Laser markers for metals
Marking lasers perform high-contrast, high-speed processing on all types of metal, even if they have undergone post-production processing or undergone invasive work. The most popular lasers for marking metal are the Fiber lasers from LASIT. This laser is the most widely used in industry and achieves optimal results in metal marking in 90% of cases. In many cases, we can also recommend using a MOPA lasers (variable pulse) as it can produce colored markings on steel and black markings on anodized aluminum.
The processes of laser marking on metals
There are several processes that can be applied to metals, including surface laser marking, deep laser engraving, and annealing.
01
SURFACE LASER MARKING
Surface laser marking produces markings that are only a few microns deep. The energy from the laser affects the surface structure of the material by melting it on a microscopic level. Compared with deep laser engraving, less energy is used to create a surface laser mark.
Surface laser marking is also faster than deep laser engraving.
02
DEEP LASER ENGRAVING
Unlike laser marking, which creates melted grooves, laser engraving evaporates the material in a few milliseconds to create permanent markings.
Deep Laser engraving also lasts longer. It is recommended when the marked component undergoe additional processes, such as sandblasting for die-castings.
03
ANNEALING
Annealing is when the laser marking oxidizes the surface of the metal, heating it locally.
During the annealing process, the surface of the metal is kept uniform. This happens because laser marking involves only heating and not the removal of material.
The oxidized layer is usually black, but it can take on different colors depending on the temperature of the heated layer.
