Laser marking for traceability
The traceability of industrial supply chains is increasingly a topic of primary importance in many sectors. Understanding how to keep the transformation and assembly processes of the product under control is the only way in some sectors to maintain the right level of quality.
In this type of die each component is identified with a serial or a lot number, which is usually stamped with a barcode, datamatrix or QR code. The laser is ideal for carrying out this type of processing on virtually any surface. The acquisition of this data through special readers during the production cycle and later during the life cycle, allows you to always keep the product configuration and its implications in terms of quality and safety under control.
The sectors of greatest interest for laser traceability applications are: Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical.
Laser marking of texts and logos
The marking of logos and texts on objects is one of the most common laser processing practices. The logo represents a company and that is why it is of great importance to make it visible. With laser marking it is possible to mark indelibly and clearly on extremely small surfaces or on objects that must be exposed to extreme external agents such as, for example, tools or marine equipment. Text marking is also important and is widely used in product customization and identification by coding.
Many sectors use the marking of texts and logos. In particular we can mention those where the visibility of the branding is very important such as: fashion, jewelry, luxury, etc.
Functional laser marking
The functional processing of the surface of the material allows to vary the intrinsic characteristics of the object both of a chemical and physical nature and of an aesthetic nature. By exploiting these particular laser processes we can change the wettability characteristics of a material, of friction or of behavior with respect to the optical reflection of light.
The sectors of greatest interest for functional marking laser applications are: micromechanics, mechanics linked to fluids, watchmaking, etc.
Engraving
Laser engraving represents another important and widespread application of laser machining. The principle on which it is based is to remove material (laser ablation), passing the beam several times over the surface in order to obtain cavities with well-defined geometric properties (edges, fittings, surface finish of the excavation, etc.). The flexibility and precision of processing that can be obtained with a laser are superior to any other mechanical and chemical processing method that can be compared.
Deep engraving laser
This technique is used in the construction of tools, molds, in the identification of frames in the automotive or jewelry. It consists in going down in the processing up to a few millimeters using a multi-pass ablation strategy.
Black Laser engraving
In this case, the chemical oxidation process of the molten material of the surface is exploited, which occurs thanks to the presence of oxygen. The surface roughness absorbs a lot of light and gives the effect of black or tending to gray or dark brown engravings on specific materials such as (aluminum, copper, brass, etc.).
White engraving laser
The white engraving is a shallower process that creates smooth and highly reflective surfaces. In this process, the melting of the material is limited and it adapts perfectly to dark metals such as galvanized steel, hardened steel, etc.
The sectors of greatest interest for laser engraving applications are many, including: mechanics in general, automotive, molds, tools, medical, jewelery, watches, etc.
Laser Cleaning
A particular incision is that of Laser Cleaning, which through the removal of a surface layer of material, is used for pre-processing operations of the materials (for example for the removal of oxides on metals) or finishing at the end of the processing cycle (e.g. for the removal of chips or particulates).
The sectors of greatest interest for Laser Cleaning applications are: mechanics in general, molds, medical, printing and packaging, etc.