What to Look for When Buying A Laser Marking Machine?
Basically, laser marking is a process that uses a concentrated beam of light to create a precise and permanent mark on a range of surfaces, including materials like steel, titanium, copper, ceramics, glass, plastic and wood.
Laser marking machines can create marks such as serial numbers, bar codes and graphics. There are several things you should consider when choosing a laser marking machine.
Which materials do you want to mark?
Seeing as a UV laser marking machine can mark more materials, it is often the preferred choice. But your choice of machine will largely be dependent on the exact materials you need to engrave. Here are the key materials you can use with each machine.
UV lasers can mark:
· Some metals
· Some stones
· All plastics
· All glass
· All papers
· All leathers
· All woods
· All ceramics
ZJ-MKBX Laser Marking Machine
Is a UV laser marker or a fibre laser marker more suited to your requirements?
The two main types of laser marking machines are UV laser machines and fibre laser machines. Both look similar and both can engrave numerous materials. However, UV laser markers can engrave a wider range of materials than fibre laser machines. However, UV laser machines have less power to engrave on metal materials.
Although the two types of machine are similar in appearance, they use different technologies. They use different power supplies and the UV laser machine must be cooled by a water cooler, whereas the fibre laser machine is cooled by air.
UV laser technology can also mark on different materials, including non-metals, with greater versatility and capability, and it uses automated systems such as linear guide engraving and rotary engraving.
Although UV laser marking systems have many advantages over fibre laser machine processes and are the most widely used form of laser marking, fibre laser marking does have many benefits, including its ability to engrave at high speeds on a variety of metal surfaces.
Applications of Laser Marking Machine
Understanding the difference between marking, engraving and etching
Although the terms laser marking, engraving and etching are often used interchangeably by laymen, there are differences between the three methods. Before you choose a laser marking machine, it is important to understand the differences between the three marking processes to ensure you buy the right machine for your needs.
Laser marking processes
Laser marking is achieved by slowly moving a low power beam across a surface using a method known as colour changing. The laser heats the material causing oxidation under the surface of the material, causing it to turn black. The surface is then annealed using low temperatures. The process produces a high contrast mark without causing any damage to the material.
Laser engraving process
The laser engraving process involves the laser beam removing the surface of the material to expose the cavity and then displaying the image. During the engraving process, the laser produces high levels of heat, causing the material to evaporate, leaving cavities on the surface. Laser engraving is a fast process, although the process needs to be repeated several times to create deeper marks.
Laser etching process
Laser etching is a subset of laser engraving. The process involves the heat of the light beam melting the surface of the material. As the melted material expands, a raised mark is created. Laser etching can be carried out on bare, anodised or plated metal surfaces as well as on ceramics and polymers.
ZJ-MKTS Laser Marking Machine
Maintenance
Maintenance is an important factor to consider when purchasing a laser engraver. It is important to know how often the equipment needs to be maintained and whether this can be done in-house or whether it needs to be done by a contracted professional.
If maintenance is complicated, a business may need to hire a technician to perform the maintenance tasks, which may result in additional costs. It is best to choose a dealer or manufacturer who can guarantee support for your machine to resolve incidents or carry out training. The machine works every day, so it is necessary to choose the highest quality equipment to meet your requirements.
Best Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. is one of the professional laser equipment manufacturers in China. We focus on the R&D, manufacturing and sales of high-power laser processing equipment, including high-power laser cutting machines, laser welding machines and multi-functional laser processing equipment, providing customers with personalized and other professional laser processing system solutions.
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