Optimizing Laser Engraving Speed and Serial Number Clarity

They offer practical suggestions on how to balance the speed of laser marking with the clarity of the serial number.These include laser power, frequency, and scanning speed, and help customers quickly find the best configuration of parameters, ensuring high production efficiency and clear marking.This is suitable for production managers and equipment operators to consult.

Why do the parameters directly affect the quality of the mark?

When we use laser marking machines, we often face a dilemma. If we set the speed too fast, the characters become blurry. If we set it too slow, it affects efficiency.In fact, the key lies in the interplay of several core parameters.For example, if the power is too high it may burn the material, and if the frequency is too low the wire is likely to break.The following discussion starts from a real-life scenario to talk about how to get the best of both worlds.

Three steps for balancing parameters.

The first step: get to know the characteristics of the materials.

Different materials respond differently to laser light.Metals generally require higher power (60-80 %), but plastics or coated materials tend to burn if the power exceeds 50 %.It is recommended that you first use a scrap piece of film to do a test run, adjusting the power from low to high at a constant speed to find the critical point at which the image just becomes clear.

Step 2: Speed and frequency adjustment.

The scanning speed should not be too fast. For fine content such as serial numbers, the speed should be controlled between 800 and 1200 millimeters per second.At this point, if you tune the frequency to 20-50 kHz, the lines will be even more continuous.If you find the numbers have jagged edges, try increasing the frequency by 5kHz and reducing the speed by 10 %.

Step three: Don't ignore the focus spot.

Many people will adjust their settings for half a day, but end up with a blurry picture.The diameter of the light spot directly affects the width of the line, especially in the case of small type.The 0.1 mm spot produces a 30 % higher resolution than the 0.3 mm spot.Remember to clean the lens regularly.

Avoiding the potholes: These details can cause problems.

• If the humidity exceeds 60 %, condensation can form on the metal surface, and the markings will fade within half an hour.

• After working continuously for four hours, the laser temperature rises, and the power will decay by 2-5 %, requiring dynamic compensation.

• If aluminum is engraved without first treating the surface, the color may fade within three months.

A practical example of a parameter table.

Take the case of stainless steel nameplates.

- Power: 70 %.

- Speed: 950mm / s.

Frequency: 35 kHz.

- Space between characters: 0.08 mm.

According to this system, a single line of serial numbers can be printed at a rate of 120 groups per minute, and the strokes of the characters can be observed through a magnifying glass to have no breaks.If it's ABS plastic, the effect is even more stable when you reduce the energy to 45 % and increase the speed to 1100 mm / s.

Finally, we remind everyone not to blindly apply the parameters of others. Every piece of equipment is different, and every batch of material is different.By following the principle of "power for clarity, speed for efficiency, frequency for detail," you should be able to find the right combination of settings for your own needs after a few tries.