Laser Marker – Its Benefits and Uses

Labeling and marking of products are one of the most important parts of the manufacturing process, especially in the automotive industry. Since there are lots of parts that are being fabricated and handled to assemble a vehicle, it is required to have a reliable direct part marking machine to make sure that there’ll be proper delivery and installation of those parts. This means that from bolts, motor, seats, to the wheels, all parts have their own exclusive part numbers that define their functions and locations in the car when it is being assembled.

To be able to put these part numbers, a laser marker is needed. Laser marking is one of the various laser processes, and it is preferred in a lot of areas, not just in automotive production because it is cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. It is being used in a number of industries to give components, products, and articles with lifetime trackability in the form of plain text, 1, 2, or 3-dimensional codes, and as well as graphics like matrix codes.

If you are curious and want to know more about this device and process, read on as we are giving you the benefits and uses of a laser marker.

What is a Laser Marker, and How Does It Work?

A laser marker is a device used in putting marks on materials using laser light. There are different ways to describe material processing using laser light. Two concepts are laser marking and laser engraving, which are sometimes used synonymously. Aside from those, laser etching is also used to describe the process of marking materials.

Laser marking uses a focused beam of light to mark the material’s surface. Once the laser beam interacts with the surface, it alters the properties and appearance of the material.  This is because when you use thunderlaser usa only targets specific areas on surfaces.  This beam only targets a specified area, which allows the laser marker to create precise, high-quality, and high contrast marks that can be read or scan easily. This makes laser marking ideal for applications where permanency and accuracy are critical.

There are different types of laser marking systems, and each of them works differently. Therefore, the correct process to use the machine depends on the material you are working with, and as well as the application you are using. But when using any kind of laser marker, it is important to follow all the instructions and safety guidelines.

Benefits of Using a Laser Marker

The use of a laser marker or the process of laser marking comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of them:

  • It is a non-contact process

Since a laser marker uses a laser beam, it means that it is not physically working with the material it is directed at. Therefore, it will only affect the area being heated, avoiding any abrasions or damage to the surrounding area of the material you are working with.

  • Laser markers do not strip away any material

Laser marking is a unique process that does not take away any of the material you are working with, unlike other processes, such as laser engraving. It’s because laser marking heats up the area that it is targeting, which causes oxidation. With this, there’ll be a color change beneath the surface of the material, leaving a permanent mark.

  • Laser markers can leave precise and high-quality markings

The process of laser marking can leave extremely precise, accurate, and high-quality marks that can be read clearly by the human eye and can be scanned easily by machines, too. These marks are also durable and can be traced with no trouble. This is very important because there are parts that are laser-marked that need to be traced back to their original source.

  • Laser markers can work with different materials

Another great thing about laser markers is that they work well with many different materials. This is essential because a lot of industries use different types of materials when they manufacture products and parts. Laser markers can work with materials, such as glass, plastics, metals, silicon, and ceramics.

  • Laser markers are environmentally friendly

The process of laser marking is environmentally friendly. It’s because it does not use chemicals or inks, which are found in many other traditional marking methods.

Where Laser Markers are Used

Laser marker

Laser markers are used in many industries for a range of applications. Here are some examples of where they are used:

  • Automotive Industry

As we’ve mentioned earlier, markings are very important when it comes to car parts. Therefore, laser markers are widely used in the automotive industry to mark parts and pieces that make up an automobile. They are used in part numbering for engine components, especially today that QR codes are now being used to label these parts. Aside from that, laser marking is also used on circuit boards, fuse boxes, instrument panel buttons, and body frames and panels.

  • Semiconductor Industry

Laser markers are also used in the semiconductor industry to mark small silicon materials that are seen in many electronics.

  • Medical Industry

Laser markers are used in the medical industry to make identification marks on medical equipment that can be traced easily.

  • Aerospace Industry

Laser markers in the aerospace industry are used to mark thousands of parts and pieces that make up an aircraft.

Conclusion

In the early days of manufacturing automobiles, companies only used handwritten stickers to label the important parts of cars. From that, labels have progressed to sophisticated bar codes that are laser marked on the car parts being processed. And it’s great to know that laser markers can be used in many other industries. Therefore, if you are planning on getting your own laser marker for your manufacturing company, make sure that you choose a machine that can match your production line seamlessly.