With the continuous development and advancement of laser technology, more and more industries are adopting laser processing technology, and laser marking is one of the largest applications of laser processing. Currently, laser marking machines are used in a wide range of industries, including garment accessories, shoe accessories, hardware, architectural ceramics, beverage packaging, rubber products, nameplates, craft gifts, electronic components, leather, integrated circuits, electrical appliances, mobile communications, tool accessories, precision instruments, eyewear and watches, jewelry, automotive parts, plastic buttons, building materials, PVC pipes, and many other fields, for marking graphics and text.
Currently, silk screen printing and laser marking are the two main methods for marking various products.
Traditional silk screen printing uses a pre-made graphic screen and applies external pressure to force the ink to go through the meshes of screen, leaving a gap on the circuit board surface. The remaining meshes of the screen are blocked, preventing the ink from passing through, leaving only a blank space on the circuit board surface. The ink that go through the meshes forms the text, logo, or pattern. This process is relatively inexpensive and fast, but it has drawbacks such as rough marking, easy fading, inability to mark smaller products, and the presence of toxic chemical raw materials.
Laser marking uses a high energy density laser to irradiate the product, vaporizing or discoloring the surface material, leaving a permanent mark. This non-contact process can produce clear text, images, and QR codes on very small surfaces, ensuring both high precision and high quality. It is resistant to wear due to high and low temperatures, acidity and alkalinity fluctuations, and external friction. It requires no chemical aids and poses no negative impacts on personnel safety or the environment.
Currently, an increasing number of companies are implementing laser marking machines. Their precision and flexibility complement the shortcomings of silk screen printing, significantly improving production efficiency and yield, reducing costs, and minimizing pollution. Laser marking is becoming the preferred method for marking various products and is widely used in many industries.