Laser Marking Systems  - LS can supply your complete turnkey  laser marking solution.

Laser marking

A great variety of materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, foils and even gemstones can be marked by laser. A laser can mark serial numbers, logos, on-line data, type specifications, graphics or barcodes. The information to be marked can be input via a keyboard or graphics files including CAD (dxf, dwg) files.

The type of laser that is used will depend on a number of factors including the

 - material to be laser marked

 - throughput required

 - shape and size of the product to be marked

 - required clarity of the mark (is it fro traceability or corporate image?).

LS engineers will discuss your application with you and mark your samples to determine what configuration is required to meet your goals.

A laser marker system normally consists of following components: 
 - laser source
 - control computer with software
 - beam positioning (deflection) unit
 - component handling
 - software

Laser marking can be achieved by three different methods depending on the material to be marked and the required contrast;  e.g. by removing material (engraving), by causing a colour change, or by vaporising a thin film from the surface. Different materials will require a different wavelength of laser light which has to be absorbed by the material to create the contrast difference. For example most metals require a near infra-red source which is produced by a YAG laser whereas plastics require a longer wavelength of laser light which is produced by a carbon dioxide source.

For marking, the component has to be placed onto the positioning unit. The deviation unit moves and focuses the laser beam on the component to be marked. The laser beam thus moves over the material like a plotter pen. The standard marking area is 110x110 mm²; optionally 220x220 mm² is possible. To control the marking a standard or industrial PC is used. The most important laser parameters, such as laser power and pulse frequency, have to be optimised so that high-contrast, clear marking results.

The LS laser marker has various interfaces (I/O ports, RS-232) for communication with external systems, enabling problem-free integration into production lines.

Component handling can consist of manually loading the component into the marking systems via a sliding door or it could be automatically presenting the part via a pick and place mechanism.

LS can supply your complete turnkey  laser marking solution.