Laser Engraving- tracing products made easy!

A technique which is basically used in the fields of printing, laser bonding and hot-branding is referred to as laser engraving which is a generic term covering a wide array of surfacing techniques.

Laser engraving and laser marking terms are sometimes used interchangeably as these machines are similar.

Laser engraving is quite common and it is generally used by the companies or business organizations to place a permanent label on them which is not only informative but cost effective as well as aesthetically pleasing. In a variety of industries, laser marking is used to provide products, articles and components, lifetime traceability. This can be offered in the form of clear text, 1 -, 2 - or 3-dimensional codes and graphics.

The use of laser light is involved in laser engraving in order to process a material so that the material reflects the text or graphics on it. Girders, metal parts, new metal alloys and specially designed alloys like polymers which have been developed in such a manner so that they marking or engraving is easier on them are used.

A wide array of concepts encompasses this fact as laser light affects a material. Sometimes the two terms, laser marking and laser engraving are used interchangeably and sometimes they are used with the difference in meaning. Laser engraving refers to the process wherein the material object is vaporized by the laser which provides a label. This label is visible through the shadows and reflections that appear as consequence of the browning spots in the public light created by the erosion of the material surface.

Laser etching is another process wherein a laser beam is used to cut an image or pattern into a hard material, such as wood, glass or metal on a permanent basis. The depth, size and location of the pattern are programmed into a computer that controls the laser in case of large projects. On the material used and the level of heat required, the strength of the laser is based.

In manufacturing setting, this type of laser etching is typically found where two types of lasers, hand-held and machine-operated are used. A production technician uses the hand-held units in order to correct minor errors or issues related to quality with the product at the end of the work flow. Laser etching as a tool is also used by artisans or engravers who need to create a product with very precise work.

To mass-produce a specific pattern, the machine-operated unit is programmed, by etching it into the final material. Engraving metal, circuit boards or carving hard plastic are some of the common uses of laser etching. As far as wood is concerned, lasers are rarely used as they tend to leave burn marks on the surface of the wood.