Laser Marking and Engraving Metals

Polishing

Polishing leaves a white mark on stainless steel and other metals. It can be seen as a "lighter" way of engraving. The energy of the laser is reduced, which means that less material will be vaporized. The result is less ablation on a material like steel and a brighter marking. Regarding the parameters this means less power and higher speeds that result in less energy per distance and higher frequencies that result in less pulse energy. Polishing is not only possible on steel but on all metals.

Engraving

Engraving leaves a tangible mark on stainless steel and other metals. It leads to an ablation of the material on steel parts. The material vaporizes and the color changes. Due to the very high energy of the laser, materials like steel, titanium and other metals can be vaporized directly.
To achieve ablation, high powers and relatively slow and medium marking speeds are required. The lower the frequency, the higher the possible pulse energy. That means the lowest possible frequency should be chosen for engraving. The brown color that is left by the burned metal can be cleaned (see Polishing).

Since there are no setup costs as for example with pad printing, the costs per mark are always the same –whether you need 1 piece or 1000. The customer can work with different shapes or sizes at the same time. Laser engraving also does not incur any costs for consumables such as ink, chemicals, pastes or sprays (which also eliminates disposal costs). Energy consumption is low and setup time is reduced to a minimum.

• Direct marking does not increase costs for consumables such as inks, chemicals, pastes or sprays.
• The need for handling and disposing pricey materials is 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.

The laser is the perfect tool to mark with either just-in-time online data or with data imported from any external system (such as office programs, files, SAP, databases, etc.). High speed marking with variable data is possible e.g. serial numbers, codes.

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

Unlike other technologies, laser marking is permanent and abrasion, heat and acid resistant, which is a major requirement for data plates and industrial tags. Depending on the laser parameters, it is possible to mark certain metals (e.g. stainless steels) without leaving tangible depressions on the surface (annealing).

Advantages of a Trotec laser

• Product portfolio with matching fiber laser systems for all requirements
• Flatbed systems with processing areas of up to 726 x 432 mm
• Galvo workstations with processing areas of up to 620 x 315 mm
• OEM galvo fiber lasers for integration into production lines
• Custom-built systems according to customer requirements

• Precise and small shapes can be marked with extreme accuracy
• Marking processes can be combined to clean the material after processing or to provide a higher contrast (e.g. Data Matrix codes)

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

• Virtually any design can be created with the laser.
• It is even possible to create 1-point fonts and tiny 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 marking or engraving directly from the graphics program make everything as easy as printing

• 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.

SpeedMarker series: Industrial high-speed laser marking of aluminum, steel, various (coated) metals, precious metals and much more

ProMarker series: Perfect for personalizing promotional items. Creative and software-independent operation. Implementation of marking using your printer driver. High-speed laser marking of many metals and coated metals that is as easy as printing.