Trotec Laser Inc.
Customer support
Phone: +1-734-720-9997
E-Mail: usa@troteclaser.com
Contact form Laser engraving
laminates
For advertising signs, door signs, information signs, dataplates, nameplates
What are laminates?
Laminate sheets are ideal for both exterior and interior applications, which makes them especially popular for laser engraving. Offered in a variety of colors and effects, they are commonly used for applications such as labels, signage, control panels, dataplates, door signs and more.
What are laminates?
Laminates are composed of a core layer of modified acrylic, often offered as a 2-ply or 3-ply plastic that has been coated with a thin top layer. Laminate sheets may be comprised of flexible laminates or rigid laminates. When laser engraving laminates, the color of the core material is revealed which creates a two-tone appearance.
Impressions
Why should I buy a laser for engraving laminates?
The laser beam is a universal tool for material processing, so unlike conventional systems like drills and mill cutters, there is no need for unnecessary tool or grinding costs. Some mechanical processes require materials to often be fixed with a vacuum or even clamped in place, but with laser technology, this extra step is eliminated saving consumers both time and money.
Function and advantages of laser engraving technology
Cost-effective and efficient engraving
- Efficiently produce complex markings and contours on even the most unique shapes
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Speedy series: Offering a maximum processing speed of 140 in/sec and an acceleration of 5 g, our Speedy systems are the fastest laser engravers available on the market
Contactless processing
- Compared to other processing methods, laser systems save time with no additional fixating of materials required
- No wasted materials because of warping
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Easy handling with multifunctional table concept
Simple high-quality digital manufacturing
- Create designs in your usual graphics program and then simply send the job to the printer with the printer command
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- JobControl® laser software: Simply intuitive. Work efficiently.
Fine tools
- Laser engraving fine details and even the small fonts can be achieved
- Universal tool for all tasks
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Optimal beam performance and ideal optics
No wear and tear on tools
- Contactless processing provides no unnecessary wear on the laser beam
- No additional costs required for new tools
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Particularly long service life from CeramiCore laser sources
Application examples for laminates
Engraving laminates with a laser machine allows businesses to create products with long-lasting engravings and markings. Capable of processing materials of even the most unique shapes and sizes, laser processed markings make your final products both interesting and superior in quality.
- Dataplates
- Signage
- Advertising signs
- Labels
- Nameplates
- Object signpostings
- Switchboards
"The flexibility of the laser to cut and etch many different types of materials means that I rarely have to turn away business. It is such a versatile tool. We saw over and over again how happy people were with the speed, size and reliability that the Trotec offered over other products. It was an easy decision and we have not looked back.."- Greg Watson, - Cut Out Laser (Allen, TX) -
Trotec product recommendation
Tips for engraving laminates
Can all types of laminate be laser engraved?
Depending on the laminate being processed, some are best suited for laser engraving while others for use with milling machines, and only laminates manufactured for laser use should be laser engraved. Trotec offers a wide and expansive portfolio of high-quality engravable materials, designed specifically for laser engraving, marking, and cutting. Learn more.
What should be kept in mind when it comes to laminate engraving?
Using a vacuum table is recommended while laser engraving laminates, as it secures the material to the table while processing. Typically, laminate sheets with a thinner topcoat can be ablated faster.
Laminates – engraving from bottom to top
To avoid unnecessary post-processing, laminates should be laser engraved from the bottom up to ensure that any dust produced is extracted upwards, and there is no discoloration to the top layer. In JobControl® under “Plate" → “Set plate," the laser can be positioned as desired and the edge where the laser begins engraving can be specified.
Avoid the formation of grooves by defocusing
Slight grooves are occasionally produced during the engraving process, and by using a Z-offset of 0.5 to 2 mm, such imperfections can be avoided allowing you to achieve clean and smooth results.
Dark laminate with bright topcoat
When processing laminates, there is the opportunity for cutting soils to remain on the top layer of the material depending on type and technique used. For example, say you use a dark laminate with a bright top layer for engraving and then cut the workpiece after, you might run into this issue. Our tip: Engrave the desired design and then apply masking tape! This preventative practice will protect the light-colored laminate during the cutting process, and then the tape can be easily pulled off of the material removing any dust along with it.