5 Things to Consider When Using Laser Marking on Medical Devices

Laser marking of medical instruments must balance precision and safety. This article summarizes the five key considerations to take into account in laser marking medical instruments: power settings, material compatibility, and sterilization compatibility. It will help manufacturers avoid risks, improve efficiency, and ensure that products meet medical industry standards.

1. Don't buy a TV with a power rating that's too high.

The laser power directly affects the marking effect and the risk of damaging the instrument.Most medical devices are made of stainless steel, titanium, or high molecular materials, and the tolerance for power varies considerably from one material to another.For example, titanium alloys require a higher power to engrave clearly, but high power is too easily burnt in polymers such as PEEK.He suggested that the researchers do a small test first, to find the minimum power level that clearly marks the material without damaging it.

Don't forget the little tricks.

When testing the laser on scrap material, or on a sample from the same batch as the production material, the power is adjusted gradually from low to high, while observing the depth of the mark and the sharpness of the edges.When encountering special coating materials, the effect of power on coating adhesion must also be considered.

2. The marking method is determined by the material's characteristics.

Medical equipment is made from a wide variety of materials, and no one machine can handle them all.For example, fiber lasers are often used on metal, while UV lasers are better for transparent or dark plastics.The wrong type of sterilization can lead to blurred markings or deformed materials. This is especially important for instruments that have drug coatings.

First, get to know the material.

Confirm the components of the materials with the supplier and pay special attention to whether or not the material contains flame retardants, plasticizers, or other additives.Some chemical substances produce toxic gases when heated, and in such cases the cold laser process must be used.

Fine-tuning of parameters.

The three parameters of speed, frequency, and defocus are like the knobs on a mixing board, and they need to be turned together.If the speed is too fast, the mark will be too light, but if it is too slow, the material will be burned through.If the frequency is not properly set, then a continuous line will become a dotted line, affecting the readability of the markings on the medical device.

The following is a summary of the main points.

Metal materials are treated with high frequency short pulses, while plastic products are treated with low frequency long pulses.When encountering a highly reflective material, increasing the amount of defocusing can prevent the laser head from being damaged by reflected energy.

4. Disinfection compatibility must be considered in advance.

Many manufacturers have been burned--the label looks perfect, but after high-temperature, high-pressure sterilization, it falls off or changes color.The effects of different sterilization methods, such as ethylene oxide and radiation, on labels are very different, and it is recommended that after the label is printed, accelerated aging tests be performed in a simulated sterilization environment.

A second layer of authentication is more reliable.

The test involved rubbing the marked area 20 times with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, then placing the material in a 121 ° C steam environment to test.Only by passing both tests can it be ensured that the labels will be clearly legible when the products are used.

Don't neglect routine maintenance.

Laser lenses can become dusty, leading to a loss of power. Clean them regularly with special lens paper.The cooling system needs to be checked monthly for water levels and leaks. It is recommended that air conditioning be installed during the hot summer months.You should never be lazy and skip the calibration. A mere 0.1 mm deviation can make the marking of a precision instrument go out of bounds.

The timing of maintenance.

Every day before starting the machine, the focus is checked. Every week the exhaust pipes are cleaned. Every quarter the coolant is replaced and the power of the laser is checked for any reduction.By taking care of these details, the life of equipment can be extended by 3-5 years.