A Practical Analysis of the Effects of Different Materials on Laser Marking Accuracy

The researchers compared the precision of laser marking on metal, plastic, and wood, and analyzed the effect of different materials on the marking results.This system can provide users with specific suggestions on how to adjust parameters, so that they can optimize their marking processes according to the characteristics of the material they are using, thus improving the clarity and efficiency of the final product.

Why do materials affect the precision of laser marking?

When we use laser markers, we often encounter this situation: the same parameters work fine on stainless steel, but produce a mess on acrylic.The problem is actually with the material. The absorption rate, heat conductivity, and even the surface texture of different materials all vary, and all have an impact on the final result.Below we will use actual data to help you understand the ins and outs of the matter.

Comparing the results: Who is the real "detail freak?

Metal materials group: stainless steel vs. aluminum.

For example, using a 20-watt fiber laser to mark 0.5-millimeter characters on 304 stainless steel and 6061 aluminum, the former took 1.5 seconds while the latter required only 0.6 seconds.The results of their study revealed:

- At a speed of 60mm / s and a frequency of 30kHz, the edges of the strokes are as sharp as if they had been cut with a knife.

- An aluminum plate of the same parameters shows "rough edges," and only reaches the same effect at 45 mm / s.

It turned out that aluminum conducts heat too rapidly, so that the laser energy was easily dispersed. It was necessary to work more slowly so that the energy could be concentrated.

Non-metallic materials: acrylic vs. oak.

When testing the carving of 0.8 mm icons, we discovered that.

Acrylic is clearer at low frequencies (15kHz) but tends to burn out at high frequencies.

Oak wood must be sanded flat before being used, otherwise the grain will cause lines to run crooked.

This shows that for nonmetallic materials, not only do you have to adjust the parameters, but pre-treatment is also very important!

Four tips for avoiding the pitfalls.

We first made a prototype.

Don't rush into making big pieces. First practice by engraving a 5 x 5 mm area of scrap material, to observe the depth of the burn and the edge effect.If you are shooting highly reflective materials (like stainless steel), remember to lower the power to prevent overexposure.

Use of auxiliary coatings.

For particularly difficult materials such as glass, the company's specially formulated marking paint immediately does the trick.In tests, the coating has been shown to improve contrast by 200 %, and there is no need to worry about material chipping.

Humidity must also be controlled.

Materials such as wood and leather, which are sensitive to humidity, are prone to a "bleeding" effect when the relative humidity exceeds 60 %.The company put dehumidifiers in the workshop. The cost was not high, but the results were immediate.

Have your lenses checked regularly.

Have you ever encountered a situation where the parameters are all fine, but the precision suddenly drops? This is most likely due to dust on the laser mirror.The focusing lens is wiped once a month with alcohol, and the marking line width can be controlled within ± 0.02 mm.

Common questions are answered in the field.

Recently, many people have asked, "Why is my aluminum marking turning black?" In fact, this is an oxidation phenomenon. By adjusting the frequency to 80 kHz or above and turning on the air pump to blow air, one can maintain a high contrast gray scale without producing unsightly black spots.

Some fans have also complained that the edges of the wood are blurry, and in this case it is recommended to try the "bi-directional scanning" mode.When carving characters on redwood, the lines are 30 % smoother than with traditional methods, and the effect of brush strokes is reproduced.

In the end, laser marking is like cooking: you have to use different settings with different ingredients.Only by understanding the nature of the materials can one make each mark as delicate as a work of art.The next time you come across a new material, don't panic! Just try each of the methods described here, and you're sure to find the best solution.