Laser Technology

Metal laser marking has been known and used for decades. However, its use until a few years ago was not aesthetic due to its poor quality. Thanks to the annealing technique, a good finish is achieved without damaging the metal surface, due to the low thermal and mechanical effects of the process. In addition, decorations or marks with great oxidation resistance are obtained. Metals such as steel, iron, aluminum, copper, brass, tinplate, etc. can be marked.

Polymer laser marking is based on the chemical modification of the surface. Carbonization has traditionally been used to achieve marking, but new techniques, such as the chemical reduction of certain pigments and dopants within the material, have shown an increase in quality. This new technique allows marks with aesthetic purposes, not just functional. Polymers such as ABS, PP, SAN, PC, etc. can be marked.

The laser marking in ceramics and glass is the most complex, due to the great chemical stability and high melting temperatures they present. If direct marking is not possible or does not meet the requirements, it is possible to mark indirectly through the use of laser-cured inks. In the case of transparent glasses, the mechanism used consists in modifying the crystalline structure , and modifying its opacity. It is also possible to make inner markings.

The laser marking on wood and cardboard is based on the carbonization of the surface to achieve the desired contrast. It is widely used in the packaging sector and in the packaging of products. In the case of wood, aesthetic finishes can also be achieved. To increase the contrast in cardboard you can use pre-printed inks by the cardboard manufacturer in the areas where you want to mark. These inks cure when marked by laser.

Laser cutting of metallic materials has been widely used in the industry for many years. The laser melts and vaporizes the metal in the area of ​​incidence, and by means of an advance through axes it makes the cuts with the required precision. All types of metals can be cut, such as steel, aluminum, brass, tinplate, etc. Thickness is a critical parameter for sizing the equipment and usually limits the cycle time. In many cases, the contribution of a gas is usually used to facilitate cutting.

The laser cutting of polymeric materials is based on the fusion and evaporation of the material avoiding thermally affecting the areas near the cut. The equipments used have less power than those used in metal cutting. It is possible to cut both transparent and opaque polymers. We have experience with many polymers such as ABS, PP, PMMA, SAN, PS, etc. The thickness of the polymeric material is limited since in large thicknesses the thermal effect of the cutting area cannot be avoided.

It is a thermal micro-cutting process in which the removal of material is carried out in a controlled manner in spaces below 100 um, allowing the creation of holes within the micrometric size material. The great advantage of these perforations is that if the thermal condition is low they can be invisible and only become visible with the passage of light, creating a new aesthetic effect. If a large number of holes are drilled on a surface, complex logos and decorations can be made.