Each marking technology has its benefits and drawbacks. Between dot peening, inkjet printing, laser marking, and printed labels, the right solution is not always obvious. The key to choosing the best technology is to understand your marking requirements. This can be done by asking yourself the following questions.
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What is the part&#;s material and shape? Which type of identifier do you want? Do you have traceability requirements? How will the part be positioned during marking? What is the available marking time? Will the markings go through post treatments?
Before we help you answer these questions, let&#;s first go over each technology.
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Pros
Cons
Laser marking is the most versatile technology, using the energy of a laser beam to create high-quality markings directly on a part surface. Different types of lasers generate different wavelengths that are used for different materials. Typically, fiber lasers are used with metals while CO2 lasers are used with organic materials.
Also, there are multiple laser processes that offer different benefits. Laser etching is faster, laser engraving is more resistant, and laser annealing preserves the material&#;s corrosion resistance (ideal for stainless steel and chrome-plated parts).
Pros
Cons
Dot peening is a mechanical process that hits part surfaces with a stylus to indent them. The resulting markings can be felt by the touch and have almost no contrast.
Manufacturers often hesitate between dot peening and laser marking because both technologies generate permanent markings. Those who want to minimize their initial investment typically choose dot peening, while those who have higher quality requirements choose laser marking.
Pros
Cons
Inkjet printing applies high-quality ink on surfaces using a spraying nozzle. These systems are cost effective at first but come with recurring costs: ink needs to be replenished on a regular basis. The nozzle also needs to be cleaned to prevent the marking quality from degrading.
Pros
C
an apply labels on curved surfaces (when done manually)Cons
&#;Labelling is a marking technique that uses printed labels or tags that are sticked directly on the surface of the material. The surface needs to be as clean as possible before applying the label. The process is not considered permanent because labels can fall off, especially if the surface was dirty prior to applying the label.
The actual parts to be marked should be your starting point when choosing a technology. You need to make sure that it can address the parts&#; physical properties.
To do this, marking experts will ask you about the surface shape, metal alloy, part temperature, part size, number of cavities, and so on. These are all factors that will influence your choice of a marking system.
For example, all marking methods can create markings on a flat surface. But curved surfaces present a challenge that only laser marking systems or printed labels (when applied manually) can address.
Also, all marking technologies can be used to mark metals, but plastics are more challenging. For example, pneumatic dot peen systems are meant for hard materials and will damage plastic surfaces. If you choose dot peen marking for plastics, you need to opt for an electromechanical system since it has a lower force of impact.
Do you want to mark QR codes, data matrix codes, alphanumerical serial numbers, graphics, or logos? Your type of identifier will affect your choice of technology.
For example, if you need to mark logos or graphics, dot peen systems and inkjet printers are not a good solution because they do not create aesthetic results.
2D codes and alphanumerical serial numbers can be created by any type of marking system. However, if you are marking identifiers that must be read by inline machines with cameras, not all technologies are a good choice. Keep reading to learn more.
If marking for traceability, you need to consider how well your identifiers can be read by barcode readers or scanners.
Codes created by inkjet printing or dot peening are harder to read because of their variable or low contrast. These systems don&#;t always do well with inline reading. Ink is typically used for man-readable marks and its contrast is affected by the part finish. For dot peening, special lighting conditions are required to compensate for the low contrast.
If you need permanent marks, the best technologies are dot peening and laser marking, since the marks are directly engraved into the part. They are referred to as direct part marking technologies.
Printed labels and inkjet printing are not considered permanent. Printed labels can fall off, and inkjet printing can be affected by chemical aggression, solvents, or mechanical abrasion.
The part&#;s position during marking can limit your choice of a marking system. For this reason, marking experts will ask you if you plan to perform marking using conveyors, robots, or manual workstations. They will also ask for information such as the conveyor speed and the part positioning error.
Here are some examples where the part&#;s position is crucial for your choice of technology.
If you need to mark on the fly, dot peening is not an option since these systems need a perpendicular, physical contact to perform the marking.
If the part positioning error is too large, vision systems can be directly connected to laser marking systems to communicate positioning variations, allowing the laser to make the necessary adjustments.
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To integrate marking equipment directly in a production line, you need to make sure it can keep up with the cycle time and production volume. You can ask yourself questions like, &#;What is my current process cycle time between two parts?&#; and &#;What is the available marking time?&#;
This will help you choose the right automation equipment, and potentially eliminate marking technologies that can&#;t keep up.
Here is an example.
If you only have a few seconds to perform the marking operation, you should probably opt for laser marking, printed labels, or inkjet printing. Dot peen marking is a slower technology that can&#;t keep up with short cycle times.
The marking time itself is not everything; you need to account for the total cycle time. This could include robot movements for bringing pieces in and out, table rotations, fixing parts onto fixtures, and so on.
Some machines can create cycle time by performing the marking operation in hidden time. An example is the rotary laser marking machine. While one part is loaded onto the rotary table, another one is marked on the other side. This means you can deduct the robot&#;s or operator&#;s loading time from the total cycle time. Those become operations done in &#;hidden time&#; during the marking operation.
Automation features can help you meet your production goals, which is why you should take the time to explain your entire process when discussing with marking experts.
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With current traceability regulations, an increasing number of manufacturers need to implement the marking operation at that start of production. This is used to track products throughout the supply chain&#;from the beginning to the end of their lifecycle. Complete traceability helps fight product counterfeiting, minimize the size of recalls, and control quality.
These regulations create marking challenges that were nonexistent before and force manufacturers to switch technologies.
Parts marked early in a manufacturing process may go through post treatments such as sandblasting, shotblasting, powder coating, e-coating, or heat treating.
Post treatments can remove identifiers, make them unreadable, or drastically reduce their readability. If this is the case, you need a technology that ensures readability through the part&#;s lifecycle.
For this reason, printed labels and inkjet printing are falling out of popularity in several applications. Both types of marks are removed by most post treatments and should not be used to implement complete traceability. One exception is printed labels, which can resist heat treatments by using expensive high-tech papers and plastics.
Dot peen systems maintain traceability through some post treatments (such as coatings) by creating deep markings, but the resulting low mark quality leads to poor readability.
When it comes to post process resistance, the best solution is laser marking. There are laser etching and laser engraving processes that maintain traceability through powder coating, e-coating, heat treating, and shotblasting.
When the time comes to choose a technology, keep in mind there is no one-size-fits-all marking solution. We hope that the considerations provided in this article helped you find a solution.
You can use the overview provided at the beginning to quickly see if a tech applies to your situation.
And when in doubt, ask an expert.
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Over time, we often use both laser and non-laser technologies in engraving. But after using it, I found that metal laser engraving is the best among all materials. The industry will use the advanced technology of metal laser engraving. Metal laser engraving machine can be divided into metal fibre marking machine and metal laser engraving machine.
We often use metal laser engraving machines in our daily engraving work. It is an improved version of the traditional engraving machine. This metal is strong, durable, heat-resistant and soft. It has a beautiful appearance. At the same time, the metal laser engraving machine is more convenient than ordinary engraving machines.
The application range of laser engraving machine is extensive. Can use it for communication equipment, electronic equipment, instruments, etc. The intensity of laser engraving is very high. You can leave a permanent mark on the part. This function can maintain the uniqueness of the merchant&#;s product. And the engraving mark will never disappear. Therefore, large independent companies like it very much. A computer controls the laser engraving machine. It will not deform the device after the engraving is completed. At the same time, metal laser engraving is fast and accurate. It can effectively save materials.
A computer controls the laser engraving machine. Therefore, you can also adjust the size of the laser beam area. The lens with small spots is used for high-resolution engraving. A large spot lens is used for lower resolution engraving. So can apply it to various occasions. The metal laser engraving machine is viral among business people. At the same time, it uses the rate to control the cutting depth. So the laser engraving machine can also adjust the speed and save time.
Next, let&#;s talk about the working principle of the metal laser engraving machine. The application range of laser engraving machine is extensive. Can use it for communication equipment, electronic equipment, instruments, etc. The intensity of laser engraving is very high. You can leave a permanent mark on the part. This function can maintain the uniqueness of the merchant&#;s product. And the engraving mark will never disappear. Therefore, large independent companies like it very much. A computer controls the laser engraving machine. It will not deform the device after the engraving is completed. At the same time, metal laser engraving is fast and accurate. It can effectively save materials.
A computer controls the laser engraving machine. Therefore, you can also adjust the size of the laser beam area. The lens with small spots is used for high-resolution engraving. A large spot lens is used for lower resolution engraving. So can apply it to various occasions. The metal laser engraving machine is viral among business people. At the same time, it uses the rate to control the cutting depth. So the laser engraving machine can also adjust the speed and save time.
Laser engraving machine can improve the efficiency of engraving. The surface of the object carved with it is best to be smooth. If we engrave non-metallic materials, then we can quickly reduce their temperature. It can perform fine engraving on various non-metallic materials. Metal engraving machine can be divided into two kinds of laser marking machine and laser engraving machine.
Metal laser engraving machines have many applications in the decoration industry. I will focus on wood carving next. The first one introduced is the log. Logs are untreated wood. It is the most common laser processing material among us. It is easier to carve and cut than other woods.
Each type of wood has its characteristics. The laser evaporates the wood quickly. Engraving machine engraving wood is more suitable for group carving. When we are carving, the carving depth should not be too deep. The edge of the cut plywood of wood is black. But the degree of blackening depends on the wood of the plywood.
Also, if the colour of the wood is very light, you can increase the engraving speed and try to engrave multiple times. In some woods, oily smoke will stick to the surface of the wood during the carving process. If the wood has been painted, please wipe it carefully with a damp cloth before carving. Try to wipe the wood surface clean. Because doing so can prevent stains on the surface of the final product. You can moisten the wood with water or take some measures to avoid floating wood particles produced in carving wooden materials. Because the engraving machine is blocked, long term accumulation will affect the service life.
With the popularization of laser engraving technology, laser engraving technology is gradually applied to printing plates on paper packaging materials in the printing and packaging industry. The cost of metal laser engraving is meagre, only a quarter of the price of resin plates. Therefore, laser plate making is usually used as a carton packaging printing plate in the current printing and packaging industry. Metal laser engraving uses laser dots for engraving. Therefore, we should try to use metal laser engraving. Because it can reduce the colouring process, save costs, and it also enriches the expression techniques of sculpture.
Laser engraving crafts refers to the use of lasers to project onto the surface of the material. The laser makes physical and chemical changes on the surface of the material to obtain engraved crafts. The most common material in our daily life is plexiglass. It is easy to be laser cut and carved into various shapes. And the cost is relatively low, so it has become the most commonly used engraving material in the handicraft industry.
After laser engraving, it will become white in sharp contrast with the original transparent texture. After engraving can produce a contrast effect. The plexiglass produced by calendering is still transparent after laser engraving. Such glass has no contrast effect, so it is rarely used now.
Another metal laser engraving technique is to try to turn the craft into flat crystals or glass. It is also necessary to try to find a relatively flat side during engraving. Engraving can use coloured paper to engrave glass materials. Wet the coloured paper when carving, and cut it to the sculpture&#;s size as much as possible. Then stick it on the glass&#;s surface and wait for the coloured paper to dry completely before engraving. Also, a thin layer of soap can be applied to the area to be carved because soap helps to dissipate heat.
Now the leather industry also uses metal laser engraving machines. It eliminates slow speed, complex typesetting, low efficiency and severe waste in traditional manual cutting. The metal laser engraving machine is fast and easy to operate. It has brought considerable benefits to the development of the leather industry. Input the cropped graphics and size into the computer. The laser engraving machine cuts the entire material into the required finished product according to the computer&#;s data.
The metal laser engraving machine does not require tools and moulds, saving a lot of human resources investment. Therefore, laser engraving machines are also widely used in the leather industry. Laser cutting machines have many advantages compared with traditional cutting methods. First of all, the first advantage is that the edges of the leather cut will not turn yellow during the laser cutting machine&#;s cutting process. It can also automatically close or curl the edge to deform.
The size of laser-cut leather is consistent and precise. Can cut many complicated shapes through computer design graphics. It has high efficiency and low cost. No mechanical pressure is applied to the workpiece during processing, safe operation and simple maintenance.
Finally, do you know how to maintain the metal laser engraving machine?
The consumable of the laser engraving machine is the laser head. It is recommended not to over-engrave at once. It would help if you let the machine rest and keep the power to continue to engrave.
So how do we choose a suitable laser engraving machine? I think persistence alone is no longer enough. We must consider all aspects. From an aesthetic point of view, we must choose the currently popular cabinet design style. Its appearance is beautiful, and the internal structure is orderly. This is also ideal for saving space.
You may think that appearance is not essential. But in fact, the unique internal structure design is necessary. In the overall planning, the design should avoid using the exposed structure of traditional machine tools. The shell should enclose the internal organization so that its shape is as large as a conventional machine tool. It must be fully functional, so it is easy to operate and clean, and beautiful.
The design of the metal laser engraving machine should be safe and reliable. It must meet the aesthetic and work needs of users. Give people a simple, secure and reliable experience. Its electronic control system is fully automatic, and the operations of the control components are concentrated on the computer control panel. We press the switch button to automatically enter the fully automatic operation state, safer and worry-free.
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