The inscribing of anodized aluminum or coated metals is especially easy with CO2 lasers. During the engraving of anodized aluminum, the inscribed surface becomes white, reason for which dark eloxal produces a particularly good contrast. With coated metals, the coating is removed and the base metal appears. Since CO2 lasers cannot inscribe metals directly without additives (or only with very large limitations), the metal layer remains intact. For this type of application, a laser system with low output is preferred, in order to execute inscriptions with fine structures.
In metal marking, individual parts are generally labelled with serial numbers, bar codes, data matrix codes or logos. Laser inscribers are especially well-suited to this task because they generate a permanent, indelible, forgery-proof, thermally and chemically-resistant metal marking on workpieces and systems. Laser marking also stands out for its high processing speeds, precision and flexibility.
Anodised aluminium is used primarily for the production of signs (e.g. type plates), or in the promotional materials industry (e.g. for ballpoint pens or key chains). However, anodised aluminium is also a popular material in the industrial sector.