Unlock the potential of your coding operations with laser marking, a technology that delivers the high-speed marking of clear and permanent codes and other information on your products and packaging.
Q. How does laser marking work?
A. Laser marking works by using a focused beam of light to alter the surface of a material. The laser beam delivers intense energy to a specific area, causing the material to react in a way that creates a visible mark. Depending on the material and the type of laser used, this process can result in various marking effects such as engraving, annealing, staining, or removing material layers to produce the desired image or text. The process is highly precise, allowing for detailed and permanent marks suitable for branding, identification, and traceability purposes.
Q. Does laser marking wear off?
A. Laser marking is known for its durability and resistance to wear. The process typically alters the material at a surface level or even deeper, creating a permanent mark that does not fade or wear off easily over time. This permanence makes laser marking an ideal solution for applications where longevity and legibility of the mark are critical, such as in medical device identification, automotive part tracking, and other industrial uses where the items may undergo frequent handling or harsh conditions.
Q. Can you laser mark plastic?
A. Yes. Lasers can create clear, high-contrast, permanent marks on many plastics. The laser’s settings are adjusted to produce the desired mark without damaging the product. The specific type of laser and the plastic’s composition will influence whether lasers engrave or change the surface color of the plastic. Any color change is a result of the material’s reaction to the laser; custom colors can’t be chosen. Lasers are commonly used to produce dates, lot/batch codes, barcodes, serial numbers, logos, and other identifying marks on products and packaging.
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Q. What types of lasers are there?
A. CO₂ laser marking systems utilize a gas laser with CO₂ as the medium to engrave non-metal materials, offering high-speed marking on various plastics, cardboard/paperboard, glass, wood, and foil with precise and clean 2D codes, alphanumeric text, logos, and more.
Fiber laser marking systems employ a solid-state laser that is highly effective in marking metal and engineered plastics, providing high-contrast, permanent codes, text, and other marks with excellent durability and resistance to wear. Ideal for high-density plastic, stainless steel and other metals, and glass.
UV laser marking systems use ultraviolet light to create photochemical reactions that result in crisp, high-contrast marks on sensitive materials like glass, film, and mono-material packaging. Ideal for applications requiring fine detail without damage to the material.
Q. What materials can be marked with laser?
A. Depending on the material’s composition and the desired effect,lasers can achieve clear and permanent codes and other marks on many packaging materials, products, and industrial parts – including those made of film, paper, glass, metal, flexible and hard plastics, rubber, and wood. Achieving the ideal mark for your specific substrate and application relies on the optimum specification of laser source type and power, marking head, and lens, as well as various other factors that will impact the desired mark effect. Testing is needed to ensure the ideal marking technology is selected for any application.
Q. What industries use laser coding?
A. The food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, automotive, aeronautical, and extrusion industries all rely on lasers for product identification and traceability, while helping to ensure quality control, compliance with regulations, and efficient inventory management.
Q. Will lasers work on my high-speed production line? Are lasers as fast as CIJ printers?
A. Yes, lasers are well-suited for high-speed production lines, including those in beverage packaging and other consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, matching the speeds of continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers. They provide quick, non-contact marking that produces accurate and permanent high-resolution codes. This is achieved while maintaining the pace of fast-moving products, without sacrificing code quality.
Q. When should I use a laser instead of a printer?
A. Opt for a laser when permanent, high-resolution coding is required for your products—crucial for traceability and meeting industry standards. Lasers are ideal for production lines of all speeds.
Laser can successfully mark a wide array of substrates, including glass, plastic, metal, and coated paper. Additionally, lasers operate without consumables like inks, which translates to lower running costs and less maintenance than other coding solutions. Only a routine replacement of the fume extractor filter is required to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the work environment.
Q. Are lasers safe?
A. Lasers are safe when critical safety measures such as beam shielding and fume extraction are properly in place.
- Beam shielding is a mandatory requirement that effectively contains the laser beam, significantly reducing the risk of accidental exposure and safeguarding personnel and equipment. It’s a straightforward measure that ensures compliance with safety standards and protects against potential hazards in the workplace.
- Fume extraction is an important element of any laser marking installation, as it removes smoke and particulate debris created during the marking process, helping to provide a safe, odor-free environment while keeping the production area clean.
Q. Are lasers easy to use?
A. Modern laser systems are designed for ease of use, so even operators with limited technical experience can effectively manage laser marking operations after training. Key features include:
- User-friendly interfaces that often feature touch-screen controls and straightforward navigation.
- Pre-set parameters for various materials, helping to streamline the setup process by allowing users to start marking with minimal adjustments.
- Software that is typically designed to be intuitive, often allowing users to create designs, adjust settings, and control the marking process with ease.
- The ability to save settings for specific jobs, which can be quickly recalled for repeat tasks, further enhancing efficiency and user experience.
- Full integration into ERP systems to help reduce laser interactions and operator mistakes during job selection or when entering variable data.
- With these advanced yet accessible features, laser systems enable operators to focus on production without the complexities often associated with traditional marking technologies.
Q. Will a laser fit into my production line? Who can install and set up a laser?
A. Features like flexible beam turning units that allow for 360-degree rotation, and compact marking heads, help to simplify the installation of many laser marking systems into a wide range of production line configurations, even where space is limited.
Typically, the installation and proper setup of a laser system are carried out by qualified technicians or installation teams, ensuring that the system is calibrated for optimal performance in a production environment.
Videojet sample testing helps ensure that your product codes meet specifications. You’ll receive a detailed report with optimized setup parameters for your particular code and substrate.
Still have questions? Explore our full range of laser solutions or contact our experts to find the best fit for your production needs.
