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Laser-Marking 2D Barcodes: Usability and Permanency

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:26 pm

In a world in which unmarked or unidentified material is quite often lost to another’s ownership, the ability to label one‘s owned material becomes increasingly important. This practice is especially important in business and industry; however, it can be just as applicable in home situations as well. Two very important concepts must be considered in all situations, though—what type of material is being identified, and how permanent must the label be?

This point is exactly where the significance of laser-marking 2-dimensional codes lies. Laser-marking is a technology raised from the necessity of marking previously unidentifiable materials permanently. This method of ID satisfies the traditional means of accreditation (item data registration, organization and accountability, and benefit presentation) yet goes a step further—enabling identification of new materials in an irremovable manner.

2D laser codes enable part and whole traceability by etching or engraving part numbers or serial numbers onto parts. Once labeled, the parts can then be tracked by reading the 2D code with a coordinating 2D part scanner. The 2D code is marked directly into the surface of metals and other hard substances and utilizes fine engraving techniques for part numbers, serial numbers, manufacturer information, as well as warehouse holding. Once etched, the 2D code can be read repeatedly, even if it is partially damaged.

2D codes add a degree of security thus far unparalleled in business, industry, and in-home labeling. This system has great advantages over traditional bar codes in terms of readability and utilization. A way now exists to mark virtually any surface permanently—2D laser-marking.

UID Labels & Plates

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 5:26 pm

When you are looking for the very best in UID Labels & Plates, you don’t have to look any further than Identisys. We specialise in UID, or “Unique Item Identification” technology, and always get the job done right. If you’re not familiar with the term, and your company or service uses any sorts of items, then you should definitely consider using UID to track your assets. It can help to enforce loss prevention, and can help with inventory tracking and with asset identification.

By applying UID Labels & Plates to pieces of your products, your manufacturing parts, or other important assets that your company handles, you can save time on tracking and identification. And as we all know, time is money. In addition to this benefit, you can be part of the larger UID initiative. Utilising these labels or plates on your product will help to ensure that other users of the UID system will be able to easily understand data and information about your products.

We have many different UID solutions, each custom tailored to meet the needs of specific clients, from the small business all the way up to large corporations. So what are you waiting for? Let Identisys help you with our excellent UID Labels & Plates services today!

ID Plates–Implementation and Implication

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:25 pm

Identification of owned material is an important concept in today’s industry. The practice of utilizing ID plates in identification has three main purposes: (1) assimilation of item data in registry, (2) item organization and liability, and (3) increased benefit presentation and lifecycle administration. With these three advantages, the product owner is better able to identify future upgrades and recalls, manage product changes, and, most importantly, track stolen, shipping, or lost goods.

ID plates provide various forms of information, such as manufacturer, supplier, warehouse, program management office, and/or involved third parties, for those involved with the product. These classifications enable the practices as listed above, which all revolve around the tracking or following the transport of items. Included on the plate is the item serialization as well as production identification to ensure authenticity as well, which guarantees accurate item tracking also—important especially in high quality items as computers, printers, fax machines, monitors, scanners, phones, copiers, other electronic equipment as well as machinery and mechanical operation systems.

Although identification plates have different applications within different realms of use—product inventory within business, item insurance within the home, and product numbering within industry, the practice is equally as useful throughout all. Marking items and the components of each facilitates proper shipping, handling, identifying, and tracking. Many companies have various methods of ID; however, plates are the most utilized and employ the greatest amount of information in tracking and identification. ID plates can be considered one of the most cost-effective preclusion, anti-burglary, resurgence, and inventory tracking inventions.

CO2, nd:YAG & Fiber lasers – which is right for me?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:24 pm

With so many options on laser marking systems available today it is not surprising that many people get confused with which is the most suitable to their application. Many people don’t even know that the term “laser”, is actually an acronym – Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation – which explains the process by which a laser beam is created. The basic theory of this is simple. A gain medium (the material that is used to create the laser light), is excited using either light or electrical energy to generate photons (the laser light). All of this is happening in a closed cavity, with a completely reflective mirror at one end, and a semi reflective one at the other. When the light bouncing around inside gains enough energy, it escapes through the semi-reflective mirror.

These high energy photons are then focused to a small spot (much like you did at school when you used a magnifying glass to focus the sunlight to burn things!). If it is a vector laser, this beam is deflected and directed using a pair of mirrors (X and Y deflection). This guide will help you understand the capabilities of the 3 most common lasers available in the market today:

  • A CO2 laser: the Carbon Dioxide gas sealed inside the laser (along with some other gases – most commonly nitrogen, and helium) is pumped (excited / heated up) using electrical energy (DC, AC or RF) which creates the stream of photons.
  • An Nd:YAG laser: the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) is pumped using a lamp or diode to emit the stream of photons.
  • A Fiber laser: a glass fiber doped with a rare earth ion – most commonly ytterbium (Yb3+) – is diode pumped and the photons generated are reflected down the fiber towards the deflecting mirrors.

What are the differences?

The basic differences between the nd:YAG / Fiber and CO2 Lasers is the wavelength of the beam that it produces. The light emitted from a laser sits within the Invisible Light – Infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.  

The light of the YAG and fiber lasers are emitted at a wavelength that is precisely 10 times smaller (1.064 µm) than that of a CO2 laser(10.6 µm).

This smaller wavelength also means that if the Nd:YAG/Fiber and CO2 lasers were used in the same application (with the same set-up). The Nd:YAG/Fiber would have a much smaller spot size and consequently, mark with a better resolution.

What difference does this make?

These wavelengths determine which laser should be used for each application, as the material to be marked will have different absorption capabilities (of the light at different wavelengths). If a material can absorb the light, then it can be affected by it.

Which one should I use for metal?

Most metals are highly reflective and therefore, an Nd:YAG or Fiber laser would be most suited.The wavelength being much shorter means there will be less reflection of the beam on the surface, therefore less loss of energy and consequently easier working of the metal. The metal absorbs more of the light energy that changes its physical properties.

Which one should I use for non – metal?

Organic materials such as wood, acrylics, plastics, fabrics, and transparent objects are better suited to the CO2 as the wavelength is longer and has more latitude. However the Nd:YAG and Fiber lasers can be used to mark some non-metals too. But if the object is transparent (eg. glass) then the YAG / Fiber laser light will pass through it without marking it.

Material

YAG laser marker

CO2 laser marker

Plastic

○

○

Metal

○

○

(Stainless steel only)

Transparent object (glass, plastic)

×

○

Ceramic

○

○

Laser markers can produce alpha-numeric characters, bar codes, serial numbers, logo’s, artwork and other graphic images using a non-contact thermal process.

Is there an easy way of knowing which would be most suitable?

Ideally, a sample of the material would have to be tested , but generally think of CO2 for Organic and YAG and its derivatives (Fiber, nd:YAG .. etc) for Non Organic materials.

Okay, I have decided to go for either an nd:YAG or Fiber laser, what are the differences??

  • The nd:YAG uses a lamp or a diode pack (array) to excite the gain medium – these require more electrical power and wear out (and are very costly to replace). They, also produce a lot of heat and require more heat dissipation (some water cooled – most now use heat-sinks and thermo-electric cooling systems)
  • The fiber lasers use many single emitter diodes that are cheaper to run, and will last the lifetime of the fiber. The mean time before failure is greater than 50,000hrs
  • The fiber laser is more stable at all power levels.
  • The light source with a fiber is completely sealed all the way to the marking head. This stops dust and particle contamination and enables longer working distances between the control unit and marking head. It also reduces any leakage and therefore increases the efficiency of the laser beam.
  • The fiber laser “boots up” a lot quicker.
  • The fiber laser has less replacement parts (such as resonator mirrors, crystals, fluids and filters)

Traceability in Aerospace – Important or A Must!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:21 pm

Permanent traceability of all parts used in vehicles used to transport humans  is a must!

Any component that has a life limited use, such as Gas Turbine Engine Components, should be marked with both a Serial Number and a Part Number. The use of these markings is extremely important within the Aviation industry to ensure that every component that has been assembled onto the Engine has an attached history. This history will prevent anyone from using a component, that has been through a tremendous amount of stress or damage.With the lives of two hundred or more at risk, minimal part failure must be ensured. In this Industry permanent traceability is a must.

Furthermore, when part marking the components used within the Aircrafts, the structural integrity must not be affected, regardless of the size of the mark. Laser marking using chemical bonding is the preferred choice within the industry, as it marks the part without affecting its mechanical properties.

In other areas of life permanent traceability would be considered very important, if not a must. Take for example weaponry, by having serial numbers permanently marked onto guns they can be sourced throughout their lifetime, from point of manufacture to point of sale. This can aid with crime, whereby a murderer can be tracked down by identifying where he / she purchased the weapon, which could help put a grieving family at ease. Television sets, Radios, DVD Players and other electronics with these markings would make the black market a little less feasible place for crooks to do business, as the authorities could quickly track down the rightful owners.

Many consider traceability important but by looking a little deeper into the facts of just a couple of facets of everyday life. One can easily see that such a simple gesture is saving and will continue to save thousands of lives each year.

Electronics and laser marking

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:20 pm

Laser marking is a process describing a wide range of electronic laser equipment and techniques used to permanently label nearly any type of material. Depending on the class and strength of the laser, materials such as paper, wood, plastic, glass, metal, integrated circuit chips, printed circuit boards and, semiconductor wafers can be safely and permanently marked. It’s a quick and easy method of inscribing information such as logos, art, dates, bar codes, serial numbers, on products and parts.

All laser marking involves using the power of a laser to permanently modify the surface of solid in a controlled way without any risk of damage to the overall integrity of the product being marked. Depending on the strength of the laser and the material being inscribed, the process employs techniques that include: laser engraving, laser chemical bonding, etching, very slight burning or mild bleaching for plastics.

The laser marking process has a host of advantages over other marking methods:

  • Relatively modest start-up investment.
  • No continuing expenses for consumables.
  • Suitable for under very high operating speeds and are easily customized to fit a variety of automated manufacturing  or distribution situations.
  • The process is immune to marking rub-off or deterioration when compared to a process such as inkjet printing.
  • The lasers marking process is extremely safe and easy to use and produces no toxic byproducts.
  • Most laser marking machines can adapt to a wide variety of materials and surfaces and shapes.

Types of Indelible Laser Markings

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:20 pm

Lasers can be used to create indelible marks on a variety of materials. The markings are often used for identification purposes such as marking products with logos, parts numbers or bar codes, where the permanent mark is required to act as a theft deterrent or prevent counterfeiting. Laser marking can also be used for decorative etching or for applying consumer identification notations.

Indelible laser markings can be created on glass, metal and plastic materials. The type of marking used depends on the material type and the type of texture effect desired.

Laser engraving is the process of creating a depth marking on a piece using a high-intensity light at a specific wavelength. Engraved markings leave a textured finish with a brush or sanded type finish. This type of marking can be used on glass, plastic and metal surfaces.

Foaming is the process of creating a raised marking on certain types of plastics. The laser melts the plastic causing it to rise above the work piece’s surface where it hardens leaving a raised, textured marking.

Annealing or tempering is used on metals to create a flat imprint marking that is level with the surface. The metal is heated with a low-density laser which creates a black marking similar to an ink marking.

Ablation or removal is a laser marking process where surface layers of paint, plating or other type of material coating are removed. Often the paint is applied in multi-colored layers which are revealed through the laser marking process. This type of indelible marking creates high contrast markings with depth and can be used on plastic, metal or glass surfaces.

Engrave high resolution graphics and text using lasers

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:19 pm

Laser engraving is not only useful, it’s a fascinating process. The laser beam itself is a very small (less than a millimeter in size) stream of very intense light. As the light passes over an item, its intense energy heats the surface which then either vaporizes a shallow gully into the material or fractures it, creating a mark. A wide variety of surfaces can be engraved, such as plastic, wood, metal, stone, glass, or enamel, although a relatively flat surface yields the best results.

A computer controls the movements of the light beam and/or the surface to be engraved, which yields very precise results. Due to the tiny diameter of the laser beam’s focal point and the extraordinary accuracy of the technology’s movement, graphic or text engravings are generally limited in quality only by the artwork they are reproducing and the quality of the engraving surface.

Engraving is used in a variety of applications, such as placing identifying marks such as barcodes onto items, personalizing trophies, plaques or gift items, or adding a logo/tagline to promotional items. Even photos can be reproduced as engravings.

Laser engraving can also be performed below an item’s surface level via a relatively new technology known as sub surface laser engraving (SSLE), which is executed on clear materials such as crystal or glass. What makes this technology most useful is that a three dimensional image can be recreated. It is most commonly used to reproduce 3-d images of people or scenes as souvenir items.

Permanent laser marking

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:18 pm

Laser marking is a very convenient, fast, and safe way of creating permanent markings on a variety of materials such as wood, metals, glass, plastics, ceramics, silicon, rubber, even on plated or anodized materials. The surfaces can be flat, curved, or shaped any other way. Permanent laser marking can even be done on materials and surfaces that are normally difficult to mark.

The laser machines produce a great deal of power with high quality printing. The machines can make text, numbers, symbols, logos, bar codes, graphics, and other markings.

Permanent laser marking gives clear, clean, marks that do not ever rub off. The marks are durable and flexible to withstand long-term wear and cleaning.

You can use permanent laser marking on a variety of products to meet you marking needs for personal or professional use. It is commonly used on packaging, electronics, and medical supplies and equipment.

Permanent laser marking is perfect for devices and tools that are used in the medical field due to the inability to use dyes or inks. Dyes and inks can cause allergic reactions in some patients. Medical suppliers use permanent laser marking on products such as medical hardware (implants, bone screws, and braces), microscope slides, surgical tools, pill perforation, DNA test cartridges, and patient identification tags.

Permanent laser marking saves time and creates a permanent marking that can withstand long-term use.

Laser engraving in the UK

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:17 pm

‘Laser Engraving’ is a unique process in which manufactured items such as electrical components are engraved with an indelible mark such as; serial numbers, product codes, company logo’s and traceability.

Products are branded by precision lasers using a method which stamps out the need for human or mechanical force, which in turn allows lasers to gain access and mark your company or product information in hard to reach and very small components.

There are many different materials that can be branded using ‘Laser Engraving’ techniques such as plastics and metals.

The procedure is fast and produces an indelible and easily identifiable mark on products such as microchips and circuit boards as examples.

These branded markings can be simple text or numerical codes relating to your company and product, or complex shapes, symbols and bar-coding.

The benefits for any company or manufacturer utilizing ‘Laser Engraving’, is vital security and product markings that can be traced in circumstances such as theft and manufacturing or printing fraud. This method of security is more than important in a high tech world that can see products and ideas stolen for criminal gain.

The process has been backed by the Metropolitan Police in London as part of the ongoing anti-crime campaign ‘Project Genesius’ that is in place to help stamp out crime against the printing industry.

The importance of ‘Laser Engraving’ is recognized in large and small industry all over the world as a vital, secure and a cost effective method of reliable product coding, traceability and security.

Older Posts »

Laser-Marking 2D Barcodes: Usability and Permanency

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:26 pm

In a world in which unmarked or unidentified material is quite often lost to another’s ownership, the ability to label one‘s owned material becomes increasingly important. This practice is especially important in business and industry; however, it can be just as applicable in home situations as well. Two very important concepts must be considered in all situations, though—what type of material is being identified, and how permanent must the label be?

This point is exactly where the significance of laser-marking 2-dimensional codes lies. Laser-marking is a technology raised from the necessity of marking previously unidentifiable materials permanently. This method of ID satisfies the traditional means of accreditation (item data registration, organization and accountability, and benefit presentation) yet goes a step further—enabling identification of new materials in an irremovable manner.

2D laser codes enable part and whole traceability by etching or engraving part numbers or serial numbers onto parts. Once labeled, the parts can then be tracked by reading the 2D code with a coordinating 2D part scanner. The 2D code is marked directly into the surface of metals and other hard substances and utilizes fine engraving techniques for part numbers, serial numbers, manufacturer information, as well as warehouse holding. Once etched, the 2D code can be read repeatedly, even if it is partially damaged.

2D codes add a degree of security thus far unparalleled in business, industry, and in-home labeling. This system has great advantages over traditional bar codes in terms of readability and utilization. A way now exists to mark virtually any surface permanently—2D laser-marking.

Comments Off

UID Labels & Plates

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 5:26 pm

When you are looking for the very best in UID Labels & Plates, you don’t have to look any further than Identisys. We specialise in UID, or “Unique Item Identification” technology, and always get the job done right. If you’re not familiar with the term, and your company or service uses any sorts of items, then you should definitely consider using UID to track your assets. It can help to enforce loss prevention, and can help with inventory tracking and with asset identification.

By applying UID Labels & Plates to pieces of your products, your manufacturing parts, or other important assets that your company handles, you can save time on tracking and identification. And as we all know, time is money. In addition to this benefit, you can be part of the larger UID initiative. Utilising these labels or plates on your product will help to ensure that other users of the UID system will be able to easily understand data and information about your products.

We have many different UID solutions, each custom tailored to meet the needs of specific clients, from the small business all the way up to large corporations. So what are you waiting for? Let Identisys help you with our excellent UID Labels & Plates services today!

Comments Off

ID Plates–Implementation and Implication

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:25 pm

Identification of owned material is an important concept in today’s industry. The practice of utilizing ID plates in identification has three main purposes: (1) assimilation of item data in registry, (2) item organization and liability, and (3) increased benefit presentation and lifecycle administration. With these three advantages, the product owner is better able to identify future upgrades and recalls, manage product changes, and, most importantly, track stolen, shipping, or lost goods.

ID plates provide various forms of information, such as manufacturer, supplier, warehouse, program management office, and/or involved third parties, for those involved with the product. These classifications enable the practices as listed above, which all revolve around the tracking or following the transport of items. Included on the plate is the item serialization as well as production identification to ensure authenticity as well, which guarantees accurate item tracking also—important especially in high quality items as computers, printers, fax machines, monitors, scanners, phones, copiers, other electronic equipment as well as machinery and mechanical operation systems.

Although identification plates have different applications within different realms of use—product inventory within business, item insurance within the home, and product numbering within industry, the practice is equally as useful throughout all. Marking items and the components of each facilitates proper shipping, handling, identifying, and tracking. Many companies have various methods of ID; however, plates are the most utilized and employ the greatest amount of information in tracking and identification. ID plates can be considered one of the most cost-effective preclusion, anti-burglary, resurgence, and inventory tracking inventions.

Comments Off

CO2, nd:YAG & Fiber lasers – which is right for me?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:24 pm

With so many options on laser marking systems available today it is not surprising that many people get confused with which is the most suitable to their application. Many people don’t even know that the term “laser”, is actually an acronym – Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation – which explains the process by which a laser beam is created. The basic theory of this is simple. A gain medium (the material that is used to create the laser light), is excited using either light or electrical energy to generate photons (the laser light). All of this is happening in a closed cavity, with a completely reflective mirror at one end, and a semi reflective one at the other. When the light bouncing around inside gains enough energy, it escapes through the semi-reflective mirror.

These high energy photons are then focused to a small spot (much like you did at school when you used a magnifying glass to focus the sunlight to burn things!). If it is a vector laser, this beam is deflected and directed using a pair of mirrors (X and Y deflection). This guide will help you understand the capabilities of the 3 most common lasers available in the market today:

What are the differences?

The basic differences between the nd:YAG / Fiber and CO2 Lasers is the wavelength of the beam that it produces. The light emitted from a laser sits within the Invisible Light – Infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.  

The light of the YAG and fiber lasers are emitted at a wavelength that is precisely 10 times smaller (1.064 µm) than that of a CO2 laser(10.6 µm).

This smaller wavelength also means that if the Nd:YAG/Fiber and CO2 lasers were used in the same application (with the same set-up). The Nd:YAG/Fiber would have a much smaller spot size and consequently, mark with a better resolution.

What difference does this make?

These wavelengths determine which laser should be used for each application, as the material to be marked will have different absorption capabilities (of the light at different wavelengths). If a material can absorb the light, then it can be affected by it.

Which one should I use for metal?

Most metals are highly reflective and therefore, an Nd:YAG or Fiber laser would be most suited.The wavelength being much shorter means there will be less reflection of the beam on the surface, therefore less loss of energy and consequently easier working of the metal. The metal absorbs more of the light energy that changes its physical properties.

Which one should I use for non – metal?

Organic materials such as wood, acrylics, plastics, fabrics, and transparent objects are better suited to the CO2 as the wavelength is longer and has more latitude. However the Nd:YAG and Fiber lasers can be used to mark some non-metals too. But if the object is transparent (eg. glass) then the YAG / Fiber laser light will pass through it without marking it.

Material

YAG laser marker

CO2 laser marker

Plastic

○

○

Metal

○

○

(Stainless steel only)

Transparent object (glass, plastic)

×

○

Ceramic

○

○

Laser markers can produce alpha-numeric characters, bar codes, serial numbers, logo’s, artwork and other graphic images using a non-contact thermal process.

Is there an easy way of knowing which would be most suitable?

Ideally, a sample of the material would have to be tested , but generally think of CO2 for Organic and YAG and its derivatives (Fiber, nd:YAG .. etc) for Non Organic materials.

Okay, I have decided to go for either an nd:YAG or Fiber laser, what are the differences??

Comments Off

Traceability in Aerospace – Important or A Must!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:21 pm

Permanent traceability of all parts used in vehicles used to transport humans  is a must!

Any component that has a life limited use, such as Gas Turbine Engine Components, should be marked with both a Serial Number and a Part Number. The use of these markings is extremely important within the Aviation industry to ensure that every component that has been assembled onto the Engine has an attached history. This history will prevent anyone from using a component, that has been through a tremendous amount of stress or damage.With the lives of two hundred or more at risk, minimal part failure must be ensured. In this Industry permanent traceability is a must.

Furthermore, when part marking the components used within the Aircrafts, the structural integrity must not be affected, regardless of the size of the mark. Laser marking using chemical bonding is the preferred choice within the industry, as it marks the part without affecting its mechanical properties.

In other areas of life permanent traceability would be considered very important, if not a must. Take for example weaponry, by having serial numbers permanently marked onto guns they can be sourced throughout their lifetime, from point of manufacture to point of sale. This can aid with crime, whereby a murderer can be tracked down by identifying where he / she purchased the weapon, which could help put a grieving family at ease. Television sets, Radios, DVD Players and other electronics with these markings would make the black market a little less feasible place for crooks to do business, as the authorities could quickly track down the rightful owners.

Many consider traceability important but by looking a little deeper into the facts of just a couple of facets of everyday life. One can easily see that such a simple gesture is saving and will continue to save thousands of lives each year.

Comments Off

Electronics and laser marking

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:20 pm

Laser marking is a process describing a wide range of electronic laser equipment and techniques used to permanently label nearly any type of material. Depending on the class and strength of the laser, materials such as paper, wood, plastic, glass, metal, integrated circuit chips, printed circuit boards and, semiconductor wafers can be safely and permanently marked. It’s a quick and easy method of inscribing information such as logos, art, dates, bar codes, serial numbers, on products and parts.

All laser marking involves using the power of a laser to permanently modify the surface of solid in a controlled way without any risk of damage to the overall integrity of the product being marked. Depending on the strength of the laser and the material being inscribed, the process employs techniques that include: laser engraving, laser chemical bonding, etching, very slight burning or mild bleaching for plastics.

The laser marking process has a host of advantages over other marking methods:

Comments Off

Types of Indelible Laser Markings

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:20 pm

Lasers can be used to create indelible marks on a variety of materials. The markings are often used for identification purposes such as marking products with logos, parts numbers or bar codes, where the permanent mark is required to act as a theft deterrent or prevent counterfeiting. Laser marking can also be used for decorative etching or for applying consumer identification notations.

Indelible laser markings can be created on glass, metal and plastic materials. The type of marking used depends on the material type and the type of texture effect desired.

Laser engraving is the process of creating a depth marking on a piece using a high-intensity light at a specific wavelength. Engraved markings leave a textured finish with a brush or sanded type finish. This type of marking can be used on glass, plastic and metal surfaces.

Foaming is the process of creating a raised marking on certain types of plastics. The laser melts the plastic causing it to rise above the work piece’s surface where it hardens leaving a raised, textured marking.

Annealing or tempering is used on metals to create a flat imprint marking that is level with the surface. The metal is heated with a low-density laser which creates a black marking similar to an ink marking.

Ablation or removal is a laser marking process where surface layers of paint, plating or other type of material coating are removed. Often the paint is applied in multi-colored layers which are revealed through the laser marking process. This type of indelible marking creates high contrast markings with depth and can be used on plastic, metal or glass surfaces.

Comments Off

Engrave high resolution graphics and text using lasers

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:19 pm

Laser engraving is not only useful, it’s a fascinating process. The laser beam itself is a very small (less than a millimeter in size) stream of very intense light. As the light passes over an item, its intense energy heats the surface which then either vaporizes a shallow gully into the material or fractures it, creating a mark. A wide variety of surfaces can be engraved, such as plastic, wood, metal, stone, glass, or enamel, although a relatively flat surface yields the best results.

A computer controls the movements of the light beam and/or the surface to be engraved, which yields very precise results. Due to the tiny diameter of the laser beam’s focal point and the extraordinary accuracy of the technology’s movement, graphic or text engravings are generally limited in quality only by the artwork they are reproducing and the quality of the engraving surface.

Engraving is used in a variety of applications, such as placing identifying marks such as barcodes onto items, personalizing trophies, plaques or gift items, or adding a logo/tagline to promotional items. Even photos can be reproduced as engravings.

Laser engraving can also be performed below an item’s surface level via a relatively new technology known as sub surface laser engraving (SSLE), which is executed on clear materials such as crystal or glass. What makes this technology most useful is that a three dimensional image can be recreated. It is most commonly used to reproduce 3-d images of people or scenes as souvenir items.

Comments Off

Permanent laser marking

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 5:18 pm

Laser marking is a very convenient, fast, and safe way of creating permanent markings on a variety of materials such as wood, metals, glass, plastics, ceramics, silicon, rubber, even on plated or anodized materials. The surfaces can be flat, curved, or shaped any other way. Permanent laser marking can even be done on materials and surfaces that are normally difficult to mark.

The laser machines produce a great deal of power with high quality printing. The machines can make text, numbers, symbols, logos, bar codes, graphics, and other markings.

Permanent laser marking gives clear, clean, marks that do not ever rub off. The marks are durable and flexible to withstand long-term wear and cleaning.

You can use permanent laser marking on a variety of products to meet you marking needs for personal or professional use. It is commonly used on packaging, electronics, and medical supplies and equipment.

Permanent laser marking is perfect for devices and tools that are used in the medical field due to the inability to use dyes or inks. Dyes and inks can cause allergic reactions in some patients. Medical suppliers use permanent laser marking on products such as medical hardware (implants, bone screws, and braces), microscope slides, surgical tools, pill perforation, DNA test cartridges, and patient identification tags.

Permanent laser marking saves time and creates a permanent marking that can withstand long-term use.

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Laser engraving in the UK

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‘Laser Engraving’ is a unique process in which manufactured items such as electrical components are engraved with an indelible mark such as; serial numbers, product codes, company logo’s and traceability.

Products are branded by precision lasers using a method which stamps out the need for human or mechanical force, which in turn allows lasers to gain access and mark your company or product information in hard to reach and very small components.

There are many different materials that can be branded using ‘Laser Engraving’ techniques such as plastics and metals.

The procedure is fast and produces an indelible and easily identifiable mark on products such as microchips and circuit boards as examples.

These branded markings can be simple text or numerical codes relating to your company and product, or complex shapes, symbols and bar-coding.

The benefits for any company or manufacturer utilizing ‘Laser Engraving’, is vital security and product markings that can be traced in circumstances such as theft and manufacturing or printing fraud. This method of security is more than important in a high tech world that can see products and ideas stolen for criminal gain.

The process has been backed by the Metropolitan Police in London as part of the ongoing anti-crime campaign ‘Project Genesius’ that is in place to help stamp out crime against the printing industry.

The importance of ‘Laser Engraving’ is recognized in large and small industry all over the world as a vital, secure and a cost effective method of reliable product coding, traceability and security.

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