In alone, over 320 million tons of plastic were produced worldwide. There&#;s a reason industries use so much of this material: It&#;s incredibly versatile and easy to engrave, etch and mark, which is a useful tool for brands and hobbyists alike.
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More and more people are using laser cutting technology to personalize plastic, forging brand logos or names onto unique merchandise and products. In the past, laser cutters and engravers weren&#;t widely accessible and were thus preserved for larger corporations that could afford the privilege of using this laser technology. However, thanks to these machines becoming more affordable and portable, smaller businesses can take advantage of what a laser beam has to offer.
On the surface, the concept behind laser engraving machines seems fairly straightforward &#; you can use them to create unique markings on different materials, such as wood, acrylic plastic and stainless steel. But many people don&#;t realize the options they have available when using a laser cutting machine. Understanding the difference between laser etching and laser engraving, as well as laser marking, can help determine which method is the best for you.
There are three central factors to consider when it comes to laser etching vs engraving:
Effect on the surface of the material
Depth of the laser
How the overall appearance is affected
In both laser etching and laser engraving, a part of the material&#;s surface is removed as the laser does its job, resulting in permanent markings. However, the depth of the laser is different in both of these processes, which consequently affects the appearance of the product.
Laser engraving is a great alternative to traditional engraving &#; not only can it execute the task faster, but the end result tends to be more legible. Moreover, it can be used on smaller objects, such as jewelry.
During laser engraving, the laser beam will physically remove material to create an impression that will ultimately reveal an image, noticeable at eye level and by touch. The laser uses high heat to vaporize the material and works quickly. The process can be repeated for deeper marks and is typically used for customized products, serial numbers and logos. Generally, laser engraving requires marks that are greater than 0.005 inches deep.
Depending on the type of laser engraver machine used, engraving can be performed on a variety of materials, including:
Plastic
Metal
Wood
Glass
Leather
C02 lasers are generally used for materials such as wood and plastic, while fiber lasers are used for metallic materials. Metals have a maximum for engraving (at 0.020 inches), but deep laser engraving can be performed on materials like graphite (which allows for a depth of 0.125 inches).
The main difference between laser engraving vs etching is that the depth of laser etching does not go beyond 0.001 inches. It also uses high heat, but the material is melted rather than vaporized, which results in a raised mark. This process can also affect the color, altering blacks, whites or grays.
A laser etcher can be used on certain metal surfaces (such as anodized or plated metals) and polymers, as well as ceramic materials. It can also be used for customization, but the effect is much smaller than that of laser engraving and may not even be noticeable at first glance.
Another term often used interchangeably with laser etching and engraving is laser marking. What really differentiates the laser marking process from the etching and engraving processes is that it doesn&#;t remove part of the surface area; rather, it discolors the material.
Laser markers are commonly used on metals (although they can be used for other materials). Laser marking works by utilizing a low-powered beam that moves slowly along the material, forging high-contrast marks without actually disrupting the material. As the laser moves, the material will heat, which results in oxidation below the surface. In addition to turning the material black, the low temperature of the laser causes annealing of the surface (which removes internal stresses and toughens the material).
Laser marking machines are commonly used to char plastic or anneal and discolor metals. One of their most frequent uses is for identification and traceability purposes such as the creation of barcodes, QR codes and logos. This is largely important for industries that need to trace objects for safety purposes; for instance, these codes can be used to identify the owner of medical devices or the factories from which car parts originate.
Now that you understand the fundamental differences between the laser engraving, etching and marking processes, it&#;s time to choose your machine. Whether you want to perform some laser engraving to make your product more personal or use a laser marker for part identification, it&#;s essential you choose a high-quality machine that can get the job done.
Thunder Laser USA offers a wide range of laser machines with different sizes and power levels. The machines utilize CNC routers, which let users select the calibration of laser depth and intensity as well as the thickness of cuts and marks. This increases the efficiency of the working process while also promising consistency among products.
Each of the laser cutting machines comes with a two-year warranty and includes amenities such as a water chiller, a cleaning kit, pass-through doors for larger-sized projects, an auto-focus feature and both an exhaust and an alarm lamp for user safety. Moreover, thanks to its overseas production, Thunder Laser USA can provide these high-quality machines and additions at a cost-effective price. Customers don&#;t have to worry about a drop in quality as Thunder Laser USA features a U.S.-based support team that&#;s ready to answer any inquiries and assist with the laser cutting process.
While these processes all have different purposes, each one is useful in making a product stand out. You&#;ll need to rely on laser marking to alter colors and create identification codes, laser engraving to deeply customize your product and laser etching to create any small, top-layer customizations. Contact Thunder Laser USA for help finding the machine you need for your engraving, etching and marking needs.
At TYKMA Electrox, our team specializes in precision laser marking, engraving, and etching systems, offering unparalleled expertise in the field.
Whether your application requires intricate markings, detailed engravings, or precise etchings on diverse materials, our advanced laser marking systems deliver the exceptional performance and repeatability you need to get the job done.
Our cutting-edge technology and skilled professionals are here to ensure high-quality results no matter what industry you&#;re working within. Explore our comprehensive guide below to understand the key differences between laser marking, engraving, and etching, and discover how our solutions can meet your specific needs.
Comprehensive Guide to Laser Marking, Laser Engraving, and Laser Etching
Zetalase&#; XL Class IV Laser Engraving SetupThanks to industrial and government regulations regarding clearly legible product and part identification, the processes of laser marking, laser etching, and laser engraving are increasing in popularity.
All three of these laser services provide permanent laser marking solutions, fulfilling regulations and adding distinction to your products and parts. But what sets them apart?
While the three techniques may seem similar, there are actually quite a few differences between them.
The differences between laser marking, laser engraving, and laser etching largely have to do with what each process does to the marking surface, including how deep the laser goes and how it changes the overall appearance.
Laser marking discolors the surface of the material, while laser etching and engraving actually removes a portion of the surface area as it marks. The major difference between laser etching and laser engraving is the depth to which the laser penetrates the surface.
Throughout this post, we will give you an overview of each of the processes and their applications to help you better determine which is right for your application needs.
Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences between laser marking, laser etching, and laser engraving. Each type of process has its own applications and attributes that make it ideal for different jobs.
TYKMA Electrox fiber laser systems are ideal for all types of laser marking, etching and engraving in a variety of materials and substrates.
Laser marking is what happens when the beam interacts with the surface of a material, slightly altering its properties or appearance. Some of the features of the laser marking process include the following:
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Laser marking differs from laser engraving and laser etching in a number of ways, including the following:
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Laser engraving is a process where the laser beam physically removes the surface of the material to expose a cavity that reveals an image at eye level.
Although laser engraving is a subsection of laser marking, it still differs in many ways:
Another important comparison to make is how laser engraving compares to traditional engraving practices include:
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Laser etching, which is a subset of laser engraving, occurs when the heat from the beam causes the surface of the material to melt.
The differences between laser etching, marking and engraving include:
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Let&#;s take a step back now and explain what exactly a laser is and how it works.
&#;Laser&#; is actually an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Throughout the years, the laser has become one of the most powerful manufacturing tools a company can use.
In order to create a laser, you raise the energy level of the atoms to an excited state, which enables them to release light as they fall back to their original energy, or ground state.
If we look back at the second word in the acronym, amplification, we will gain a better understanding of what a laser does. Once this beam of light is created, it is amplified to produce a focal point.
As the atoms begin to move, they create a weak light, and as more energy is added, the light waves become very concentrated. Unlike with other types of light (such as a flashlight), the light rays emitted from lasers all have the same wavelength and are coherent, which is what makes it such a powerful concentration of energy.
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The laser is one of the most versatile modern inventions. Laser etching, marking, and engraving are used in almost every industry, including:
Each industry has its own uses for lasers. In the manufacturing industry, for example, laser marking systems are used in a variety of everyday tasks, such as welding, cutting, cleaning, measuring, drilling, and sensing, as well as marking, etching, and engraving.
While there are other ways to mark materials, such as dot peen marking, they don&#;t give you the quality or environmentally friendly markings that you get with laser marking, laser etching, or laser engraving technologies.
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Whether you work in the automotive, aerospace, or medical device industry and you are working from a desk, you understand the importance of part identification. For each division of manufacturing, there are laws and regulations put in place regarding identification to reduce error and ensure part safety.
In the medical device industry, the Food and Drug Administration released a final rule in requiring all manufacturers to include a unique device identifier (UDI) on device labels and packages, except where the rule provides for an exception or alternative; but as of September , the FDA ruled that there must be visible dates on the labels of all devices, regardless if they are excepted from the rule. A UDI is a unique numeric or alphanumeric code that consists of two parts: a device identifier (DI) and a production identifier (PI). As of October , the ruling is still in effect.
The DI is a fixed portion that identifies the labeler and the version or model of the device, while the PI is used to identify several things, including the serial number, expiration date and the distinct identification code required for a human cell, tissue, or cellular and tissue-based product (HCT/P) regulated as a device.
The notion of part traceability is similar to that utilized by automotive and aerospace part manufacturers.
In the aerospace industry, engines, propellers and other replacement and modification parts are required to include certain registration and identification marking. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determines which information is appropriate to include, such as the builder&#;s name, model designation and certification &#; if any &#; among other things. These markings are required to be on a fireproof dataplate or a similarly approved fireproof method.
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Regulations for the medical device industry, the aerospace industry, and the automotive industry are designed to help increase safety for all types of parts.
For example, automotive companies utilize part traceability to increase safety and reliability in their vehicles. If a component fails, the manufacturer can quickly and easily determine when and where the part was produced, allowing for critical recalls and warranty decisions to be made sooner.
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At TYKMA Electrox, we provide our customers with the best technology, which is why we offer the most advanced laser marking, laser engraving and laser etching machines in the world.
Our Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) fiber laser technology has the capability to mark, engrave or etch on a variety of surfaces and materials, unlike other fiber laser marking systems that often have trouble processing some difficult or sensitive materials. Our machines allow you to easily engrave, mark or etch on materials ranging from gold and nickel plating to plastics and PCB.
Other benefits of our MOPA laser-powered marking, engraving and etching machines include:
Throughout the years, we&#;ve also expanded the capabilities of our machines to ensure that we can meet the diverse needs of the manufacturing industry.
From our color and 3D marking capabilities to our systems designed to work with multiple devices, our constant innovation is what has set us apart from other laser engraving machine manufacturers.
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With our laser etching, laser engraving and laser marking systems, you can achieve the clear, high-quality marks your company needs.
To learn more about our laser machines, and what they will accomplish for you, be sure to contact us and we&#;ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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