The laser has been serving well for many years, particularly when it comes to laser engraving and laser marking metals. Not only soft metals, such as aluminum but steel or very hard alloys can also be marked accurately, legibly and quickly using a laser. With certain metals, such as steel alloys, it is even possible to implement corrosion-resistant markings without damaging the surface structure using annealing marking. Products made of metal are marked with lasers in a wide range of industries: The applications range from the marking of industrially produced series products for traceability to the personalization of promotional items with logos or names.
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
- Coated metals
Laser marking of metals in the industrial sector
Applications for laser marking metal
Laser application in marking metals are typicaly used for marking products with traceability features and codes. These applications can be found in the electronics and electrical industry, mechanical engineering and tool manufacturing, in sheet metal processing, medical technology, promotional materials, jewelry and in the automotive industry.
Color marking on stainless steel
A special type of annealing marking on metals involves color marking on stainless steel. Based on the technical possibilities with the MOPA laser, reproducible colors on stainless steel can be marked with a laser. For manufacturers of stainless steel products, this provides them with the opportunity to create special color designations, such as a company logo or functional markings like the indication for hot and cold on stainless steel fixtures.
Laser applications in the industry:
- Product labeling as plagiarism protection
- Functional laser marking e.g. size, diameter, etc.
- Production information e.g. date of manufacture, batch number 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 adorn the stainless steel fronts of the appliances with their color logo
- Manufacturers of knives and cutlery who want to adorn their stainless steel products with color logos
- Engravers and job shops who want to expand their product portfolios using the new possibilities
- Processors of stainless steel trim parts from other industries who want to stand out from the competition with color markings