Laser Printing and Marking on Metal Surfaces
Laser marking has become an essential process in the manufacturing industry for product identification, traceability, and branding. Whether you are coding cans, lids, other consumer product packaging, automotive or aerospace parts, sheets, or plates, the codes you mark should be precise, readable, and permanent.
Backed by years of expertise, innovative technology, and robust support capabilities, Videojet provides state-of-the-art laser solutions for marking on metal, whether engraving, etching, annealing, or ablating.
What is laser marking on metal?
High-quality, detailed markings can be engraved, etched, ablated, or annealed on metal surfaces with a laser beam. The codes, text, logos, and other markings are permanent; they can’t be removed without damaging the product. Laser marking systems do not use inks or other fluids.
What kind of marking can be achieved with a laser marking machine?
Serial numbers, barcodes, text, logos, expiration dates, lot numbers, and other information can be marked with lasers on metal surfaces. In addition, lasers can produce scannable 2D codes including QR and DataMatrix codes. Permanent laser codes help maintain quality control, enable traceability, and meet regulatory requirements.
Fiber laser markers
Fiber laser machines are the preferred systems for marking codes and other data directly on most metal surfaces and parts at high speeds. Fiber lasers are more compact than many gas lasers of comparable power. High peak power and nanosecond pulses produce superior engraved results with clean edges.
Engineered for superior marking on stainless steel, aluminum, and high-density plastics, the range of Videojet fiber lasers include features power classes of 10W, 20W, 30W, 50W and 100W, and marking speeds up to 2,000 characters per second.
Laser marking systems
Videojet 7340/7440
Laser marking systems
Videojet 7230/7330
Laser marking systems
Videojet 7610
Laser marking systems
Videojet 7510
Applications
Fiber lasers can mark most metal surfaces at high speeds. Ideal for harsh environments and operating without inks and other supplies, lasers offer clean operation while producing clear and durable codes.
Stainless steel
Fiber lasers are recommended for marking on stainless steel. Engraving, ablation, or a color change can be achieved. A mark’s quality is dependent on the time given to produce it and the laser’s power.
- Engraving offers a deep material removal
- Ablation removes the top layer of a painted stainless steel
- Color change is caused by the surface’s reaction to the laser
Aluminum
Since it is dense than stainless steel, aluminum can be marked with lasers employing as little as 20 Watts of power, like the Videojet 7330 and 7340. Higher powered fiber lasers, like the Videojet 7440 30W, 7510 50W and the 7610 100W, can provide deeper engraving on aluminum and faster processing speeds.
Copper
Copper can be less dense than stainless steel. Etching on this metal requires a laser of at least 30W, like the Videojet 7440.
Yes. Laser marking on metal creates precise, readable, and permanent marks. These codes, text, logos, and other markings cannot be removed without damaging the product.
Choosing the right laser marking system for metal depends on the metal type, the marking result required, and the processing speed needed. Fiber lasers are commonly used for marking most metal surfaces at high speeds, with different power levels available for materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. For help selecting the right system for your application, contact us.
Yes. Fiber laser machines are preferred for marking codes and other data directly on most metal surfaces and parts at high speeds. Marking speeds can reach up to 2,000 characters per second, while producing clear and durable codes without inks or other supplies.
