Laser marking on aluminum offers precise, permanent markings, making it ideal for a myriad of applications across various industries. Whether you’re looking to add branding, enhance traceability, or ensure product identification, laser marking delivers high-quality results for printing on aluminum.
This guide will cover essential topics such as understanding laser engraving on aluminum, choosing the right laser marking system, best practices for engraving on aluminum, and Videojet’s specialized solutions for aluminum marking.
Understanding Laser Engraving on Aluminum
Laser marking is an efficient and versatile technique for creating permanent marks on a range of materials, including aluminum. This process involves using a laser beam to engrave the aluminum’s surface, producing high-quality and precise markings.
Using a laser machine to engrave on aluminum is ideal and we’ll go over two reasons why they are the first choice for many. First, the marking on aluminum that is left behind a laser engraver will remain intact even in harsh conditions.
Laser engravings are permanent and it’s sometimes impossible to remove the marking (depending on what type of laser marker you use). As a result, the engraving will be suitable for applications in the following conditions:
- Extreme temperatures
- Chemicals
- Abrasion
Secondly, laser engraving machines offer excellent contrast on aluminum. An active laser on aluminum will remove a thin layer on a reflective and smooth surface. The readability of an engraving will be sharp and clear. Whether it’s serial numbers, barcodes or other identification codes, aluminum and laser machines are a perfect match.
Choosing the Right Laser Marking System
At Videojet, we have a lifetime of experience and knowledge, and product experts to guide you through choosing the right laser marking system.
For aluminum, we have several lasers that are suitable for any environment involving extreme temperatures, exposure to chemicals, and high abrasion. Our lasers include CO2 Lasers, Fiber Lasers, and UV Lasers.
| Features | CO2 Lasers | Fiber Lasers | UV Lasers |
| Print Speeds | up to 2,100 characters/second | up to 2,000 characters/second | up to 500 characters/second |
| Wattage | 10W, 30W, 60W | 10W, 20W, 30W, 50W, 100W | 2W |
| Advantage #1 | Permanence of codes – The laser marks can survive the lifetime of the product. | Shorter wavelength – delivers a wavelength of 1.064 mm which are ten times shorter than those generated by CO2 lasers. | Integrity on sensitive material – maintain the integrity by creating a mark with a pigment color change instead of burning or etching. |
| Advantage #2 | High quality codes – provides unique marks through a diverse combination of marking heads, lenses, and wavelength options. | Higher intensity – 100 times higher intensity than CO2 lasers with similar power outputs. | High contrast marks – contrast marks on hard to mark surfaces. |
| Advantage #3 | No consumables and low carbon footprint – CO2 lasers don’t need any inks and other fluids helping you reduce cost and promote sustainability. | Less maintenance – long-lasting reliability with virtually no maintenance and product life expectancy of up to 100,000 hours. | No consumables and low carbon footprint – no inks and other fluids needed helping you to reduce cost and promote sustainability. |
| Advantage #4 | Less maintenance – maintenance-free, leading to improved ease of operation. | High contrast marks – ultra-fast speeds to mark on aluminum and other industrial products. | Efficiency – marks up to 250 products per minute. |
| Product pages | CO2 Laser Marking Machines | Fiber Laser Marking Machines | UV Laser Marking Machines |
Videojet’s Laser Marking Solutions for Aluminum
Videojet offers cutting-edge laser marking technology specifically designed for aluminum. Our laser marking systems provide a reliable and efficient solution for marking aluminum products with precision and clarity.
With Videojet’s laser marking technology, you can achieve permanent, high-quality marks on aluminum surfaces. Our laser systems utilize advanced laser technology to create crisp, legible markings that withstand harsh environments and ensure traceability.
One of the unique features of Videojet’s laser marking systems is their versatility. Our lasers can mark a wide range of aluminum products, including sheets, tubes, cans, and more. Whether you need to mark logos, barcodes, serial numbers, or product information, our laser marking solutions can meet your specific requirements.
In addition to their versatility, Videojet’s laser marking systems offer several advantages. They provide fast marking speeds, allowing for efficient production processes.
The non-contact marking method ensures that there is no damage to the aluminum surface, preserving its integrity. Furthermore, our laser systems require minimal maintenance, resulting in reduced downtime and increased productivity.
Discover the Videojet range of industrial laser marking systems.
FAQ
Yes, CO2 is very-well suited to marking on coated aluminum.
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