The marking laser is the ideal tool for engraving nameplates. When marking is required due to legal requirements or personalisation of ordinary nameplates, the laser enables marking to be carried out on self-adhesive materials, plastics and metals. It is suitable for standard-sized plates as well as for unusual shapes and sizes.
Both laser cutting of plastic and engraving can be carried out in many different ways. A range of commercially used plastics such as polycarbonates, ABS, polyamides and many others can be marked with a fibre laser. The process is fast and provides a high-quality finish. Thanks to the short adjustment time and the high flexibility of this tool, the laser makes it cost-effective to mark even very short runs.
We have a Trotec machine with an integrated dual laser source - fibre and CO2. This makes it possible to combine the operation of the two light sources with a single use setting.
Polyamide (PA)
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyimide PI
Polyethylene (PE)
Polystyrene PS
Polypropylene (PP)
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Polyformaldehyde (POM)
Polyester (PES)
Polyarylsulphone (PSU, PPSU)
Polyethylene terephthalate PET
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
Silicone
Change of colour
The colour change on the material guarantees the highest legibility of the marks. Laser marking with colour change is essentially an electrical process that changes the ordering of macromolecules (changing their direction). No material is removed, but partial foaming may occur.
The laser uses low energy, but generates pulses at a high frequency. Otherwise, material removal or continuous foaming would occur. Colour change is possible for all polymers, and the resulting colour can be darker or lighter. In most cases, the colour will be dark.
Expanding
Expansion results in a tangible mark on the material. This can be seen as a laser-induced 'pitting' that has melted part of the surface. As a result of rapid cooling, air bubbles form in the metal being processed. These bubbles leave a tangible bulge.The laser uses less energy but sends out longer pulses. Expanding is possible for all polymers, but also for some metals. Depending on the material, the resulting trace will be light or dark.
Carburisation
Carburising enables a strong contrast to be achieved on a bright surface. During carburising, the laser heats up the surface of the material (at least up to 100°C) and then oxygen and hydrogen or a mixture of both are emitted. This results in a darker area with a high concentration of carbon. The laser uses less energy, so marking times are slightly longer than for other processes. Carburisation is possible for polymers and biopolymers, such as wood or leather. As carburising always leaves dark marks, the contrast obtained on a dark surface will be minimal.
Removal
Removal is used with multilayer plastics (laminates). During the removal process, the laser beam removes the top layers that have been applied to the base material. This results in a contrast between the colours of the layers being uncovered.
