Plastic is a versatile material used extensively across various industries, and laser marking on plastic offers numerous benefits. Whether you need to mark product information, logos, or serial numbers, laser marking provides a durable and high-quality solution. This page explores the different plastics suitable for laser marking, the laser marking processes on plastics, and the advantages of laser marking on plastic.
Why Laser Marking on Plastic?
Laser marking on plastic is a top choice for many companies in various industries. To sum it all up, the benefits of going with laser marking for plastic starts with lower cost, permanent markings with sharp contrasts, high precision and accuracy, and much more. We’ll go over why laser marking on plastic has more advantages than disadvantages.
One advantage of using a laser marker to engrave on plastic is durability and cost. There are many printers that use inks or coatings on plastic. Although the upfront cost is lower for inkjet industrial printers, the cost of always replacing the ink will cost more in the long term. Another disadvantage is the smudging and fading that comes with using inkjet industrial printers. That’s where laser marking machines come in. Some of the benefits of laser markers include:
- Permanent markings that are resistant to wear, fading and smudging.
- Marking remains intact throughout the product lifecycle even in harsh environments.
- Cost savings since you’re saving on inks and coating replacements.
As you can see, the advantages and benefits of switching to laser markers are extraordinary. The contrast on these markings will come out clear and sharp. Laser marking is versatile, and it can be used for various purposes.
This includes product identification, serial numbers, barcodes, logos, and decorative markings. As a result, laser marking is a versatile machine capable of working on wide range of industries, from manufacturing and packaging to aerospace and consumer goods.
The advantages of using laser marking machines on plastic can be cost and time saving. In fact, below is a table that goes over the three types of Videojet laser marking machines. The best way to find out about which laser marking machine is suitable for your application can be answered if you reach out to Videojet.
| 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 |
| Watts | 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 |
Different Plastics Suitable for Laser Engraving
We’ll dive into the different types of plastics that exist and what factors to consider when choosing the right type of laser marker for your product. Here are some commonly used plastics suitable for laser marking:
- Acrylic: Acrylic is versatile and can produce high-contrast markings, making it popular in signage, displays, and consumer products.
- Polyethylene: Known for its excellent chemical resistance and durability, polyethylene is commonly used in packaging, bottles, and industrial applications.
- Polypropylene: Offering good chemical resistance, polypropylene is used in automotive parts, medical devices, and consumer products.
- Polyester: Durable and capable of withstanding harsh environments, polyester is used in electronics, labels, and automotive applications.
When considering laser marking on these types of plastics, you should consider these factors:
- Laser wavelength
- Power
- Marking speed
All these factors can impact the quality and permanence of the marking. In addition, you’ll also need to consider environmental and extreme temperatures. Choosing the right laser for your product can keep the sharp contrast and visibility of the marking.
What is the Laser Marking Process?
Laser marking techniques have revolutionized the way plastics can be marked, providing precise and permanent markings on a wide range of plastic materials. This section provides an overview of different laser marking processes on plastics, compares laser engraving, etching, and marking techniques, and highlights best practices for achieving high-quality markings.
When it comes to laser marking plastics, several techniques are available, each with its own advantages and applications:
- Laser Engraving: This technique involves removing the top layer of the plastic material, creating a permanent mark. It is commonly used for branding, identification, and aesthetic purposes.
- Laser Etching: Creating a shallow groove on the surface of the plastic, laser etching results in a textured mark. This technique is often used for decorative purposes or to improve grip on plastic products.
- Laser Marking: The most versatile technique, laser marking changes the color of the plastic by heating it with the laser beam. This creates a contrasting mark without removing or damaging the material.
To achieve high-quality markings on plastics, it is essential to consider a few best practices. First, selecting the appropriate laser marking technique based on the desired outcome is crucial. Additionally, optimizing laser parameters such as power, speed, and frequency can help achieve the desired mark quality.
Proper focusing of the laser beam and maintaining consistent material positioning are also important factors. Finally, using high-quality plastics specifically designed for laser marking can significantly improve the results.
Videojet’s Laser Marking Solutions for Plastic
Videojet Technologies offers laser marking solutions tailored for the precise, clean, and efficient marking of plastic materials. Our laser systems are engineered to deliver high-quality, permanent marks ranging from simple codes to complex graphics with speed and accuracy.
The advantages of using Videojet laser marking systems for plastic include minimal consumables, reducing ongoing costs, and an environmentally friendly marking process without inks or chemicals. Additionally, Videojet lasers are highly adaptable to various plastic types and colors, ensuring optimal contrast and legibility.
With user-friendly interfaces and robust construction, Videojet’s lasers are designed for easy operation and integration into existing production lines, providing a reliable, low-maintenance solution for your plastic marking needs.
Discover the Videojet range of industrial laser marking systems.
FAQ
UV lasers are a preferred option for plastic because they are able to create chemical color changes in certain types of plastics that CO2 and Fiber lasers cannot.
Yes, depending on the specific dyes used in the plastic. We recommend using our Videojet sample lab to determine if we can meet your production requirements with our laser technology.
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