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Contact form Electronics and semiconductor industry
Laser marking of electronic and electrical components
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Products in the electronics and semiconductor industry are mostly mass-market products that are produced fully automatically in large numbers. Many parts, such as SMD components, are very small and need to be labelled with a lot of information. For this purpose small, complex 2D Data Matrix codes are used, which must be easily and permanently legible. Due to these requirements, the electronics industry has already made laser marking a standard procedure. Industrial laser (galvo) systems allow for a trouble-free, quick, fully or semi-automated labelling process.
Materials suitable for laser engraving
- Plastics: Laser marking by means of foaming or colour change
- Metals: Marking by means of annealing
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 flame retardant electrical insulating foils that act as separation 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?
Industrial 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 your existing production line.
Function and advantages of laser technology
Laser marking takes seconds allowing fast production times
- Very fast marking thanks to galvo technology
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- Maintenance-free galvo fiber lasers for fast marking of materials with minimal servicing
Cutting of electronic insulating foils
- Greater design flexibility
- Shorter "time-to-market" of products
- Cost reductions thanks to savings made on punching dies not required with a laser machine
- Higher cost efficiency in small series
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- GS Series with a 3-axis CO₂ galvo laser for efficient production
Integration into production lines
- Hardware and software integration into existing production lines is possible
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- Years of experience integrating OEM galvo industrial laser systems into production lines
- Software that meets all requirements for interfaces with other systems
Flexible, dynamic data can be marked
- A wide range of markings can be created from dynamic content without retooling or tool changes
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- 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 including serial numbers and codes
- A wide range of markings can be created without retooling or tool changes
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- 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 realised with the laser including logos, graphics and bar codes
- It is even possible to create 1-point fonts and designs with the smallest geometries that are still clearly legible
- Even photos can be implemented in the shortest possible time
Advantages of a Trotec laser machine
- 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 machine
- 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
Tips for laser marking electronics products
Is the surface of the electronic device damaged when engraving or marking?
Laser engraving and marking is a contactless process. Whilst traditional mechanical machines require the material to be fixated, industrial laser markers and flatbed laser plotters do not. The casings of electronic devices are mostly made from anodised aluminium, which can be processed with all types of laser, including CO2 lasers, which leaves the protective anodised coating intact.
Can you mark and engrave metal using a CO2 laser?
Laser marking with a CO2 laser is possible with the application of a special paste or spray. The spray or paste must be applied and left to dry prior to laser marking. The marking is burned into the metal using the laser.
It is possible to engrave anodised aluminium using a CO2 laser without any additional sprays or pastes.
The residue must be washed off post laser processing. It is important to note that not all metals are suitable for spray or paste marking. The sprays and pastes themselves are costly and time consuming to apply, while the process requires a lot of energy and thus the laser must be moved at an appropriately low speed. This process is beneficial to certain metals as the process allows you to create a high contrast.
When using a fiber laser for marking, such as an industrial galvo laser or a speedy flex machine, the material is marked directly. There are several different types of laser marking, including, engraving, annealing and coating ablation. A speedy flex machine is an excellent laser marking tool. Combining both a CO2 laser and a fiber laser in one machine, you can process a variety of different materials in a single job, including workpieces with mixed material composition. This is possible without manually changing the laser source. Within the patented JobControl laser software you can assign the desired laser source to each colour of the graphic.
