Secrets to Laser Marking Plastic Materials: Tips for Regulating Power Settings

Being able to adjust the laser power to suit the material is critical to processing plastics.The article explains the differences between the two materials, gives specific advice on power settings and operating tips, and shows you how to avoid the common problems of burning and blurring to achieve a clear and lasting marking effect.

Why is power adjustment so critical to laser marking?

The most difficult part of marking plastics is that they are so hard to control.PP is like a delicate flower that can't stand too much heat, and is easily deformed by too much heat. ABS is tougher, but it too will disappear if you don't get the parameters right.In fact, once the characteristics of these two materials are understood, adjusting the equipment is just as easy as adjusting the brightness on a mobile phone.

Practical techniques for marking PP materials.

Transparent materials are commonly used in packaging and consumer goods, and when marking them, there are three things to keep in mind: low power, high speed, and lots of testing.It's like frying a soft-boiled egg.

Recommended power range.

I suggest starting with 20W (fiber laser), and increasing no more than 5W at a time.When the surface turns white, quickly reduce the power. Don't wait until a hole appears before you regret it.The old craftsmen have a trick for this: they first try cutting a small circle in the scrap wood to see whether the pattern is clear and there is no bleeding.

Selection of auxiliary gas.

Compressed air is more suitable than nitrogen for PP materials, as it can cool the material and blow away the slag.Don't blow the air too close to the surface, or you will create waves in the surface.

ABS Material Parameter Settings

ABS, the material used in the casing of many electrical appliances and in Lego blocks, is like writing on cardboard, requiring sufficient "pen pressure" to mark it.But if the pressure is too great, it will break through the layer of protection.

A golden ratio of power and speed.

The best results are obtained by using a power setting of 35-50W and a speed of 700-900mm / s. This is equivalent to cooking a steak slowly over medium heat.When printing on dark ABS, the power can be increased by 10 %, like giving a flash when taking a picture in a dark place.

Focus adjustment.

Focusing the laser beam 0.2-0.5 millimeters deeper into the material makes the markings more solid, just as using the sharp point of a knife to engrave letters is more effective than using the flat of the blade.But don't go over 1 mm, otherwise it's like carving a flower with an axe, and you'll ruin the material in no time.

How to avoid the pitfalls: Common problems and their solutions.

If the label turns yellow, it is probably because the PP material has been exposed to too high a temperature, causing it to carbonize.If the writing is not sticking, try cleaning the ABS surface with alcohol, just like you would clean the screen before putting a protective film on your cell phone.If the equipment is set up right but the results are still poor, check the condition of the lenses. A dirty lens is like looking at the world through a film of mucus.

Finally, we would like to remind you that the ingredients used by different manufacturers may be different, just as the same dish may taste different in different restaurants.Once you get your hands on a batch of new materials, it is best to first make a test area the size of your palm, and start practicing on the leftover scraps.