At COUTH, we give you details on the amazing laser marking and engraving on metal technique that uses advanced technology, broadly used in different industrial sectors, such as manufacturing, automobile, jewellery, and many more.
What is laser marking and engraving on metal?
Laser marking and engraving on metal is a technique that consists of using a high-powered laser beam to mark or engrave designs, texts, or codes on different kinds of metals.
This marking or engraving process has become the preferred option in comparison with other conventional methods, such as mechanical engraving or the use of chemical products. This is because laser marking offers precise, long-lasting, and high-quality results without damaging the metal’s surface.
In fact, this is an automated procedure, which provides fast, uniform results and the design can be precisely reproduced, even to microscopic detail.
In short, laser marking and engraving on metal is an innovative, highly effective, and high-value technique for a multitude of industrial sectors.
Characteristics of laser marking and engraving on metal
Laser marking and engraving on metal has different characteristics that set it apart from other marking techniques. We highlight a few of them below:
1. Quality and permanence
Laser marking and engraving on metal is permanent, so it cannot be easily modified. It provides a high-quality mark, which guarantees long-lasting results that remain entirely legible over time.
2. Personalisation
This is a technique to mark on the surfaces of different metals, in addition to other materials, with the possibility of personalising the information and creating unique designs. This aspect is particularly relevant for the jewellery industry, where jewels can be personalised at the client’s request, and to engrave images on precious metals.
3. Versatility
Laser marking and engraving on metals is extremely versatile and can be used with a wide range of applications. It can be done on different materials, like stainless steel, aluminium, carbon steel, PVC, gold, copper, silver, glass, and more. Depending on the material, one can make thin marks or deep engravings, based on the project.
4. Contact free
Laser marking and engraving on metal is a method that requires no contact. This means that it requires no kind of physical contact between the laser marking machine and the metal being worked on. This is a significant aspect that prevents all kinds of damage or deformation to the metal’s surface.
5. High precision and resolution
Laser marking on metal provides high precision and resolution in its results, which provides a wide variety of detailed designs, as well as printing logotypes, serial numbers, QR codes, and other kinds of information on different metal surfaces.
6. High speed
Laser marking and engraving on metal is high-speed, which provides fast and efficient production. This is especially important in industrial settings that require high yield and mass production, optimising related processes.
Procedure for laser marking on metal
The step-by-step procedure for laser marking and engraving on metal may vary slightly, depending on the equipment and manufacturer specifications. However, as follows we provide a description of the general process:
- Preparing the equipment: You must verify that the laser device is in perfect operating condition and that all necessary settings have been properly configured. You must also make sure that the device’s control software has been installed and updated.
- Material preparation: Clean the surface of the metal to eliminate all contaminants or residual dirtiness that could interfere with the laser mark. You must also make sure that the metal piece is placed safely in the fastening device.
- Mark design: Use specific laser design software to create or import that design you want to mark on the metal. At this point, you must adjust the size, position, and other parameters as necessary.
- Laser settings: Adjust the laser parameters, such as beam intensity, marking speed and frequency depending on the type of metal and desired depth. These parameters can vary based on the material’s properties and design preferences.
- Focus configuration: Adjust the distance between the laser head and the metal’s surface to guarantee a precise, optimum focus. You can use the tools and help provided by the laser device to obtain an adequate focus.
- Start marking: Once all settings have been adjusted, you can begin the laser marking process by pressing the start button or using the pertinent command in the control software. The laser will begin to issue a high-energy light beam and will mark the metal according to the previously established settings and design.
- Verification and finish: Once the laser marking and engraving on metal is complete, verify that the result meets objectives in terms of quality, depth, and clarity. If necessary, you can make adjustments or improvements, based on the case and your needs.
Importance of marking metal in the iron and steel industry
Generally, parts are marked in the steel and metal industry. They contain information that is not only useful for the manufacturer to trace the product, but also because it can be used throughout its entire life cycle, from the moment it is manufactured until it is used for its intended purpose.
The data or information a laser-marked part may contain include the date it was made, expiry date, batch number, serial number, and more.
Laser marking and engraving on metal is highly important in the steel and metal industry because of its different benefits. These are some of the reasons why laser is widely used in the industry:
- Identification and traceability: Laser marking and engraving on metals allows you to identify and permanently, legibly mark different steel products and components, which makes it easier to trace and track throughout the entire supply chain.
- This is especially important in the iron and steel industry, where a large number of products are handled, and rigorous quality control is a must.
- Wear resistance: Laser marking is high-quality, which is why it is long-lasting and resistant to wear because it penetrates the surface of the metal, creating a permanent mark that does not fade over time or erase easily.
- Flexibility and precision: Laser marking provides complex, detailed, and high-resolution marks on different types of metals with efficient, legible, and permanent results.
- Speed and efficiency: Laser marking and engraving on metal is a fast and efficient process, so you can increase productivity and streamline manufacturing processes in the iron and steel industry. Additionally, since this is an automated process, it does not require constant manual intervention, which reduces labour costs.
- Compliance with regulations and standards: Laser marking on metal meets the quality regulations and standards required in the iron and steel industry, since it guarantees product legibility and traceability. This is especially important in sectors such as automobile, aerospace, etc.
Types of identification used in metal marking
There are several types of identification used in laser marking and engraving on metal. Some of the main ones are:
- Bar codes: Two-dimensional or linear bar codes are used to encode information, such as serial numbers, manufacturing dates, product codes, and more. These codes can be quickly scanned to obtain the information. One most frequently used is a QR code.
- Datamatrix code: This mark is similar to a bar code, with the difference that the system has two dimensions, and its information storage capacity is greater.
- Serial numbers: With laser marking, you can permanently and legibly engrave unique serial numbers on each metal part. This provides traceability and monitoring for each product throughout its life cycle.
- Logotypes and company marks: You can engrave company logotypes and marks on metal parts to strengthen the brand identity and provide product recognition.
- Alphanumeric text and information: Laser marking provides precise, legible engraving of text and numbers on metal parts. This proves especially useful for providing instructions, precautions, dates, batches, and other relevant data.
It should be noted that these are just some of the most commonly used identification types with laser marking on metal. Selection of the kind of identification to use depends on the requirements and specific needs of each industry and application.
Advantages of laser engraving on metal
The technology applied to laser marking and engraving on metal is under constant evolution; for this reason, it has become more popular around the world today, because it facilitates and optimises product design and personalisation.
However, it is important to note that, before you purchase a laser engraving machine, it is essential that you learn the advantages you can obtain, which far exceed the small disadvantages that may still exist.
As such, we will mention the most important advantages here:
- Precision: Laser marking and engraving on metal provides precise and detailed results, even on small-sized or complicated designs.
- Durability: Laser marking creates permanent marks on metal, which guarantees that they will not be erased, fade, or deteriorate over time, and will be conserved in perfect condition.
- Versatility: Laser technology is suitable for marking or engraving different kinds of metals, including stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, iron, and more.
- Flexibility: Laser marking on metal can be adapted to different surfaces, shapes, and sizes, from flat to curved or irregular surfaces, which would be complex and not possible for other kinds of marking.
- Speed: The laser marking process is automated, which provides faster results in comparison with traditional marking methods.
It should be noted that, in Spain, there are different companies that work in laser marking machine production, and Couth is a shining example.
The future of the iron and steel industry in marking metal parts
It is a reality that high, rising consumption exists in an increasingly globalised world, and that metal marking, whether for stainless steel or for other types, has been optimised thanks to these advanced technology marking techniques.
Technology is being developed such that not only is the process guaranteed, but the marks are also long-lasting and even permanent throughout the part or product’s entire life cycle.
At COUTH, we work every day to improve the technology applied to our marking machines so we can meet the needs of the iron and steel industry with customised solutions.
Having said this, as follows we provide some trends and developments expected for the future of the iron and steel industry in terms of laser marking on metal:
- Greater precision and resolution: We expect ongoing improvements to the precision and resolution of systems for laser marking on metal. This will allow you to create more detailed and complex marks on the surfaces of metals, which opens up new opportunities for design and personalisation.
- Broader applications: As techniques and technologies for laser marking on metal become more advanced, we expect that the range of applications will grow. In addition to marking parts, laser marking for metal will be used more often for product traceability, classification, and metal identification.
- Integration with other processes: It is expected that laser marking and engraving on metal will integrate more closely with other processes in the iron and steel industry. For example, we expect that these systems will integrate onto existing production lines, which will provide greater efficiency and automation for the marking process.
- Progress in marking speed: One of the challenges in laser marking on metal is marking speed, especially when there are large production volumes. In the future, we expect to develop technologies that provide faster marking without compromising quality and legibility of the marks.
Industrial and commercial applications of laser marking on metal
Laser marking and engraving on metal has different applications, both in the industrial and in the commercial field. Some of the most noteworthy are:
1) Automobile industry
Laser marking is widely used in the automobile industry to mark and engrave different metal parts and components, such as engine, chassis, and frame parts, containing identification information, bar codes, brand logotypes, and more.
2) Electronics industry
Laser marking and engraving is also widely used in the electronics industry to mark electronic components, such as integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and device frames, with information on their identification and traceability codes.
3) Aerospace industry
In the aerospace industry, laser marking and engraving on metal is used to mark critical metal parts, including engine components, satellite parts, and plane structures, including information on their identification and traceability codes to provide more efficient tracking of products during each one of their stages.
4) Jewellery industry
It is well-known that laser marking is effectively used in the jewellery industry to personalise jewels made of precious metals, such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more, with unique designs, logotypes, dates, and names.
5) Medical industry
In the medical industry, laser marking and engraving on metal is used to mark different surgical instruments, implants, and medical devices with valuable information for identification and control, as well as traceability, to guarantee the safety and quality of products and equipment.
6) Machinery industry
Laser marking is used on the machinery industry to mark metal parts, such as gears, axles, and structural components, with the information necessary for identification and traceability, making it easier to track and maintain the machines.
7) Construction industry
If we discuss the construction industry, laser marking is used to mark metal structures, pipes, and equipment, so as to guarantee that they have the identification information necessary, as well as traceability codes to facilitate installation and maintenance.
8) Defence and security industry
Laser marking is also used in the defence and security industry to mark firearms, ammunition, military equipment, and ID cards with the information necessary to guarantee security and access control.
9) Food industry
Regarding the food industry, laser marking and engraving on metal is used for metal containers, such as tins and lids, with pertinent identification information, including expiry dates and bar codes for traceability and quality control.
COUTH, your best ally for purchasing a laser marker unit
At COUTH, we are international leaders in designing and manufacturing laser marker units, as well as scribe and dot-peen marking. We have extensive experience in the sector and provide you with the best industrial marking devices, known for their high quality and efficiency.
- We have a team of professionals who are specialised in each one of their areas. This means we can take care of each and every detail when creating our equipment to offer the highest quality and performance in our products.
- We only use high-quality materials and the most advanced technology to remain on the cutting edge of the industry.
- We design equipment that can be personalised to the needs of each company and industry, thanks to the most efficient software that adapts functions to the characteristics and requirements of each project.
COUTH is pleased to offer the highest quality equipment for industrial marking, all while applying ongoing improvement processes to guarantee the most advanced marking systems on the market.
At this point, all we can say is that if you need a company specialised in laser marking and engraving on metal, please do not hesitate to contact us. At COUTH, we have the best industrial marking solutions for you.