Laser Knowledge

Laser Marking Machine for Plastic

Posted on by igolden

A laser marking machine for plastic is a specialized equipment used to create permanent markings, engravings, or etchings on plastic materials using laser technology. This process involves focusing a high-powered laser beam onto the plastic surface, which can either burn, melt, or alter the material to produce precise marks such as text, logos, barcodes, QR codes, or patterns.

Laser Marking Machine for Plastic

Different types of lasers emit light of different wavelengths and have different penetration capabilities. Therefore, marking machines equipped with different lasers differ in marking quality and marking speed. Fiber laser marking machine, UV laser marking machine, CO2 laser marking machine can all mark on plastic. However, their application scope and effects are different. Here are their specific application scenarios:

Fiber Laser Marking Machine

It is suitable for marking plastic materials with high ignition point (such as PC, ABS). As we all know, the fiber laser marking machine mainly engraves and marks metal products. In fact, as long as the parameters are adjusted properly, the fiber laser marking machine can also mark some plastic products. By choosing the right parameters, the laser will only vaporize a thin layer of the surface of the plastic without burning the plastic itself. But even so, the fiber laser marking machine is only suitable for marking some plastic products. If your workshop only marks non-metallic materials, it is recommended to choose the CO2 laser marking machine.

CO2 Laser Marking Machine

Mainly used for acrylic and rubber. The CO2 laser marking machine has the same good focusing ability as the metal laser marking machine, so it is very suitable for fine marking of plastic products. The diode-pumped solid-state laser has a high beam quality, which enables the laser beam to obtain a small focusing diameter during the marking process. At present, CO2 laser marking machine also has an irreplaceable role in plastics.

UV laser marking machine

Applicable to all plastic materials, mainly used in the high-end market of ultra-fine processing. Because the smaller line width of UV is 0.01mm, the marking accuracy of UV laser marking machine is better than other marking methods.

Benefits of Laser Marking for Plastic

  1. High Precision: Lasers can create very detailed, intricate designs, text, or patterns on the surface of plastic materials.
  2. Durability: Unlike ink or paint marking methods, laser marking is permanent and resistant to wear, chemicals, or fading.
  3. Non-contact Process: The laser does not physically touch the plastic, which means there’s no risk of deforming or damaging the material.
  4. Minimal Heat Affected Zone: With proper settings, the laser can create marks with very little heat transfer, preventing warping or melting of the plastic.
  5. Versatility: Laser marking can be used for a wide range of plastic materials, including ABS, PVC, polycarbonate, and acrylic.

Considerations When Choosing a Laser Marking Machine for Plastic

  1. Material Compatibility: Not all lasers are equally effective on all types of plastic. It’s essential to choose a machine that is compatible with the specific plastic you intend to mark.
  2. Speed and Efficiency: Depending on your production volume, you might want a machine that offers faster marking capabilities without compromising quality.
  3. Marking Depth and Finish: Consider the desired depth and appearance of the mark. Some applications may require a more shallow, etched mark, while others may need deeper engraving or a specific aesthetic finish.
  4. Cooling and Ventilation: Certain plastics may emit fumes during the marking process, so adequate ventilation or fume extraction is important.

Advantages of Laser Marking Plastics

When marking the surface of plastic products, laser marking machine has the advantages of low cost and high flexibility compared with traditional mechanical engraving, chemical etching, screen printing, ink printing and other methods. The laser marking process does not require consumables, does not produce chemical pollution, and because it is non-contact marking, it will not cause damage to the surface of the material, which is very safe and environmentally friendly.
The laser marking machine uses a laser beam to directly generate marks on the plastic surface, including marks, codes, characters, numbers, patterns, lines, two-dimensional codes, etc.

Laser marking machine marks plastic, can the logo be wiped off?

The patterns and numbers after laser marking are permanent and cannot be wiped off unless the surface is scraped off. Therefore, using laser marking machine to mark product tracking code, QR code, brand logo and other information can play a good anti-counterfeiting role.
The types of laser marking machines used for plastics of different materials and plastics of different purity of the same material will be different. In addition, each customer has different requirements for the marking effect. Therefore, before you buy a laser marking machine, you can contact the laser marking machine manufacturer and send your samples to them to photograph the marking process and marking effect. In this way, you can more accurately determine which laser marking machine is more suitable for the marking needs of your product.
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