Laser Marking Machine Options

With so many parking options available in today's market, companies or individuals looking to improve their branding efforts may wonder which marking solution is best suited for their particular application. The first step in making an informed decision is understanding precisely what marking option is desired, then aligning with a provider of marking machines to identify the best marking solution for your application. There are three standard marking options available. These include carbon transfer printing, foaming, and colour-fusing. In this article, we'll examine each of the three laser marking techniques and present the key points: 

A carbon transfer laser marking machine is the most common and involves feeding coloured ink from the inkjet head into a hopper and allowing the ink to pass through an air gap between two rollers. When complete, the ink spatter appears on the surface of the media you're applying to. The UV laser beam responsible for activating the pigment is emitted in visible, ultraviolet light, creating the colours displayed on the media.

This method of application is ideal for short, thin lines or temporary applications. The UV laser marking machine leaves little green in the substrate, so it will not fade. However, it cannot produce the same level of colour durability as, for example, an HTK printer. It is also typically used for more narrow applications where a high degree of colour consistency is required. The low level of necessary ink makes this technique less efficient than other methods.

A foaming laser marking machine is more commonly used than carbon transfer. Foaming is achieved through injecting coloured pigments into a specially designed hopper. These pigments are then passed through an electric vacuum chamber, where the colour passes rapidly through a carbon dioxide laser beam. An automatic control unit monitor assesses the colour quality and speed of the ink transfer.

The CO2 laser bonding process produces some drawbacks compared to other types of marking systems. One issue is the slower rate of transfer of colourant between the two rollers. Carbon transfer, on the other hand, can transfer colour faster than CO2, but it tends to fade in a shorter time frame. Another drawback of CO2-based marking methods is the higher cost of CO2. If you use a CO2-based laser marking system for your metal alloy application, you may want to opt for alternative marking techniques.

For applications in which exact colour match is essential, inert metal gas (MIG) welding and dip-stamping are better alternatives than CO2-based systems. MIG and dip-stamping involve spraying metal parts with a coloured medium. The resulting patterns are permanent and washable, offering more flexibility when matching the final colour of the details to your requirements. This method works well for precision stainless steel applications were perfectly matched colour match is essential.

A well-designed laser marking machine should generate high-quality laser beams with minimal heating for an accurate application. This is important, especially for the high-volume production of parts. Good machines should be designed to work in conjunction with the operators in welding and piece placing tasks. The results of the completed work should be documented and entered into a database to provide future employers with a reliable source of information on completed projects.

The foaming process is one method used to achieve good results on the part markings. It involves injecting a carbon migration material into the part. This material causes a hardening effect on the surface of the region allowing for easier cutting, forming, and stamping. This option also produces good colour quality. The carbon migration is highly preferred over other options due to creating a hard, flat surface upon injection, which eliminates the need for hot rolls.