What Industries Are Using Laser Marking in Business?
A growing number of companies in a wide variety of industrial sectors are realizing the benefits of laser marking and engraving technologies. With the help of computer-aided design programs, laser markers are able to produce high-quality designs and unique identification on surfaces ranging from metals to plastics and ceramics. Thanks to years of constant innovation and improvements, laser marking systems have become a cost-effective way to engrave materials for both aesthetic and identification purposes.
Potential Uses of Laser Marking
Most uses for laser marking come from the need for quickly identifying and tracking tools, materials and other inventory. Asset tracking and identification plays an important part in a wide variety of public and private sector businesses. One of the programs where asset tracking and identification plays an essential role is the Unique Identification (UID) program, designed by the U.S. Department of Defense. UID allows for ready identification, traceability and accountability of government property purchases by assigning each purchased asset a unique identification mark. This mark consists of scannable bar codes, human readable text and data matrix codes. Once these unique identifiers are deployed, they can be used to track an asset throughout its entire lifecycle, allowing for greater accountability and fewer losses of important government assets.
Laser marking technology is used to great effect by a number of industries:
- Medical Tools and Equipment: Medical tools and equipment benefit from precise and durable markings. Laser marks are impervious to the constant temperature changes brought on by sterilization and other tasks that involve sudden applications of heat. These markings also resist abrasion caused by constant handling.
- Medical Devices and Implants: Lasers are able to handle marking the complicated shapes and surfaces of medical implants and devices, allowing data matrix codes, part numbers and other human readable codes and information to be printed on the implant. In most cases, the laser markers produce very little heat, allowing the overall integrity of the implant to be maintained during the process.
- Aerospace Materials: Laser marking technology can be used on exotic materials that do not take well to other engraving methods. Laser markers can maintain the integrity of the material being marked while producing high-quality text, logos and machine-readable codes.
- Automotive Components: Laser marking is ideal for producing images, text and codes onto automotive components as they pass through various points of the production and assembly process.
Jewelry: Lasers provide a way to engrave a variety of materials without subjecting them to contact with acid or bit heads. Laser engraving machines have shrunk in size thanks to continuing improvements. Laser engraving machines that are small enough to fit on a desk provide a fast method of producing text and images with the clarity other engraving methods lack.- Electronics: Laser marking technology is ideal for precise marking tasks on small electronic components, including circuit boards, microchips and resistors. Adjustable focal lengths allow lasers to engrave materials that have proven too small for other engraving methods.
- Consumables: Thanks to their quick speed, lasers are ideal for marking a wide variety of materials on assembly lines. Laser marking machines stationed at any point of the assembly process can apply expiration codes, lot numbers and other unique identifiers on plastics, glass, ceramics and other materials.
The advantages of laser marking over other methods of marking and engraving are simply too big to ignore. Laser marking machines require little maintenance and lack the need for consumables, making them cost-effective throughout their lifespan. Laser marking machines offer greater flexibility in operation and design creation, low operating costs and the ability to produce high-quality results that last for long periods. These are very good reasons for you to include laser marking machines in your arsenal of tools!
