| Laser engraving history: It was in the early | | | | clean operation. |
| sixties that scientists first discovered they | | | | |
| could create a light source, focus its energy | | | | Laser cutting adds high precision, less |
| and have a tool powerful enough to affect a | | | | contamination or warping and quality |
| wide range of materials. You can think of a | | | | finishing to industrial cutting applications. |
| laser as a light source that's similar to a | | | | The ability to cut complex profiles can |
| light bulb. A light bulb will emit energy | | | | totally eliminate the need for added |
| all around it. | | | | operations, making it highly economical. |
| | | | |
| The favored marking method is by laser when | | | | A few of the items that CO2 laser systems can |
| permanency or aesthetics are called for. And | | | | be used for regarding marking and etching |
| with advanced software today you can laser | | | | glass or quartz are float glass plants, |
| engrave practically anything including Bar | | | | manufacturing of glass doors and windows. |
| Codes, 2D codes, photographs and company | | | | There is also permanent serial numbering, |
| logos. | | | | ANSI safety information, customer logos, |
| | | | decorative or specialty glass manufacturing, |
| Unlike the conventional engravers some use an | | | | manufacturing data related to plant, |
| intense beam of light instead of a rotating | | | | production date and line, and/or part |
| or vibrating tool. This beam can either | | | | numbers. You can easily mark in batches of |
| vaporize a small area of the surface called | | | | from 1 to 10,000. Marking of glass by CO2 |
| laser engraving or cause a change in surface | | | | lasers while moving can be an excellent |
| color of the material called laser marking. | | | | add-on for many industrial environments and |
| The beam is controlled by a computer at high | | | | applications. |
| speeds and accuracy to give exceptional | | | | |
| quality at a very cost-effective price. | | | | Laser marking is a process in which the |
| Sometimes marking is referred to as laser | | | | material is indelibly marked at fast speeds |
| etching. Unlike conventional etching, needs | | | | (milliseconds per character). It's also |
| no masks or chemicals. | | | | favored when the part to be marked is too |
| | | | small or has too complex of a shape to be |
| Like many inventions in our recent times, | | | | marked with anything except laser etching. |
| lasers were first conceived in the | | | | Industries that use it include the |
| laboratory. There are many advantages to | | | | promotional, engineering and medical |
| using a laser over other methods of | | | | industries. |
| engraving. Because the tool is a beam of | | | | |
| light, there's no contact with product, which | | | | Amid the many items being engraved today, |
| means less chance of having product damage or | | | | iPods and laptops rank among the highest in |
| deformation. | | | | the marketplace. Some of the products include |
| | | | wedding giveaways, nametags, table |
| The metal cutting option can easily be added | | | | nameplates, trophy and wood engraving. |
| to some of the laser cutting machines. | | | | |
| Engraving metal uses the most power | | | | Laser engraving can be used for the kind of |
| especially if it is the harder type. | | | | jobs carried out by conventional industrial |
| | | | engravers. Engraving machines are common |
| Laser etching can take place on many | | | | today. And services are available in |
| materials including slate, granite, stainless | | | | specialty stores because it's the most common |
| steel, leather, arborite, glass, mirrors, | | | | type of engraving today. |
| premium hardwoods and on graphite it's a | | | | |