Trotec Laser Inc.
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Phone: (734) 927-6300
E-Mail: usa@troteclaser.com
Contact form Laser marking and laser engraving metal
Metals such as aluminum, silver, steel, stainless steel and many more
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When it comes to engraving and marking on metals, lasers are an effective and efficient tool. Metals of all types, hard or soft, can be marked accurately, legibly, and quickly with a laser. Annealing, with certain metals such as steel alloys, allows for corrosion-resistant marking. Through this process, there is no damage done to the surface's structure, and the mark is permanently applied. This process and more explain why laser metal marking can be useful to a wide range of industries. From marking industrially produced products for traceability to the personalization of promotional items with logos or names, the possibilities are vast.
Suitable metals for laser marking and engraving:
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
- Anodized aluminum
- Hardened metals
- Alloyed steels
- High-speed steels
- Titanium, titanium alloys
- Carbides
- Brass
- Copper
- Precious metals (e.g. silver, gold)
- Coated metals
Would you like more information about laser marking and laser engraving metals?
WHICH METAL PRODUCTS DO YOU WANT TO MARK?
Industrial laser marking
Examples of applications
Laser marking of metals in the industrial sector
Applications for laser marking metal
Laser marking of metals is typically used for product traceability features and codes. This method is commonly used in the electronics industry and for mechanical engineering and tool manufacturing. Laser marking can also be used to process sheet metal, medical technology, promotional products, jewelry, and automotive parts.
Color marking on stainless steel
A specific type of metal annealing allows for color marking stainless steel; a process utilized by our MOPA laser. This particular laser machine is capable of marking stainless steel with a variety of reproducible colors, providing processors the ability to label their products with color designations. Whether it's for identification marking using company logos, or functional marking using temperature indications, this is a valuable capability to metal processors.
Laser applications in the industry:
- Product labeling as protection against plagiarism
- Functional laser marking e.g. size, diameter, etc.
- Production information e.g. date of production, batch or serial number
- Codes for permanent traceability
- Data matrix codes for quality assurance
- Lasering nameplates etc.
Typical industries for color marking
- Kitchen appliance manufacturers who would like to display their color logo on the stainless steel fronts of the appliances
- Manufacturers of knives and cutlery who want to enhance their stainless steel products with color logos
- Engravers and job shops looking to expand their product portfolios and offerings
- Stainless steel trim part processors from other industries who want to stand out with color markings
Industrial laser marking: Examples of applications
What is the point of buying a laser for industrial metal marking?
Contactless, permanent metal marking:
The marking of metals using a laser engraving machine is a very precise and clean form of metal processing. Markings such as serial numbers, data matrix codes and logos can be added to products and components in the highest resolution. The metal marking or engraving is done by the laser, without contact, and requires no pre- or post-processing. The annealing marking ensures a permanent, acid-, chemical- and corrosion-resistant laser marking without damaging the metal surface.
Function and advantages of laser technology
Cost-efficient production
- No increase in costs for consumables such as inks, chemicals, pastes or sprays
- No need for handling and disposing of pricey materials
- No pre- or post-treatments are required
- No tool wear
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Ability to integrate the Speedmarker as a maintenance-free, fiber laser work station into a production line
- Minimal servicing after years of intensive use thanks to the robust mechanics of Trotec laser systems
Marking takes seconds and allows greater output
- Perform high speed marking with variable data such as serial numbers and codes
- Process a wide range of markings without retooling or tool changes.
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Enhance ease of use with intelligent and intuitive marking software
- Quickly and accurately position components with the camera system: SpeedMark Vision Smart Adjust
- Integrate content from ERP files.
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
Perfect marking results - fine tools
- 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
Incredible design opportunities
- 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
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.
Color marking on stainless steel
- The laser can even produce color markings on stainless steel.
- Exclusive marking of color logos
- Functional color marking on stainless steel products
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- With the MOPA laser, reproducible colors can be laser marked
- Application consultations from Trotec experts
- Intuitive marking software that can be used to do easy multicolor annealing marking
Trotec Product Recommendations
for industrial laser applications
Laser engraving for advertising material and signs
Examples of applications
Laser marking of advertising materials, signs and much more
Typical applications for a laser engraver for metals are the individualization of advertising materials and gifts or signs, as well as industrial applications.
Applications for laser engraving metal
- Door signs
- Nameplates
- Cutlery
- Thermos flask, hip flask
- Pocket knife
- Key Fobs
- Picture frames
- Locks
- Lighters
- Bottle openers
- Mobile phones, tablets, laptops
- Jewelry
Typical industries:
- Advertising and gift industry
- Sign makers
- Engravers
Inspirations for laser applications
What is the point of buying a laser for the laser marking of advertising materials?
Permanent and cost-effective metal engraving and marking
If you are looking for a precise, clean approach to metal processing, marking and engraving might be the solution for you. Annealing marking generates an acid-, chemical- and corrosion-resistant mark without any disturbance to the metal surface. Now you can permanently and cost-effectively refine metal advertising materials and signs with texts, logos or images without contact, and no pre- or post-processing.
Function and advantages of laser technology
Diverse design options using the laser
- Practically any design can be implemented with the laser
- Complete freedom in the design of texts, logos, designs, barcodes or serial numbers
- Even photos can be implemented within a very short time.
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- JobControl® laser software: easy and intuitive to use like a printer
Laser marking is a non-contact material processing
- Material does not need to be firmly clamped or fixed
- Time saving and consistently good results
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Broad product portfolio with suitable laser system for every requirement
Laser marking enables cost-effective production
- Direct marking means no costs for consumables such as inks, chemicals, pastes or sprays.
- The handling and often expensive disposal of these materials is also dispensed with.
- No pre- and post-treatment required
- No tool wear
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Speedy flexx laser machines or SpeedMarker with maintenance-free fiber lasers
- The robust mechanics of the Trotec laser systems are designed for years of intensive use with minimal servicing.
Laser engraving is a permanent marking
- The metal engraving is permanent, abrasion-resistant, unforgeable and also thermally and chemically resistant.
Advantages of a Trotec laser
- Broad product portfolio with suitable laser system for every requirement.
Trotec Product Recommendation
for the laser marking of promotional items, signs and much more
Laser engraver Speedy flexx
CO2- and fiber lasers in one laser machine for maximum flexibility and endless applications.
Contact us
You want to learn more about Trotec lasers and applications?
Our laser experts are happy to answer your questions about our products and laser processing. They will help you discover all the possibilities of lasers. One solution, thousands of possibilities. Additionally we invite you to see our lasers and applications at one of our demonstration facilities.
What are the possibilities for laser marking metals?
There are several methods for marking, etching, and engraving metals. Depending on the material and the quality requirements, aluminum, steel, stainless steels, and additional metals can be engraved, marked or polished using a laser beam. Each method has differing advantages and disadvantages.
How does the laser engraving of metals work?
Engraving is largely used for processing stainless steel, alloyed metals, and other metals. Engraving or deep engraving, depending on the level of material removal, leaves a prominent marking on the surface. During removal, the material evaporates, and the color changes. Due to the high energy of the laser engraver, materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and other metals are directly vaporized. The brown color that is left behind on the metal can be cleaned using other marking processes (see polishing).
How does polishing work?
Polishing acts as a lighter form of engraving. In some cases, this process leaves a white marking on particular metals, like stainless steel. The energy of the laser is reduced so that less of the material evaporates, therefore less is removed.
How does the laser marking of metals work?
During the laser marking or annealing marking process, there is no surface material removed. By heating the metal, however, a color change is achieved. For example, the color of the stainless steel changes at temperatures between 200°C and 300°C. Different colors can be produced at different temperatures. Most mark to reach a “perfect black” color. Perfect black markings are attainable on stainless steel and titanium, but not on other metals. Annealing is also possible on alloys that contain iron.
Engrave and mark metals with CO2 or fiber lasers?
When it comes to fast, quality metal marking, the fiber laser is the perfect tool. Results are consistent, precise with fine details, and do not require pre- or post-treatment of the metal.
It is possible to mark uncoated metals using only a CO2 laser engraving machine and laser marking solutions. First, apply the metal marking solution to the workpiece. Once dry, it will burn into the material during processing. Once the laser process has finished, the excess marking paste must be washed off.
It is important to remember that cleaning is essential when marking sensitive surfaces with laser marking sprays. Follow all safety regulations since these marking solutions are classified as hazardous materials.
