3 Tips to Prevent Deformation in Silicone Laser Marking

The three key techniques are laser parameter adjustment, fixture design optimization, and temperature control. These help solve the problem of silicon rubber softening and deforming due to high temperatures, and improve marking precision and product quality.

Why is it that silicone rubber is easily deformed?

We all know that silicone is soft and has average heat resistance. If the temperature is not properly controlled during laser engraving, the surface can easily be "baked soft," making it susceptible to deformation under even slight stress.In particular, if the pattern or text is complicated, a single mistake can ruin the whole thing.So, to get silicone rubber marking right, you have to be smart and brave in dealing with the heat.

Tip 1: Set the parameters of the laser a little lower; don't be greedy for speed.

Many people think that high power and high speed are more efficient, but with silicone, this is more likely to cause problems.

Don't overdo it; reduce the power when appropriate.

For example, if the normal power is set at 50 %, the silicon gel may have to be reduced to 30 % or even lower.The specific value depends on the machine and the thickness of materials, but it is recommended that you try a few times with scraps of material to find the point at which the image is clear and no smoke is produced.

This slows down the speed a little, but gives the heat more time to dissipate.

If the marking speed is too fast, the heat will build up in a concentrated area.The speed of the laser head is slowed down to allow it to carry away excess heat, and the same position is not heated repeatedly.

The higher the frequency, the sparser the points.

High-frequency laser beams are easily burned through the surface, and lowering the frequency (for example, from 20kHz to 5kHz) to increase the distance between laser points improves heat dissipation.

Technique 2: The clamps must hold the wood firmly, but they should not apply excessive pressure.

Silicone is soft, and if it is not fixed properly it will shake during the marking process. But if it is pressed too tightly, it will leave imprints.

A special fixture with a groove was used.

The acrylic or silicone molds are made to fit the shape of the product, and the product is placed in the mold, which naturally conforms to the shape of the product. The mold holds the product in place without applying any pressure.

The bottom has a cushioning layer.

A layer of sponge or soft silicon is applied to the bottom of the fixture, so that even if there is a bit of vibration during the marking process, the pressure can be buffered, and the back of the lens will not be marked.

Tip # 3: Cool the tea actively. Don't wait for it to cool on its own.

It turns out that simply relying on parameters and fixtures is not enough. The ultimate solution is to actively control the temperature.

The cold wind blows, but don't let it blow away the punctuation marks.

A small air compressor or fan blows air at an angle to cover the workpiece from all sides.Be careful not to point the laser head directly at your eyes, otherwise it will affect the precision of the optical path.

Let's take a look.

If the workpiece is flat, you might try using a metal tray with circulating water cooling.Cold water is constantly flowing over the part when it is being marked, and this quickly removes heat from the bottom of the part, reducing the likelihood of deformation by over 30 %.

Don't be in a rush to take the labels off after you've applied them. Let them dry first.

Even if you are in a hurry, wait five to ten seconds after the buzzer sounds before you take the item.At this point, the temperature has dropped, the silicone has regained its elasticity, and it is less likely to be damaged during the move.

The last thing to remember is that the temperature resistance of different brands of silicone can vary widely, so I recommend that you don't be lazy and do a small test every time you change materials, recording the best combination of parameters. Then you can just use that combination next time.