Trotec Laser International
Customer support
Phone: +43-7201-15288
E-Mail: trotec@troteclaser.com
Contact form Electronics and semiconductor industry
Laser marking of electronic and electrical components
Products in the electronics and semiconductor industry are mostly mass-market products that are produced fully and automatically in large numbers. Many parts, such as SMD components, are very small and need to be labeled with a lot of information. For this purpose small, complex 2D Data Matrix codes are used, which must be permanent and easily legible. Due to these requirements, the electronics industry has already made laser marking a standard procedure. Galvo laser systems allow for a trouble-free, quick, fully or semi-automated labeling process.
Materials suitable for laser engraving
- Plastics: Laser marking by means of foaming or color change
- Metals: Marking by means of annealing
Impressions
Application examples in the electronics industry
Electronic components and PCB boards are marked with permanent, solder resistant and easy-to-read laser markings. These labels serve as identification for traceability, internal quality assurance or trademark protection. Another application in the electronics industry is laser cutting of flame retardant electrical insulating foils that act as a separator between electronic components and printed circuit boards. In prototype construction, the CO₂ laser offers advantages over conventional methods, such as punching.
- PCB boards
- Electronic components
- Housings
- Cutting of insulation films
- Circuit breakers and much more
Why should I buy a laser for component marking?
Laser marking systems are capable of permanently and quickly engraving most materials that are used in the electronics and semiconductor industry with a high-contrast finish. Depending on the requirements and piece numbers, they can be introduced as a stand-alone laser workstation or fully integrated into the production line.
Function and advantages of laser technology
Markings take seconds and allow fast cycle times
- High speed marking thanks to galvo technology
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Maintenance-free galvo fiber lasers for faster markings with minimal servicing
Cutting of electronic insulating foils
- Greater design flexibility
- Shorter "time-to-market" times (turnaround)
- Cost reductions from savings made on punching dies
- Higher cost efficiency in small series
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- GS Series with a 3-axis CO₂ galvo laser for efficient production
Integration into production lines
- Hardware and software-sided integration into existing production lines is possible
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Years of experience of integrating OEM galvo laser systems into production lines
- Software that meets all requirements for interfaces with other systems
Flexible, variable data can be marked
- A wide range of markings can be created from variable content without retooling or tool changes
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Intelligent and intuitive SpeedMark marking software that can easily process data from existing ERP systems and all dynamic contents in codes
Marking takes seconds and increases output
- High speed marking with variable data is possible (e.g. serial numbers, codes)
- A wide range of markings can be created without retooling or tool changes
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Marking software for ease of use
- Fast and highly accurate positioning of components by means of a camera system: SpeedMark Vision – Smart Adjust
- Integration of contents from ERP files is possible
Incredible design opportunities
- Virtually any design can be produced with the laser: Logos, designs, bar codes etc.
- It is even possible to create 1-point fonts and small geometries that are still clearly legible
- Even photos can be implemented in the shortest possible time
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- DirectMark or JobControl software for laser marking directly from the graphics program make everything as easy as printing
Non-contact and reliable material processing capabilities
- There is no need to firmly clamp down or fixate materials
- Time savings and consistently good results
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Broad product portfolio with the right laser system for every requirement
- Highly accurate laser marking even on your "first attempt" thanks to camera-assisted positioning
Trotec product recommendation
Tips for marking electronics products
Is the surface of the electronic device damaged by engraving?
The laser works contactless, i.e. in contrast to classical mechanical engraving, the workpiece does not have to be fixated in the laser device. The casings of electronic devices are mostly made of anodized aluminum. Since CO2 lasers can process metals, if at all, only with additional implements, the metal surface remains intact.
Can metal be engraved with a CO2 laser, too?
When marking with CO2 lasers, it is necessary to apply a special paste or spray, which must be applied to the workpiece and dried before the laser process. The marking is then burned into the metal with the laser.
After the laser process, the residues of the paste or spray must be washed off. For this operation, a lot of energy is required; thus, the laser must be moved at an appropriately low speed. On some metals, high contrast can be achieved by using this process, while it should be noted that not all metals are suitable for paste or spray marking. The necessary pastes or sprays are very expensive, and the whole process is very time-consuming. It is possible for metals to be directly marked with a fiber laser. There is a distinction made between engraving, annealing marking, and coating ablation. The devices of the Speedy flexx series are equipped with a CO2 and a fiber laser. You can use both laser sources in a single job without having to manually change the laser source, the lenses or the focus. The patented JobControl® laser software makes it possible: Simply assign the desired laser source to each color of the graphic.