Laser Engraving – one of the novel ways of engraving surfaces

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, nd:YAG Lasers — admin @ 2:14 pm

You would be astonished to know that of the many items being laser engraved today, laptops and iPods rank among the highest. Not only this, laser engraving is also being used in a variety of applications and industries, such as medical device, aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, and electronic.

Laser engraving is a technique that is used to engrave, mark or etch any object. It has significantly changed the way products are embossed. Laser engraving’s viable and versatile technology is being used by many engravers to improve productivity, add more services for their customers, and increase their profits. Laser engraving is much more popular than other engraving procedures because the results offered by it are very clean and precise.

Engraving with a laser is actually a simple process. The machine which is used for laser engraving comprises of three main parts: laser, controller, and surface. The laser emits the laser beam and the patterns are traced by the controller onto the surface.

Laser can engrave most materials. Some of the most popular materials in the engraving fields are wood, coated metals, acrylic, leather, glass, marble, plastic, and a host of synthetic materials. Woodwork which is considered as a very beautiful and famous art is carried out with the help of laser engraving. Also, acrylic plastics and plastic sheets of soft drink bottles are engraved by laser. Diamonds get their shine with the process of laser engraving. Not only can this, with the help of laser engraving coatings be removed from metal.

Laser engraving has resulted in very novel ways of engraving surfaces which in ordinary circumstances would be hard to engrave, for instance glass. The reason for this is simple. The laser beam is very flexible and agile and thus there is no limit to the designs that can be engraved on a surface.

There are numerous advantages of using a laser over other methods of engraving. First, laser engraving tools are a beam of light, there is no product contact, resulting in lesser chances of product damage or deformation. Second, there are no consumables for laser engraving; hence the operating costs are minimal. Third, if used properly, the laser engraving system runs clean, thus eliminating the cleanup cost.

There are many companies that offer laser engraving. These companies have well laid down procedures for their work and offer very precise and clean engravings at record speeds. One of the most renowned names in offering laser engraving is identisys. Please visit www.identisys.co.uk for more details.

Why Laser Marking? Advantages of Laser Marking

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, nd:YAG Lasers — admin @ 2:13 pm

Laser marking is a technique that enhances the monetary and esthetical value of products by making them look more eye catching and easily visible. Other than this, laser marking is also used as a way of permanently marking an item for tracking its security and quality. Rather than using a vibrating or rotating tool to engrave a mark on the products, a high-powered laser is used. Laser marking is done by expert professionals who make use of the latest and most advanced engraving methodologies to ensure that the marking is contact free and tamper proof.

Laser marking has long been a preferred tool for making precise and artistic markings on objects. The reasons why people choose laser marking over methods like making marking by hand or other forms of radiation are:

Accuracy: A laser beam is just a few microns thick and thus these is no better instrument for making fine markings on areas where precision is absolutely necessary. This is the reason why laser marking is used on things like glassware, barcodes, medical implements, backlit keyboards and various others.

Speed: Laser markings can be made very fast. All one needs to do is programme a design into a laser machine and the design can be reproduced in a matter of seconds. The same design if reproduced by humans would require a hundred times that duration.

Repeatability: Laser marking reproduces the exact replica of the required designs. Designs like watermarks, logos, and barcodes are all security information, and producing the exact requirements of all of the designs is a must for security purposes. This is where laser markings help people get error free designs.

Environmentally Friendly: An added benefit of laser marking is environmental. Since laser marking makes no use of inks or solvents, the impact on the environment is very minimal.

Laser marking on metals is best accomplished by a 20 watt pulsed fibre laser. On the other hand, the fibre laser marking systems can engrave to depths of .005″. Also, the fibre laser marking can be adjusted to make a smooth anneal mark that just darkens the material being marked. CO2 Lasers are used for marking, engraving, and cutting wood, plastic and other organic materials.

There are a host of companies that offer laser markings. Most of the laser marking companies offer laser marking and engraving on nonmetal as well. These companies make use of modern laser machines for achieving precision and ensuring that their task is completed in the optimum time.

One of the most renowned companies that offer laser markings is identisys. For more information about the company, please visit the site www.identisys.co.uk.

Engraving Methods

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, metal plate embossing, nd:YAG Lasers — admin @ 3:19 pm

There comes a time where you need a metal plate or various other types of material engraved with some sort of information. It could be for anything from identifying and marking your tools to a trophy placard and everything in between. Engraving is used by several industries and homeowners alike.

Why engraving? There is a certain permanence that comes with this form of marking. It will not fade away or melt off and it’s a method that will make sure your information is there to stay. This process has been in use for centuries on end.

Older methods made use of engraving and chemical etchings on metal plates to produce images on paper. The chemical process of engraving is much more time consuming and has been replaced by photography. Even further back in history we have people using handheld engraving tools. We have come a very long way in this process.

Today, the most popular method of engraving is done with high powered lasers. These systems range from desktop sized applications to almost as big as a one car garage. Lasers can mark anything from metal to crystal and is by far the most versatile method ever used.

There is also a quick and economic means of engraving and that would be the use of a high speed rotary tool. If you need to mark your shop tools or other objects for identification, you could buy an electrical handheld engraving tool and save yourself time and money. These can be found in your local big box tool stores and in arts and crafts stores as well. There’s still something to be said for low cost solutions, if that will work for you and your task. Save the laser for something really special as there are plenty of creative uses for this technology.

It’s plain to see there is a wide variety for meeting your engraving requirements. You can be as low tech or high tech about the task as you and your bank account want to be. So determine your needs and how much you can budget for the project and head to your favorite search engine to explore what’s available.

The benefits of replacing linear barcodes with 2D Codes

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, nd:YAG Lasers — admin @ 3:11 pm

Why Should You Replace Linear Barcodes With 2D Codes?

In information technology, the storage and retrieval of information is the primary concern. The amount of data a given physical device is able to store depends on the design principles that went into making the device. For example, a one-dimensional barcode is a machine-readable representation of data. The one-dimensional, or 1D, barcode is capable of storing information up to a certain point. This is because a 1D barcode, also called a linear barcode, represents data as straight lines of varying width. This allows only a limited amount of information storage.

A two-dimensional barcode, also called 2D or a matrix code, is capable of representing a lot more data because the number of dimensions has been doubled. A matrix code represents data across both length and width of the barcode; a portable database of information, in other words. Matrix codes are mostly used for the identification of technological products, like computers, cell phones and wireless routers. Since the inception of matrix codes, 20 different designs have been registered and implemented. Special scanners are required to read matrix codes; the scanning beam moves sideways across the code, rather than simply reading the code horizontally, as with 1D codes.

There are many different matrix code standards. Some of the most common ones are:

- PDF 417: This arrangement can store information that is 2000 characters long; that is several sentences worth of data about a product or service. PDF stands for Portable Data File, and since the storage capacity is so huge, many times external databases are not required. This makes PDF 417 great for health care, identification, and logistics and retail.

- DataMatrix: Like PDF 417, a DataMatrix code can also store up to 2000 characters. DataMatrix is a square symbol that can be as long as fourteen inches. Circuit boards, high-quality lenses and surgical instruments are usually encoded using these matrices.

- MaxiCode: This arrangement can only store 93 characters worth of information. This arrangement has a distinct symbol; a bull’s eye in the center surrounded by hexagonal rows. It is much beloved by United Parcel Service because it can quickly be scanned while the code is moving on a conveyor belt.

2D Datamatrix Codes

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, Uncategorized, metal plate embossing, nd:YAG Lasers — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 4:09 pm

2 D Datamatrix Codes, what’s so special about them, and how are they better than the “standard” ones?

We are all familiar with 1 Dimensional barcodes, more commonly known as linear barcodes. It is simply a machine readable form of data, and is commonly used on products to allow automated registry when scanned at checkout systems. Linear barcodes have a maximum capacity of about 20 to 25 numeric characters, and the information contained within them helps retailers keep tracks of the number of items in store. It also hinders shoplifting (since it is harder to switch the price tags of higher to lower priced items).

The Linear 1D Barcode

As the name suggests, 2D barcodes can encode information in 2 dimensions. These can be a series of linear barcodes stacked on top of each other (as shown in the image below).

The stacked linear barcodes


Or the more popular form, a 2D matrix, which holds dots in an array that is much more compact than the stacked 1D barcodes. This array consists of black and white “cells” or modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. As the information is held in more than 1 dimension, a different reader would be required to decode the information. However, they can hold a lot more information when compared to the traditional linear barcodes, and even if the code is partially damaged, it can still be read (unlike the 1D, linear barcodes).

The MaxiCode Label

UPS make good use of its large storage capabilities in their sorting offices. The MaxiCode Label holds all of the relevant destination information ready to be scanned by the couriers.

The 2D Datamatrix code

The 2D datamatrix code is the most common type of 2D matrix code. Its small size makes it the preferred choice by most manufacturing industries. 50 character codes can fit within a 2 to 3 mm² area, and read with a contrast as low as 20%! (Some silicon electronics applications have laser etched codes as small as 300 micrometers!)

A four segment Datamatrix.

Data Matrix symbols are made up of modules arranged within a perimeter finder and timing pattern, which can encode up to 3,116 characters from the entire ASCII character set, with extensions (all of the numbers, letters (uppercase and lowercase) and symbols on your keyboard).

I thought barcodes and 2D codes could only be used in retail applications?

Quite the contrary, the applications can be as varied as the applications. For example, if you were to use the 2D codes on identification plates around a production plant. The code could simply contain all of the readable text and numbers on the plate. In this instance, the 2D code could be used for quick logging or updating records using a 2D scanner. Sometimes it is not possible to include all of the information onto the plate, so the further information can be encoded into the 2D code. However, in some instances the information needs to be secure, and not visible unless scanned. The 2D code can be encrypted with a PIN number, that must be entered before the information can be read.

Many industries are moving towards Datamatrix codes to improve traceability, the pharmaceutical and aeroscpace industries are the quickest adopters due to the high quality control standards and the emergence of black markets with counterfeit parts. Datamatrix codes can hold the components details, manufacturer ID, part number, and a unique serial number.

The applications for datamatrix codes do not end there. The ability to decode any alphanumeric information means that website addresses can be stored within the codes, linking the reader / decoder to specific website addresses or intranets with internal, classified information. Most of the latest mobile phones have cameras within them, which (with the use of a free downloaded application) can be used to decode 2D datamatrix codes. This allows the user to scan the code, and access the relevant website via their mobile. This opens up the possibilities for “further reading” of artifacts in museums, artist details in galleries, or the genealogy of plants in botanical gardens.

Engraving Methods

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, metal plate embossing, nd:YAG Lasers — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 2:37 pm

here comes a time where you need a metal plate or various other types of material engraved with some sort of information. It could be for anything from identifying and marking your tools to a trophy placard and everything in between. Engraving is used by several industries and homeowners alike.

Why engraving? There is a certain permanence that comes with this form of marking. It will not fade away or melt off and it’s a method that will make sure your information is there to stay. This process has been in use for centuries on end.

Older methods made use of engraving and chemical etchings on metal plates to produce images on paper. The chemical process of engraving is much more time consuming and has been replaced by photography. Even further back in history we have people using handheld engraving tools. We have come a very long way in this process.

Today, the most popular method of engraving is done with high powered lasers. These systems range from desktop sized applications to almost as big as a one car garage. Lasers can mark anything from metal to crystal and is by far the most versatile method ever used.

There is also a quick and economic means of engraving and that would be the use of a high speed rotary tool. If you need to mark your shop tools or other objects for identification, you could buy an electrical handheld engraving tool and save yourself time and money. These can be found in your local big box tool stores and in arts and crafts stores as well. There’s still something to be said for low cost solutions, if that will work for you and your task. Save the laser for something really special as there are plenty of creative uses for this technology.

It’s plain to see there is a wide variety for meeting your engraving requirements. You can be as low tech or high tech about the task as you and your bank account want to be. So determine your needs and how much you can budget for the project and head to your favorite search engine to explore what’s available.

metal engraving

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, Uncategorized, metal plate embossing, nd:YAG Lasers — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 1:52 pm

Metal engraving is a process in which a design is incised on a piece of metal using an engraving tool. This form of decorating metal has been around for five thousand years. The tools are pressed into the metal to cutting it and forming the desired design. The harder one pushes the engraving tool into the metal, the wider the mark. The correlation between dipping depth and engraving width is determined by the top angle of the tool.
Engraving tools are made out of hard steel that cuts the design onto metal surfaces such as steel plates or copper. Engraving tools are available in a variety of sizes and shapes for making different lines and marks. The three most commonly used tools are called the chisel, the graving tool (also called bulino), and the burin (also called ciapolla).
The chisel is not used for cutting, but is hammered. This does not remove any of the metal, but depresses it. A pliable support is placed underneath to prevent the metal from breaking or buckling.
Gravers are halved carbide round rods with a cutting edge. The graving tool has a wood handle making it easier to control the depth of the cut made with this sharp steel tool.
The burin is also a sharp steel tool, but comes in different shapes (lined, rounded and flat) to produce different effects.

The two most popular kinds of engraving decoration are damascening and niello.
Damascening is metal inlay in which a fine metal plate is inserted into a grove that has been made in a differently colored metal, and then is beaten in.
Niello is a mixture of silver, tin, lead, and copper that has been fused. This heated mixture is used to filled an engraving in a precious metal. After the mixture cools, the face plate is polished to bring out the semi-opaque design.
Engraving produces a unique quality of mark characterized by steady, clean edges. These lines and marks are produced by specific tools designed just for that purpose. This is a very specialized form of art with many types of materials and designs that takes years to master.

The Future of Laser Engraving

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking, nd:YAG Lasers — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:37 am

The future of laser engraving is directly influenced by the variables of materials, the types of lasers and their capabilities.

What is Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving is a technique that uses a laser to etch/mark or to engrave the surface of other objects. These marks can vary in depth and can be used to create designs in or on objects or to imprint a message. The types of lasers used depend on the material being etched. The next generation and lasers of the future will advance three-dimensional techniques, integrate with existing design programs and see the development of better multi-engraving etchers and micro-machines. In addition, laser engraving techniques of the future will begin to develop and implement green methods and practices.

How Does a Laser Engrave or Etch a Material?

Basically, a laser beam (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) is focused on a material which results in a modification of the surface and in the optical appearance of the material. The material being engraved determines the type of modification that will occur. For example, on paper, wood or cardboard the etching would occur as carbonization (burning) while the surface of a metal might be melted.

Different Types of Lasers, Their Uses and Future Applications

A few examples of how engraving lasers are currently being used include engraving/etching bar codes, 2D codes, photographs, identification tags, logos, glass doors, mirrors and to mark circuit boards and electronic equipment. Advancements in laser engraving technology to reduce material stress and vibrations are helping to expand and increase the potential for future marketable applications.

CO2 Lasers typically use low power sources to engrave plastics, paper, acrylic materials, wood, transparent objects and leather (Long wavelength applications) and use a Carbon Dioxide gas sealed chamber inside of the laser to create the laser photon stream. Generally, a CO2 laser is used for organic materials.

ND: YAG Lasers are small, affordable air cooled systems which are designed to engrave metallic materials and non organic materials. ND:YAG refers to the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet that is pumped with the use of a lamp or a diode to emit the photon stream.

Fibre Lasers, a derivative of the ND:YAG Laser (Pulse repetition rates-can emit longer pulses with lower pulse energy) commonly uses a ytterbium doped glass fiber to reflect the photons and can be used for ceramics, metals and non organic materials.

Green Practices and the Economy: Future Considerations for Laser Engraving Technology

Engraving lasers do not use ink, leave a permanent mark and are generally good for the environment.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designed to jump start the economy with a focus on restoring and building American-made innovative science technologies may benefit and encourage laser engraving technological advancements. As a result, future laser engraving technologies that focus on energy conservation, utilization of green technologies and renewable resources may be eligible for tax incentives. Also, under this act, qualifying equipment purchases may be deducted during this tax year enabling businesses to purchase or lease qualifying laser etchers.

Considerations for the development of future engraving lasers might also focus on ease of use issues and on how to minimize vibrations and material stress along with processing speed, pulse repetition rates and the quality of results.

Future laser engravers will become more compact and portable, have multiple material engraving capabilities, use minimal resources and energy and have three dimensional engraving capabilities. In order to advance, the engraving lasers of the future will also need to be capable of engraving textured surfaces, irregular shapes and be able to do multiple stages of etching, engraving and carving.

Parts Marking for Traceability

Filed under: Laser Engraving, Parts Marking — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 12:03 pm

Parts manufacturers need an effective way to keep track of what they make in the event of recalls, returns or warranties. If you are a manufacturer looking for the best way to trace your parts, there are several different systems you can consider. Choosing the right one will depend on what you produce as well as the materials used in production.

Many industries, such as automotive, aeronautical and medical, have come to prefer the laser marking system. These systems can quickly produce high quality results. They can also produce these results with lower costs because of reduced downtime and post processing as well as the elimination of consumables. A laser can mark almost any surface, and the markings such as logos, text and bar codes can be laid out in any orientation.

Some companies offer a Dot Peen Marking and Traceability system. By using a tungsten carbide stylus, dots are cold formed under a low stress and highly accurate compressive force. This system can put alpha-numeric characters on either hard or soft surfaces. These characters can come in a range of sizes and depths to suit your project’s needs. They are used in a wide range of characters, from UID codes, bar codes and logos to graphics, schematics or photo etchings.

Another marking option is plastic card embossing. Industries requiring an embossed finish, such as bank cards, membership cards and insurance cards require this type of marking. These cards add a personal touch to the end user. Several different types of embossers can be used depending on what the job calls for. Some systems are used almost exclusively for banking card solutions. Others give high speed results in a desktop environment. If you have a need for plastic card embossing, there is a solution available for you.

Some manufacturers want their parts marking for traceability to be in the form of embossed metal plates. These embossers are suitable for many applications, including identification plates and tags. Also found in such industries as ship building, VIN identification and various motor identification plates, this type of tracking is available for all sizes of manufacturing environments. The systems range from hand held embossers, which are good for smaller metal plates to larger ones with higher speeds and production quantities, used in the Automotive and Steel Industries as well as the Armed Forces. Whatever your metal embossing needs are and no matter the size of your company, there is an option for you.

If your company works in personalized identification cards, you will want to look into thermal card printers as a means of marking for traceability. These include smart cards encoded with magnetic strips and barcodes, creating the necessary databases for the parts in question. There are thermal card printers available in a range of sizes from a desktop environment to lamination options. For larger jobs, there are systems utilizing high speed and high volume printing. One of these systems can meet your thermal printing needs and provide the part marking you need for optimum traceability.

Direct part marking is just one process in the manufacturing world’s attempt to standardize and allow for all part traceability. It is a necessary system that continues to grow as the technology grows with it. In many instances, sales can be lost if the parts can’t be traced back to the manufacturer and charged accordingly. The traceability can save industries hundreds of millions of dollars. If you as a manufacturer want to trace your parts for whatever reason, choosing a part marking option for traceability can work for you and save possible lost revenues for your company.

Laser marking in the medical industry

Filed under: Laser Engraving — Tags: , , — admin @ 10:40 am

Laser marking has become an essential part of many businesses, and is now used widely in the medical industry. Traditional marking has now taken a back seat to the more advanced and highly accurate technology that is laser marking. There are advantages that laser marking offers that can’t be achieved through other marking techniques. The accuracy and speed that laser marking supplies, along with the ability to mark any size object with quality printing, and the ability to mark any number of objects, makes this technology much preferred over traditional marking methods.

Laser marking in the medical industry supplies the best reliability and precision for marking medical devices such as hearing aids, surgical instruments, implants, and a whole lot more. These medical items are marked with identification codes, serial numbers, and other information that is essential in their use in the industry.

There are various benefits offered to the users of medical equipment by laser marking. It provides dependable tracking and permits safe sterilization and cleaning in a medical atmosphere. The one of a kind annealing effect that is created by laser marking guarantees that surface areas will remain the same and also remain smooth after the marking process is completed. This ensures that there are no uneven spots in which germs can manifest themselves. The traceability and safety of any marked objects are also ensured by the laser markings resistance to chemicals, steam, and heat.

Laser marking has become the choice of many medical facilities who want to add data matrix codes to their pieces. While these keyhole surgery pieces are becoming smaller all the time, the tiny beam width of the laser allows accurate marking of the item no matter how small it may be. Laser marking has become particularly appropriate for medical applications due to it’s reliability, durability, cleanliness, and ease of maintenance.

Both metal and plastic components are precisely marked by a laser marking system. Whether it is high or low volume applications that are needed, the permanent marking of the laser system is easily integrated into any production line. This is just another part of what makes laser marking ideal for the medical industry.

There are strict requirements for marking in the medical industry that are easily adhered to by using laser marking. These include bar-coding, tapering, perfect surfaces, parallel and narrow incisions, and a lot more. For a wide range of materials the laser’s wavelength, beam quality, and power level can be adjusted for marking, cutting, welding, or structuring the material.

Laser marking is a safe and compact way to meet the marking needs of a wide variety of medical devices. Laser marking can also be used for such things as closing the titanium housings on implanted pumps, defibrillators, and pacemakers.

Laser marking has become an integral part of the medical industry. With all that it can do and the precision that it provides, along with all the other benefits that it supplies, laser marking will only become more important as the medical industry moves forward.

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