Marking Parameters and Preservation Techniques for Different Materials

They also share the core techniques for setting parameters and for data backup.This book includes a wide variety of applications, including metal, plastic, and glass, to help users avoid the inefficiency and equipment damage that can result from improper laser parameters. It also includes practical tips on how to back up parameters and quickly call them up when needed. It is suitable for laser equipment operators to use as a reference.

Why should the material of the target object affect the marking result?

Laser marking is like "tailor-made clothing": different materials have different absorption rates and heat resistance.For example, metal requires higher power to be colored, and plastic can burn if you aren't careful.If the settings are too low, the image will be fuzzy. If they are too high, the material can be damaged, and the equipment will have a shortened lifespan.

Important settings for common materials.

Metal (stainless steel / aluminum alloy).

Power should be at 70-90 %, and frequency should be 20-50 kHz.Stainless steel requires a pulse mode, while aluminum requires a lower speed to prevent oxidation.When working with highly reflective metals, it is necessary to apply an anti-reflective coating before engraving.

Plastics and acrylic.

Power should be kept between 30 % and 50 %, and frequencies between 10-30 kilohertz are safer.Dark plastics can be cut with a higher wattage, but light-colored plastics have to be done with a lower wattage, otherwise they tend to "burn" on the edges.When marking acrylic, the speed must not be too fast, and it must be kept constant in order to achieve a transparent effect.

Glass and ceramics.

Such brittle materials are most afraid of thermal stress, so the laser power is set to 20-40 % and the speed to over 100mm / s.Ceramics are best treated with low frequency (5-15 kHz) dot mode, and glass surfaces can be coated with a thin layer of soapy water to aid heat dissipation.

The practical techniques of parameter preservation and management.

Building a material archive.

A new group of parameters was created for stainless steel and acrylic, and the file names directly noted the thickness and color of the material (for example, "2mm Black ABS").When special materials are encountered, first make a trial piece and then save the parameters.

Cloud and local backup.

Don't just rely on the storage built into the device! Export the parameters every month to a USB drive, and at the same time use the corporate WeChat or DingTalk app to synchronize them to the cloud.Those masters who have had the misfortune to learn this lesson the hard way know that these backups can come in very handy when the equipment suddenly crashes.

This is the secret to the quick retrieval.

The program also allows the user to set up shortcut keys for commonly used parameters.When processing in bulk, users can add the parameters they will need that day to the "quick launch bar" to double the efficiency of switching.

Pitfall: Common mistakes in setting parameters.

• Superstitiously believing that "high power = good results": Overpowering can actually burn the edges of the material.

Ignoring the temperature and humidity: When the temperature in the room exceeds 30 ° C, it is suggested that the power be reduced by 5 %.

• Failure to periodically recalibrate the laser beam: Even if the parameters are correct, a misaligned beam will result in inconsistent marking depths.

By adjusting the parameters in accordance with these methods, you will find that the yield of the finished products will rise dramatically, and the cost of maintaining the equipment will fall.Next time you come across a new material, you can refer to the parameters for a similar material and then fine-tune them, which will save you a lot of time.