Why a Fiber Laser Marking Machine is Best for Your Business
The use of laser marking has increased over the past two decades, mainly due to its popularity as a labeling medium. Its use carries substantive advantages in identifying product inventories and the ability to provide consumer information on products. The wide range of materials that can be marked using this method also makes it extremely flexible for commercial and industrial purposes. For optimal results, choose a fiber laser marking machine for your business.
How Does Laser Marking Work?
Several types of laser marking machines exist, but the most up-to-date technology available is that of the fiber laser. This kind of laser machine, widely considered to be the best option in existence, uses fiber pumping technology to “dope” the fibers with a rare-earth element such as Ytterbium.
The use of this element increases the ability of the fibers to conduct light-emitting diodes, which are then pumped through the fibers to the optical heads. At that point, the beam of light expands to create the laser marking capability. The beam of light then marks the material using one of four methods:
- Laser engraving
- Ablation or removal of a layer of the material
- Carbon migration or etching of the surface of the material to change the color
- Bonding
You can use fiber laser marking on a wide range of materials, from different types of metal through to leather and plastics. Types of metals that lend themselves well to fiber laser engraving include platinum, stainless steel, silver, gold and bronze. Carbide, tungsten, copper, aluminum or medical-grade alloys also respond well to fiber laser marking.
Ways to Use Laser Marking
Fiber laser marking, which is also known as laser engraving because of the resulting surface pattern produced by the ablation process, is used for a variety of applications including:
Medical Devices and Equipment – surgical devices and other medical products that require frequent sterilization (often at high temperatures) use identification marks that can withstand the cleansing process without interfering with the health of the patient.
Jewelry Engraving – creation of unique marks to identify or brand items of jewelry has become popular for copyright protection and recovery of stolen property. The precision of laser engraving is also used to personalize pieces such as wedding bands with the vows or the couple’s marriage date.
Laser Cutting - light laser cutting is also very popular in the jewelry industry. Light metals are used to create name cutouts and monograms as well as other design cut outs.
Computerized parts such as printed circuit boards use laser marking to produce clear, high-resolution images that are ink- and acid-free for use in electronic applications.
If you’re in the business of manufacturing or selling any of these types of products, then fiber laser marking equipment is the one you need. This is just a small sampling of the many applications that fiber laser markers are being used for.
Advantages of Fiber Laser Marking
Fiber laser marking technology has a number of advantages over other types of laser marking systems. The equipment is simpler and cheaper to use than other forms, due in part to the minimal maintenance required and the elimination of any consumables. There are a range of different types of laser marking and engraving machines available, including:
- Fiber (Ytterbaum) 1070 nm
- CO2 (gas laser)
- Nd:YAG Flash Lamp (solid state)
- Nd:YAG Diode Pumped
- Vanadate (Nd:YVO4)
One of the benefits of using fiber markers is minimal part replacement - the diodes have a significant lifespan so there’s no need to budget extensively for parts. When they need replacement, it can be done in the field without requiring a qualified technician to perform any laser alignment.
Then there's the convenience. The air-cooled design is more convenient than models that use water for cooling purposes, and the quality of the laser beam is better than most of the other types of laser marking machines available. And in terms of space requirements, the equipment has an exceptionally small footprint, which means you can place it in almost any location and operate it without using precious space. This makes it much easier to integrate into an assembly line, or a small factory or workshop without reconfiguring your entire production facility. Overall, fiber laser marking technology is vastly more convenient and cost-effective than other types of marking and engraving machines.
To learn more about fiber laser marking for your business, please contact LaserStar today.
