Jacqui, Jandra, Jenny, Joanne, Sarah
Customer support
Phone: +61-1300-TROTEC
E-Mail: australia@troteclaser.com
Contact form Laser marking and engraving plastics
for polyamide, polyethylene, ABS and many other plastics
Plastic types suitable
Plastics can be marked or engraved with lasers in a variety of ways. With a fiber laser, you can mark many different commercially used plastics, such as polycarbonate, ABS, polyamide, and many more with a permanent, quick, high-quality finish. Thanks to the low set-up times and flexibility a marking laser offers, you can mark even small batch sizes economically.
Plastic types suitable
for laser engraving
- Polyamide (PA)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyoxymethylene (POM)
- Polyarylsulfone (PSU, PPSU)
- Poly ether ketone (PEEK)
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS)
- Polyimide PI
- Polystyrene PS
- Polymethylmetacrylate PMMA
- Polyester (PES)
- Polyethylene terephthalate PET
- Silicone
Impressions
Application examples made of plastic
Applications
"It is possible to permanently engrave almost any type of plastic, although the various raw materials, color pigments and additives (e.g. fillers, additives, flame retardants) react very differently.
For laser marking plastics, the fiber laser offers you a range of different methods, such as dyeing, carbonation or foaming. Since various plastics react very differently, you should always test a material sample."
Here are some applications:
- Housings made of plastic
- Electric plugs
- Electronic components
- Printed circuit boards (PCB)
- Automotive parts
- Keyboards
- Tools and handles of tools
- Buttons and switches with day & night design
- Identification tags for animals
- Packaging
- Films
- Sensors
Why should I buy a laser for marking plastics?
- Non-contact laser marking is very fast as well as abrasion, heat and acid resistant.
- Many different plastics can be marked or engraved with a laser
- All kinds of contents including logos, codes, serial numbers and fully dynamic contents from ERP systems, etc. can be used
- Even smallest components and details can be marked quickly and easily with the laser in difficult to access areas.
Function and advantages of laser technology
Permanent engravings
- Unlike other technologies, laser marking is permanent and abrasion, heat and acid resistant
- Especially important for traceability and quality assurance
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Product portfolio with matching fiber laser systems for all requirements
- Flatbed systems with processing areas of up to 1500 x 1250 mm
- Galvo workstations with processing areas of up to 1120 x 653 mm
- OEM galvo fiber lasers for integration into production lines
- Custom-built systems according to customer requirements
Cost-efficient production
- Direct marking does not increase costs for consumables, such as inks, chemicals, pastes or sprays.
- The need for handling and disposing pricey materials are eliminated.
- No pre- or post-treatments are required
- Tool wear is eliminated
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- The SpeedMarker with a maintenance-free fiber laser can be integrated as a laser workstation or into a production line
- The robust mechanics of Trotec laser systems have been designed for many years of intensive use with minimal servicing
Markings take seconds and allows greater output
- High-speed markings are possible with variable data (e.g. serial numbers, codes)
- A wide range of markings are possible without retooling or tool changes
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Intelligent and intuitive 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
Perfect marking results - fine tools
- Precise and small shapes can be marked with high precision advantages
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Ideal optics and optimal beam performance thanks to high-quality components
- Camera-based component positioning for high precision and ease of use
Incredible design opportunities
- Virtually any design can be created with the laser.
- It is even possible to create 1-point fonts and small shapes that are still clearly legible.
- Complete freedom in the design of markings, logos, designs, bar codes or serial numbers
- Even photos can be produced in the shortest possible time
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- DirectMark or JobControl software for laser engravings that are produced directly from the graphics program make it 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 markings even on your "first attempt" thanks to camera-assisted positioning
Trotec product recommendation
Clear contrast and better (machine) readability with MOPA laser
More options for marking plastics
Many plastics can be marked with the conventional fiber laser. Most of the time, the marking result is very good, but for some plastics, the same level of homogeneity cannot always be achieved. These types of plastics can then be marked with a MOPA laser, which results in much more contrast and homogeneity. The adjustable pulse durations, which allow either short or long pulses, also help.
With dark plastics (such as PA 66 GF, PA 6 GF, PP GF, etc.), the surrounding material is less heated thanks to the short pulses and the associated low pulse energy. The plastics foam less and the marking is more homogeneous. Other plastics require more energy to heat up the material sufficiently. In this case, the long pulses help to optimize the foaming of the material. In both cases, marking with the MOPA laser leads to a more clear contrast and therefore to better (machine) readability.
Methods of laser marking on plastics
Foaming
Foaming leaves a tangible mark on the material. It can be seen as laser-induced boiling, which melts the surface. Due to the rapid cooling, bubbles are encapsulated in the material. These bubbles leave a positive mark, which is tangible.
The laser works on a low power level and longer pulses. Foaming works on all polymers, but also on some metals. Depending on the material the mark is light or dark.
Carbonizing
Carbonizing enables strong contrasts on bright surfaces. During the carbonizing process the laser heats up the surface of the material (minimum 100° C) and oxygen, hydrogen or a combination of both gases is emitted. What's left is a darkened area with higher carbon concentration.
The laser works with lower energy, which leads to slightly longer marking times compared to other processes. Carbonizing can be used for polymers or bio-polymers such as wood or leather. Since carbonizing always leads to dark marks, the contrast on dark materials will be rather minimal.
Color change
Color change on the material guarantees highest legibility. Laser marking with color change is basically an electrical process, which reorders the macromolecules (by changing the direction). No material is removed, but partial foaming is possible.
The laser works with a maximum pulse rate but low energy per pulse. Otherwise material would be removed or foaming might occur. Color change works on all polymers and the change of color can be bright or dark. Most color changes are dark.
Removing
Removing is used with multilayer plastics (laminates). During the removal process the laser beam removes the top layers, which had been applied to the base material. This results in color contrasts due to color differences in the layers.