It’s not a new idea, marking and branding your products brings well-known and multitudinous benefits.
This is even more true for laser marking and engraving. It can boost consumer perception of greater quality and aesthetics, a permanent mark made without inks, perfect accuracy, and quicker turnaround times.
But there’s a lot to know about what technologies are out there, what surfaces you can mark on, and if it actually is right for your business.
Considering best laser engraver marking for your products? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.
Laser Marking Technologies
There are five major technologies on the market right now. Those are:
- CO2
- Fiber
- Green
- UV (Ultraviolet)
- YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet)
What you need to know about them is that each produces laser light using different means. This changes the frequencies of the lasers, which changes the color.
Color may not seem like a big deal, but different colors perform better on different surfaces. Each type of laser technology also comes in a variety of sizes, due to the way laser light is produced in each technology.
What Surfaces Are Best For Marking and Engraving?
Virtually any surface can be marked or engraved, which really means you need to find the best match of laser for your product material.
For marking on metals like stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and others, fiber lasers often perform best. That’s not to say you can’t mark using a CO2 laser on aluminum or steel, but you’ll need a marking medium. Fiber lasers can mark directly on the metal itself.
The goal is to increase speed and accuracy, which can best be delivered in that scenario with a fiber laser.
However, when marking clear tubing or vinyl for use in medical supplies, a UV laser. This approach keeps hygiene and sterilization high to conform with regulatory standards. For non-medical plastics, an infrared fiber or green laser can also do the trick.
Laser marking on organic materials such as wood, paper, leather, and even stone or glass is possible. For these materials, CO2 lasers perform best.
Applications for Laser Marking
As you can see, the variety of materials that lasers can mark or engrave are endless.
In the past, people have used laser marking on:
- Granite plaques and headstones
- Coffins
- Beer and wine glasses
- Metal or glass awards
- Medical instruments
- Medical tubing and vinyl
- Car parts
- Packaging (of any material type)
- Cutting tools
- And more
Really, the sky is the limit on the applications you can use laser marking in. Laser marking is typically used in applications involving:
- Branding
- Identification
- Enhanced security
To learn more about how laser marking VIN codes helps to protect vehicles, you can click for more information.
Burned Into Memory
Laser marking is an incredible technology that is more accessible and usable than ever. It’s only expected to increase as time goes on and technology improves to reduce size and energy consumption.
It speeds up production, creates an impression on customers, and improves security and identification.
Want to know more about other technologies and business ideas? Keep browsing our other articles on Beyondvela to find out more!
