Laser Marking Parameters for Different Materials Metal / Plastic / Ceramic

The company has established a database of laser marking parameters for metals, plastics, and ceramics, covering key settings such as power, speed, and frequency.The system uses actual test data and scene analysis to help users quickly resolve problems such as inconsistent engraving results, scorching, and insufficient depth, thus improving the efficiency of marking and the quality of the finished product.

Why is it necessary to establish parameters for different materials?

The results of laser marking are directly affected by material properties.For example, metals require high-powered focused heat, while plastics easily deform at high temperatures.We tested last year and found that using the same parameters to mark stainless steel and acrylic resulted in a difference in clarity of 40 % or more.Establishing a database of parameters based on material is equivalent to creating a "customized operating guide" for each material. This not only protects the equipment, it also saves time by eliminating the need to repeatedly adjust the settings.

Key points in marking metals.

Principles of power and speed.

For common metals such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy, a starting power of 30W is recommended, with a speed of 400-600mm / s.If the material is copper, which has a strong reflection rate, the power can be increased by 10-15 % and the frequency can be adjusted to over 20kHz to reduce the overlap of the light spots.

Anti-oxidation tricks.

When marking is done, a small amount of nitrogen gas is sprayed or a protective film is placed over the metal surface to prevent it from turning black.Especially with high-value items like silverware, you should opt for a low-power, multiple-scan approach, rather than just blasting it with full power.

A guide to avoiding plastic pitfalls.

Temperature control is the line between life and death.

Thermoplastics such as ABS and PP are particularly susceptible to high temperatures.If the power exceeds 25 watts, it will easily bubble and deform. It is recommended that you first test with a scrap piece of material, beginning with 15 watts and gradually increasing it.PET can increase power by 5 %, but speed must remain above 800 mm / s.

The secret of black plastic.

In fact, black plastic is actually better for engraving than clear plastic, because dark colors absorb more light, and thus the same parameters produce a clearer mark.If you are scanning a semi-transparent material, remember to activate the "enhanced contrast mode" in your software to make the edges of the letters sharper.

The essence of ceramic parameters.

More power is not always better.

The most important thing is to avoid cracking the material, and the optimal power range is between 20 and 35 watts.Data from a Jingdezhen pottery factory indicates that when a 28-watt laser is used at a speed of 600 mm / s, the depth of the mark is uniform and the yield of finished goods is raised 27 %.

Preprocessing is very important.

Cleaning the surface with alcohol before carving can reduce the problem of spots by 90 %.If you are using glazed ceramics, it's recommended that you first reduce the power by two settings, and test it on a small area before doing the whole batch.

General methodology of tuning.

When using a new material, remember the "low and slow" rule: Start at 70 % of the manufacturer's recommended parameters, and adjust only one variable at a time (such as power, then speed).If you keep a notebook and record the results of each experiment, in three months you will have your own database.