The marking machines are used for numerous purposes and have been around for a very long time, contrary to popular belief that it is a new technology. The marking machines are being used in various industries to achieve an array of objectives. The fact that you might not be aware of, like most people, is that the marking machines use a laser to work. Yes, that’s right! Lasers have also been used for industrial application since a very long time, as they are not a recent innovation.
A laser is a system that works by storing energy and then releasing it at a specified area. This way, the energy that is emitted will have more impact as the energy will be of high density. The laser marking machines are used in numerous industries nowadays. Mainly, they are used for the marking process on the surface of various metals and many other products as well. These marking machines come with various technologies that include Fiber and CO2.
The positive fact about the lasers is that they are not harmful to the environment and they can be easily automated, which will eventually save your time, your money, and even your energy. The laser marking machines are at their best when it comes to marking of metal and plastic. The feature that makes it stand out is that it can be automated, making your worries go away. It helps you in picking, placing, and even removing on the feeding or the indexing system. If you have not tried them yet, you should give them a chance!
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Types of marking techniques
Among the numerous marking techniques that there are available, photo masking and beam steering are the most popular ones and also the commonly used ones. In the photomasking technique, there is a beam going out from the source of laser and it is shown against the picture of the text that has to be printed or written on the plastic object. The beam then passes through an optical lens through which it reaches the areas or the points where the laser marking is supposed to have an impact. The mirrors will deflect the laser into the optical lens that will allow the laser to focus on the surface of the plastic, creating the impact that is required. The movement of the mirror is perfectly estimated and should not go wrong, which will result in a very high quality of the picture or text that is created.
The mirror has accurate and exact measurements, but this does not mean that it does not have the flexibility, which is also very high as numerous kinds of texts and pictures need to be imprinted on the objects. The controlling system can shift from one image to another in seconds. It also has the ability to store numerous patterns that may be of need in the future. Moreover, it is possible to vary some features that include the power of the laser, the frequency of the pulse, and the speed with which the laser hits. The speed is controlled so that it produces the best quality image possible. The system is computerized, but it can be set according to your requirements and specifications.
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Effects of Laser Marking
When the laser beam first hits the plastic surface, there are several effects. Numerous factors can determine what reaction there will be between the surface of the plastic and the laser beam. Let’s have a look at the different types of reactions that could be a result of the process:
1. Foaming:
This scenario indicates that there is something in the surface that will absorb the laser beam. This could be a result of pigments or even other additives. To avoid this kind of situation, the laser should be of a high frequency for the marking to be on point. It will mostly occur on products that are of a darker color.
2. Engraving:
In this type of effect, no color changes will take place. The material is removed by vaporization in this one. The energy of the laser beam is absorbed by the surface. This could be a result of unsuitable surface or even a laser that is high in CO2. The quality of the marking will not be up to the mark in this scenario, but it still will be usable. Each effect has positives and negatives attached to it.
3. Special colors:
If you want to get special or sharp colors on the surface, it is very much possible if the upper castings are removed. This method is especially applicable to the type of plastics that do not work under the normal marking process when the color change is required. This process is well known for products that are to be produced in, for example, a black and white effect. The image and text that have been imprinted will be visible even in bright light. If the process is carried on with care and attention, it will definitely result in high quality marking.
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The use of marking machines are becoming more and more popular as a rising number of industries have started using this technology. Due to its advantages, many people are shifting towards this technology. The marking machines have a high speed, a longer life, high performance, and they even allow you to save energy! Environmental protection is not a problem when it comes to marking machines. The machines are lightweight and work on low energy.
