What is laser marking?
Laser marking is the process of marking or labelling different products or materials. Like the label maker, laser marking provides a clean and efficient way to mark a wide range of materials for any use. Giving amazing marking works for products or signs.
Now, what is the difference between laser marking and engraving? Laser engraving is done by removing a portion of the material to leave a marking. While laser marking is just etching the words or pictures on the material by creating a contrast using lasers.
Different Types of Laser Marking
Annealing Marking
The heat generated by the laser causes oxidation to occur underneath the surface of the material. This creates a colour change on the surface of the material being worked on. Creating the resulting markings.
Staining Marking
This laser marking process utilises the chemical reaction to alter the colour and the material it is working on. This allows it to create a contrast on the surfaces. Depending on the material being used, the resulting marking will differ in terms of colour shades produced.
Foaming Marking
This method melts the material to a certain degree causing bubbles to produce in the inner linings of the material. These bubbles will in return reflect the light diffusely. This will create the marking to come out lighter with less contrast than the areas that have not been etched. This type of marking is mainly used on dark plastics.
Carbonizing
Carbonizing utilises the heat produced by the laser to increase the temperature of the surface of the material and oxygen, hydrogen or both. This leaves behind a darkened spot of the material. This area contains a high concentration of carbon. This method is suitable for marking materials such as polymers or biopolymers(wood or leather).