cbrandauer
In several industries, direct part marking is an important process, making specific parts easier to identify by serial number, code or even logo. There are a number of methods that can be used to mark parts, but none with the results and efficiency of laser marking.
We’ve compiled a list of reasons for choosing laser marking over other methods such as ink jet printing, dot peen machine etching or hand engraving.
One of the biggest benefits of laser marking is that it is highly resistant and doesn’t fade over time, especially compared with other traceable marking methods, such as ink jet marking, dot peen marking, machine etching or hand engraving. For products that have lifetime traceability requirements, the durability of laser marking is not just a great advantage, but essential.
Laser marking marks without disrupting the surface of a material, instead oxidising under the surface.
Laser marking technology is much more advanced than other marking techniques and as a result, there are far fewer limits on what you can mark. For example, whilst many methods of marking are simply designed to fill one marking purpose, laser marking can be used for general purpose marking (such as serial numbers), a number of machine readable codes, including 2D, QR and barcodes, but also much more detailed images. Laser technology allows for complex images, text and logos to be marked onto a range of materials.
Laser marking can mark even notoriously difficult materials. This technique is commonly used for direct part marking of Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel, Aluminium, Brass, Beryllium Copper, Titanium, Nickle Silver, Phosphor Bronze, Copper and Copper Alloys. As well as marking many different metals, laser marking is also suitable for numerous polymer materials.
Many traditional methods of direct part marking require a flat, or straight surface to achieve a clear and accurate mark. For example, a dot peen marking machine may be programmed to strike its peen hammer only to a certain distance, so an uneven surface would make for an uneven mark.
By using laser technology, uneven or curved surfaces are not an issue as there is no physical hammer head that has to make contact with the surface. The laser simply heats the material, causing oxidation under the surface of the material to change its colour, whilst leaving the surface intact.
Laser marking is one of the fastest possible direct part marking processes. As a result, productivity can certainly improve during manufacture.
Laser marking provides for highly consistent, high-precision results even when marking highly complex graphics. This results in less inspection failures, less waste and generally helps to speed up the manufacturing process, as well as making marking much more legible throughout the lifetime of a product.
To learn more about how laser marking can improve your direct part marking processes, call Birmingham based company Brandauer today on +44 (0)121 359 2822.
