Laser Marking Machine Ultimate Guide

The laser marking machine uses a laser beam to make permanent marks on the surface of various materials. And the laser marking machines are mainly doing some occasions requiring finer and higher precision.

With ultra-fast processing speed and ultra-high processing quality, the application of the laser marker is very extensive. And it mainly includes electronic components, integrated circuits (IC), electrical appliances. Moreover, it also contains mobile communications, hardware products, tool accessories, precision equipment, glasses, watches, jewelry, auto parts, and other fields.

The laser marking machine uses the high-density and high-energy characteristics of the laser to focus on a certain part of the surface of the material. And the surface of the material is vaporized or a chemical reaction of color occurs, leaving a permanent mark on the surface of the material. Because of the characteristics and advantages of the laser marker, it is very suitable for fine and high-precision areas.

Laser marking machines can be classified according to the core principles of working substances or working purposes. At present, the mainstream marking machines on the market are mainly including fiber laser marking machines, CO2 laser marking machines, ultraviolet laser markers. And it also contains semiconductor laser markers, flying laser marking machines, green laser marking machines, etc.

Fiber laser marking machine:

Fiber laser marking machine is a kind of laser marker series. This laser marking machine is mainly suitable for laser marking of metal materials. So it can also be called a metal laser marking machine. The fiber laser marker is the most advanced laser marking equipment in the world today. And it has the characteristics of good beam quality, small size, fast speed, long working life, flexible and convenient installation, and maintenance-free. Therefore, this type of laser marking machine is mainly processing plastics, electronics, metals, ceramics, tobacco, and other materials.

Ultraviolet laser marking machine:

The ultraviolet laser is a kind of cold light laser. Moreover, the absorption rate of various materials for ultraviolet light is relatively high. Therefore, the range of UV laser marking is also very wide. Compared with general laser markers, UV laser marking machines have the characteristics of finer marking and higher marking quality. Therefore, the UV laser marker is suitable for ultra-fine marking environment, food, and medicine packaging, glass division, electronic components, metal jewelry marking, etc.

CO2 laser marking machine:

The CO2 laser marking machine uses a laser beam to make permanent marks on the surface of various materials. Compared with the traditional inkjet printer, the main advantage of the CO2 laser marker is that it has no consumables and the permanent marking effect. At present, the CO2 laser marking machine can mark in some applications that require finer and higher precision. Its processing field mainly covers food, medicine, wine, electronic components, integrated circuits (IC), electrical appliances, mobile communications, building materials, PVC pipes, and other industries. 

Green laser marking machine:

The green laser marking machine belongs to the cold light category. And it mainly does surface and internal carving of glass crystal products. It is also very suitable for some products that have a larger response to heat and require higher precision. At the same time, it is suitable for the surface processing of most metal and non-metal materials and the processing of coating films. Therefore, this laser marker mainly does the surface and internal marking of glass and crystal products, ceramics, metals, electronics, plastics, and other products.

Semiconductor laser marking machine:

The working principle of the semiconductor laser marker is to use high-power semiconductor quantum well lasers instead of gas lamps to pump solid crystals as gain medium laser resonators to generate lasers of new wavelengths and to generate SHG, THG, and another wavelength laser. Through the design, the entire laser marking process flow, operating procedures, and quality standards from re-inspection of raw materials, partial assembly production, process inspection, final assembly debugging to final product general inspection have been established.

Flying laser marking machine:

The flying laser marking machine is a dynamic marking function. And it develops on the basis of the above several laser marking machines. This type of marking machine is mainly used in assembly line processing. It can mark on products without limitation for 360 days. And it can also automatically generate serial numbers and batch numbers. Therefore, it can greatly improve the production efficiency, and save a lot of labor.

Laser

The laser is the core accessory of the laser marking machine. And it is also the most expensive accessory for laser marking machine. The laser directly determines the use effect and life span of the laser marking machine. So it is an important laser marking machine kit. According to different laser machine models, lasers usually include fiber, ultraviolet, CO2, YAG, semiconductor lasers, etc.

Laser power supply

The laser power supply of the laser marker is an energy supply device. And it mainly provides power for the laser marker. The laser power supply is commonly in the control box of the marking machine. And it is a component that powers the fiber laser.

Galvo scanning system

The galvanometer scanning system is including an optical scanner and servo control. And the vibrating lens is including a stator, a rotor, and a detection sensor. The entire system using new technologies, new materials, new processes, and new working principles. And the optical scanner adopts a servo motor with a moving magnetic deflection working mode. Moreover, the optical scanner contains an X-direction scanning system and a Y-direction scanning system. A laser reflecting mirror is fixed on each servo motor shaft. Each servo motor is controlled by a digital signal from the computer to control its scanning track.

Computer control system

The computer control system is the center of control.  And it is also the command of the entire laser marking machine, as well as the carrier of software installation. Through the coordinated control of the acousto-optic modulation system and the galvanometer scanning system, it can realize the marking of the workpiece.

Focus system

The function of the focusing system is to focus the parallel laser beam at one point.  And the focal length of different f-θ lenses is different, and the marking effect and range are different. The fiber laser marking system uses an imported high-performance focusing system. And the standard lens focal length f=160 mm, effective scanning the range is Φ110 mm. Therefore, we can choose the lens of the model according to the need.

Marking control software

The laser marker software can control marking parameters. And it can also control the application interface for debugging, and operate all marking actions. Therefore, it is also called a laser control card and laser marking system. It can convert the text patterns we draw on the computer into analog signals or digital signals. And then it transmits them to the galvanometer.

Chassis model

The chassis model is the model architecture of the entire device. If a marking machine is regarded as a computer, the cabinet is equivalent to the shell of a computer. There are desktop computer shells and notebook computer shells. Then the marking machine chassis model mainly includes a desktop marking machine cabinet, portable marking machine cabinet. And it also contains a hand-held laser marking machine cabinet, and other various styles.

Above we mainly talked about the common types of laser marking machines. It mainly includes a fiber laser marker, CO2 laser marker, ultraviolet laser marker, and so on. In the process of use, the fiber laser marking machine and the CO2 laser marker are the two marking machines that users choose most. But many users are also easy to mistake these two laser marking machines. Today I will take you to learn more about the difference between these two machines.

Difference in machine performance

Fiber laser marking machine: It has a high electro-optical conversion efficiency. And the power consumption of the whole machine is less than 500W, which is 1/10 of the lamp-pumped solid laser marker, which greatly saves energy consumption. The processing speed is fast, and it is 2-3 times the traditional marking machine. The operating life of the laser is up to 100,000 hours.

CO2 laser marking machine: With high laser power, it can be used for engraving and cutting a variety of non-metal products. And the laser has a long operating life of 20,000-30000 hours.

Difference in applicable materials and industries

Fiber laser marking machines mainly process metals and a variety of non-metal materials, such as high-hardness alloys, oxides, electroplating, coating, ABS, epoxy resin, ink, engineering plastics, etc. And this type of laser marker is widely used in plastic translucent buttons, IC chips, digital product parts, jewelry, sanitary ware, clocks and glasses, electrical appliances, electronic components, hardware accessories, hardware tools, mobile phone communication parts, automobile and motorcycle accessories, plastic products, building materials, pipes, etc. industry.

CO2 laser marker is suitable for marking paper, leather, cloth, epoxy resin, acrylic, wool products, plastics, ceramics, crystal, jade, bamboo, and wood products. And it is widely used in various consumer goods, food packaging, beverage packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, architectural ceramics, clothing accessories, leather, textile cutting, craft gifts, rubber products, shall nameplates, denim, furniture, and other industries.

Difference in processing advantages

Performance characteristics of fiber laser marking machine:

1. The marking software is powerful, compatible with files from CorelDRAW, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and other software. It can support PLT, PCX, DXF, BMP, etc., and can directly use SHX and TTF fonts. And it can also support automatic encoding, printing serial numbers, batch numbers, dates, etc. Bar code, QR code, automatic number skipping, etc.
2. It adopts an integrated overall structure, equipped with an automatic focusing system, and the operation process is humanized.​​​​​​
3. Use the originally imported isolators to protect the fiber laser window to enhance stability and laser life.
4. No need for any maintenance, long service life, small size, and suitable for working in harsh environments.
5. The processing speed is fast, 2-3 times that of the traditional marking machine.
6. The power consumption of the whole machine is less than 500W, which is 1/10 of the lamp-pumped solid-state laser marker, which greatly saves energy consumption.
7. The beam quality is much better than that of the traditional solid laser marker. It is the fundamental mode (TEM00) output, and the focused spot diameter is less than 20um. The divergence angle is 1/4 of the semiconductor pump laser. Therefore, it is especially suitable for fine and precise markings.

Performance characteristics of CO2 laser marking machine

1. High marking accuracy, fast speed, free control of the depth of the engraving.
2. High laser power, suitable for engraving and cutting a variety of non-metal products.
3. No consumables, low processing cost-laser operating life up to 20000-30000 hours.
4. Clear marking, not easy to wear, high engraving and cutting efficiency, environmental protection, and energy-saving.
5. Use the 10.64um laser beam to expand, focus, and finally control the deflection of the galvanometer.
6. Act on the surface of the workpiece according to the predetermined trajectory to vaporize the working surface to achieve the marking effect.
7. Good beam pattern, stable system performance, maintenance-free, suitable for industrial processing sites with large-volume, multi-variety, high-speed, high-precision continuous production.
8. The most advanced optical path optimization design and unique graphics path optimization technology, coupled with the unique super pulse function of the laser, make the cutting speed faster.

1. Metal areas

Laser marking machines are widely used in various metals. Especially for the marking of the electronic hardware accessories industry, some hardware accessories and electronic components will be marked with a laser marker. And for materials with high friction such as automobiles, ships, machinery, equipment, etc., the use of laser marking can be durable, and better help the industry to mark.

2. Electronic field

The laser marker is used in the IT industry, communications industry, machine manufacturing, food and medicine, medical equipment. And its application areas also include watches and glasses, craft gifts, precious metal jewelry, leather clothing, packaging, and printing stoves, as well as precision hardware, accessories, electrical appliances, meters Instruments, and other metal processing industries.

3. Polymer materials

The laser marking machine can process polymer materials. For electronic components, reflective films, plastic buttons, sapphire, glass, ceramic tiles, aluminum plates, signs, and other materials. And the UV laser marker is very good at it. Therefore, laser markers can also be widely used in electronic communications, electrical engineering, instrumentation, precision hardware, watches and glasses, jewelry, ceramics, and other industries.

4. Non-metal materials

CO2 laser marker can realize the marking for non-metal processing industries. And it can mark on clothing, leather, craft gifts, packaging, advertising, wood, textile, plastic, signage, electronic communication, clocks, glasses, printing, decoration, etc. Moreover, it has good results in the processing of non-metallic materials such as wood products, cloth, leather, epoxy resin, acrylic, and unsaturated resin.

5. Packaging field

We all know that the laser marker is also a laser inkjet printer. And it can mark and identifies the material.  It is in the fields of food and beverage packaging, wine bottle cap cigarette packaging, medical box/bottle packaging. No matter what material it is, all these need a laser marking machine. And the production date, batch number, and two-dimensional code of the product can be clearly marked on the material.

6. Food industry

The application of laser markers in the food industry. At present, it mainly refers to the use of lasers to make various information. And it can mark on the surface of food, such as patterns, two-dimensional codes, etc. Without consumables, the printing effect is more precise and clear. And the resolution is higher, the failure rate is low. And it is clean and pollution-free.

7. Automatic areas

Automatic laser marking system application. Assembled laser marker, multi-station laser marking machine, portable laser marking machine, automatic overflow marking machine, flying laser marking machine all can realize the rapid marking of various products and realizes full automation.

In recent years, laser marking machines have been more and more popular in various industries. Why do users choose a used marking machine less and less?  We all know that laser marking has the advantages of low cost, high flexibility, and permanent marking effect compared with traditional mechanical engraving, chemical corrosion, screen printing, ink, and other marking methods. Today I will take you to get why more and more users choose laser marking machines instead of traditional or used laser marking technology.

1. Non-contact

Compared with traditional marking methods, laser marking uses non-contact marking. It can mark on any regular or irregular surface. And the workpiece will not produce internal stress after marking, ensuring the original accuracy of the workpiece. No corrosion to the working surface, no “tool” wear, no poison, no pollution.

2. Wide applicability

Compared with traditional marking methods, laser marking processes a wider range of materials. And it can process a variety of metal and non-metal materials such as aluminum, copper, iron, wood products, etc.

3. High marking accuracy

The minimum marking line width of the laser marking machine can reach 0.04 mm. And the marking is clear, durable, and beautiful. It can meet the needs of printing large amounts of data on minimal plastic parts. For example, it can print two-dimensional bar codes that require more precision and higher definition. Compared with imprinting or jet marking, it has stronger market competitiveness.

4. Low operating cost

The marking speed is fast and the marking is formed at one time, And it has the features of low energy consumption and low operating cost. Although the equipment investment of the laser marking machine is larger than that of the traditional marking equipment, from the operating cost, the use of the laser marking machine is much lower.

5. High processing efficiency

The laser marking system is equipped with a computer control system, which can flexibly cooperate with the high-speed assembly line. The laser beam under computer control can move at a high speed (speed up to 5-7 meters per second). Therefore, it can realize the marking within a few seconds.

6. Fast development

Due to the combination of laser technology and computer technology, users can realize laser printing output as long as the program on the computer.  And it can change the printing design at any time, which fundamentally replaces the traditional mold making process. And it can also provide for shortening the product upgrade cycle and flexible production. 

8. Permanent.

Laser marking will not fade due to environmental factors (touch, acid, and reduced gas, high temperature, low temperature, etc.).

7. Anti-counterfeiting.

The mark by laser marking technology is not easy to imitate and change. And to a certain extent, it has strong anti-counterfeiting.

8. Low maintenance costs.

Laser marking is a non-contact marking. Unlike the stencil printing process, which has a service life limitation, the maintenance cost in batch processing is extremely low.

9. High environmental protection.

Laser marking is a non-contact marking. Compared to the corrosion method, it can save energy and avoid chemical pollution.  Compared to mechanical marking, it can also reduce noise pollution.

From the above factors, it can be seen that compared with traditional marking methods such as pad printing, coding, etc, laser marking machines have many advantages. Therefore, in many material processors, users did not choose the traditional laser marking methods but laser marking machines.

With the advantages of high efficiency and high quality, laser marker is more and more popular among users. But facing all kinds of laser marking machines on the market. How to choose a suitable high-cost laser marker is very important. Next, I will teach you how to choose the right laser marker from six aspects.

1. Qualification of laser marking machine manufacturer

There are many companies producing laser markers. When choosing a laser marking machine, it is not only the product quality but also the qualification of the laser marker supplier. For example, whether the company has relevant licenses, whether the laser equipment has a certificate, etc. Many unnecessary troubles and risks can be avoided in the future.

2. After-sales service of engraving machine

The competition in the laser industry is becoming more and more fierce. And customers should not only pay attention to product quality and corporate qualifications when choosing a laser marker. We also should learn more about the technical support and after-sales service provided by laser marker companies. And it can include whether there will be on-site installation and debugging, equipment operation training, etc.

3. Processing materials 

The first thing to consider is what material to mark. As we all know that laser marker for different materials is also different. For metals, non-metals, alloys, or special materials, different types of laser marking machines have different processing effects. And laser markers mainly includes several types according to laser types, such as fiber laser markers, CO2 laser markers, and ultraviolet laser markers.

4. Specific marking process

Laser marking can also be subdivided into plane marking, fixed marking, flying marking, and other more specific processing techniques. Before purchasing equipment, users must inform the marking machine supplier of their detailed requirements, so that they can choose the right laser marker equipment.

5. Marking machine price

A comprehensive comparison of laser marker price and quality, we know that prices are often easy to mislead customers. In a word, the price is not only related to product quality but also has a great impact on market factors.

6. Other factors

At the same time, it is also necessary to consider whether the laser marker equipment is used alone or equipped with related facilities for supporting use. If it is used in a supporting manner, it is necessary to consider the matching factors of supporting facilities and whether it can achieve the desired effect.

When choosing a laser marker, we not only consider the six factors mentioned above. Specific to each laser marking machine. Choosing a good laser marking machine depends on the quality of the laser lens. Generally, the better the laser lens, the more laser light is reflected, and the smaller the laser loss, which is beneficial to increase the electro-optical conversion rate of the laser marker.

Choosing a good laser marking machine depends on whether the software of the laser marking machine is developed with genuine original software. And pirated laser marker software will often have light leakage, power consumption, unstable performance, short service life, and maintenance. 

The above is the relevant information about the laser marker. No matter what material you process, no matter what industry you want to use. This article will be very helpful to you. In addition, it can help you better choose the right laser marking machine.

As a professional laser marking machine manufacturer, no matter what kind of material you want to achieve marking, DXTECH Laser marker can satisfy you. Of course, if you want to know other information about the laser marking machine, please leave us a message. Follow me, I will continue to update various information about the laser machine.