How to choose the type of laser marking machine based on the material?
To select the appropriate type of laser marking machine, it is essential to first identify the type of material to be marked, as different materials exhibit significant differences in laser absorption rates and response characteristics, which directly determine the effectiveness and suitability of laser marking. The following is a detailed guide for selecting a laser marking machine based on material type:
1. Metal Materials
- Suitable laser marking machine types: fiber laser marking machine, green laser marking machine.
- Reasons:
- Fiber laser marking machine: The 1064-nanometer wavelength of fiber lasers achieves high absorption efficiency on metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and copper, enabling high-contrast, moderately deep markings. It offers superior beam quality, high efficiency, long lifespan, and low maintenance, making it the preferred choice for metal processing.
- Green laser marking machines: Green lasers with a wavelength of 532 nm have higher absorption efficiency on non-ferrous alloys like copper and gold, forming bright white marks on these metal surfaces with better contrast than fiber lasers.
- Typical application scenarios: automotive parts, electronic components, hardware tools, medical devices, jewelry, etc.
II. Non-metallic materials
- Suitable laser marking machine type: CO? laser marking machine.
- Reason: The CO? laser marking machine has a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers, which has a high absorption rate for most non-metallic materials (such as wood, paper, plastic, acrylic, rubber, glass, leather, etc.), enabling smooth and natural marking effects. Its technology is mature and relatively cost-effective, making it suitable for large-area or deep engraving.
- Typical application scenarios: Food packaging, wood products, leather goods, plastic products, decorative gifts, building materials, etc.
3. Heat-sensitive materials
- Applicable laser marking machine type: UV laser marking machine.
- Reason: The wavelength of a UV laser marking machine is 355 nanometers, classified as a “cold processing” laser with an extremely small heat-affected zone (≤5 micrometers), preventing material deformation or discoloration caused by high temperatures. Its high photon energy can directly break material molecular bonds, achieving high-precision marking without burn marks.
- Typical application scenarios: Medical devices (e.g., syringes, surgical knives), electronic screens (e.g., OLED, LCD), food-grade plastics (e.g., PP, PE), precision ceramics, etc.
4. Transparent Materials
- Suitable laser marking machine type: UV laser marking machine.
- Reason: UV laser marking machines can create high-contrast micro-markings on transparent materials (such as glass, acrylic), with extremely high marking precision (line precision up to 0.005 millimeters).
- Typical application scenarios: glass products, acrylic products, electronic screens, etc.
5. Special Materials
- Applicable laser marking machine type: Select based on the specific material properties.
- Reason: For some special materials, such as PCB/IC chips, UV laser marking machines can achieve high-precision microtext marking; for materials like anodized aluminum, green laser marking machines provide better marking results.
- Typical application scenarios: PCB/IC chips, anodized aluminum, etc.
Summary
When selecting a laser marking machine, material properties are the primary consideration. Metal materials are typically suitable for fiber laser or green laser marking machines; non-metal materials are suitable for CO? laser marking machines; heat-sensitive materials and transparent materials are suitable for UV laser marking machines. Additionally, factors such as marking precision, contrast, durability, production environment, budget, and equipment maintenance costs should be comprehensively considered. Before purchasing, it is recommended to conduct sample testing to confirm that the marking results meet expectations.
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