Three Practical Tips for Using UV Lasers to Mark Glass

This article shares three practical tips for using UV lasers to achieve fine glass marking, covering key steps such as parameter optimization, template design, and cleaning and maintenance. These tips will help to resolve problems such as blurred marks and rough edges, and improve the efficiency of glass processing and the quality of the finished product.

Why is ultraviolet laser suitable for glass marking?

Glass is smooth and brittle, and traditional mechanical engraving is prone to causing cracks. But the cold processing characteristics of UV lasers produce almost no heat-affected zones.By concentrating the high energy of the 355-nanometer short wavelength, it can achieve micro-level accuracy on the glass surface, especially suitable for wine bottles and other objects where details are important.

Technique 1: Adjust the parameters "first try, then cut.

Don't rush to operate the machine! The absorption rate of lasers by glass differs greatly depending on the thickness and composition of the glass.

Matching power to frequency.

The first test should be at 30 % power and 20 kHz, to see if the lines are continuous.If there is any sparking or whitening, reduce the power. If the marks are too light, gradually increase the frequency to 40 kHz.

Don't be greedy for speed.

If the speed exceeds 800mm / s, the markings may become intermittent.The standard speed is 500 mm / s, and this can be adjusted depending on the desired effect. For intricate designs, the speed can go down to 300 mm / s.

The second trick: Use good templates to "prevent slipping.

Glass has a high reflectance, and direct marking is prone to misalignment. This is particularly true with curved glass.

The coating also helps the ball locate.

A temporary coating of water-soluble matte paint (such as the LC-30 model commonly available in the market) can reduce laser reflection interference. After marking, it can be washed off with water, leaving no residue.

Focus in different sections.

When you encounter an uneven or irregularly shaped glass, don't expect to be able to focus on everything at once.The software divides the picture into multiple regions, allowing each to be focused separately, ensuring that each part of the image is clear.

Tip 3: Maintenance is key.

Dust on a UV laser lens cuts the marking effect in half.

There are three things that I do every day without fail.

Before work, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the focusing lens. Every four hours use a compressed air gun to blow dust off the galvanometer protective window. Before leaving, check whether the water temperature exceeds 25 ºC (high temperatures will reduce the stability of the laser).

Weekly deep maintenance.

Remove the lens and check the coating, then wipe it with a single motion using professional lens paper.Don't forget to grease the track, especially in damp southern areas, to prevent sticking.

Finally, a reminder: Don't touch the glass with your hands immediately after the etching is complete. The glass may still have a small electrostatic charge. The best thing is to blow it off with an ionized air gun before touching it, to avoid leaving fingerprints that will affect the appearance of the finished product.