markings without damaging the surface of the metal using so-called annealing marking.
Do you need to mark metals?
Laser marking on metal is a contactless process that doesn’t require any additional pre-marking or post-marking work.
Laser marking is extremely effective on metals, where it is easy to achieve a wide range of diverse results. Laser marking, as well as laser engraving, is clean and precise.
Lasers markers for metals utilizes the most efficient industrial engraving technology available.
Laser markers do not damage metal, and the resulting mark is resistant to acid and corrosive chemicals. Additionally, laser marking machines help optimize production time.
About Q-switch and MOPA lasers
Fiber lasers offers the best laser technology for marking metal. They are perfect for laser marking, micromachining, and cutting any type of metal or alloy. They are also great for engraving painted metal and surface-treated metal, such as anodized aluminum. Fiber lasers can be used in Q-switch version or the MOPA (variable pulse) version. MOPA lasers increase versatility and produce high-quality results on a wider range of materials.
MOPA lasers have the same advantages as traditional fiber lasers, namely:
♦ Zero maintenance
♦ Durability
♦ Air cooling
MOPA fiber laser engraving systems also have additional advantages for laser marking on plastics and on metals.
They can produce colored markings on steel and black markings on anodized aluminum.
Laser marks from a MOPA source is less prone to corrosion due to limited heat transmission, and the laser engraved edges have fewer burns.
MOPA lasers produce high-contrast laser marks on plastic. The control of the pulse duration means more uniform, burn-free laser marking.
MOPA lasers meet the quality, production, esthetic, and safety standards required by the automotive, hydraulics, home appliance and medical industries.
However, traditional fiber lasers still produce very high-quality marks on natural aluminum or die-castings.
