A Guide to Laser Marking Fixtures: From Flat Surfaces to Curved

This article addresses the common problem of fixture selection in laser marking processes, and explains the core points of fixture design for both flat and complex curved surfaces.The guide covers a wide range of practical topics, including material compatibility, stability optimization, and techniques for positioning curved surfaces. It helps users select the most suitable fixture for their processing needs, improving marking accuracy and production efficiency.

It is necessary to understand the core role of the fixture.

Many people who are just getting started with laser marking tend to underestimate the importance of fixtures--aren't they just tools for holding the workpiece? Actually, a good fixture is like a pair of steady hands for the machine.In particular, when handling oddly shaped pieces, it is necessary to ensure that they are positioned accurately and that the laser path is not blocked.Although the flat clamps we commonly use are easy to operate, if we are not careful, we can easily get out-of-focus or blurred marks when working with curved surfaces.

The three main points in choosing a fixture.

The thickness of the material and the method of attachment.

Don't think that vacuum suction cups are enough for flat processing! For thin metal sheets, a magnetic fixture with a cushioned rubber pad is recommended. But for non-metallic materials like acrylic, a combination of vacuum suction and a non-slip design is more appropriate.If you have ever had the material curl up while you were labeling it, then you probably didn't choose the right adhesive.

Repeatability.

The biggest worry in mass production is that each part may be clamped in a slightly different position.We recommend modular clamps with positioning pins, and we have designed a scheme for one electronics manufacturer with a scale to adjust the plate, which keeps repeated positioning errors to within ± 0.05 mm.

Heat dissipation.

When machining metal for a long time, the design of the heat dissipation slots in the fixture is particularly important.Last week a customer told us that his parts were deforming after marking. We found that he was using a fully enclosed aluminum fixture, and we recommended that he switch to a honeycomb structure, which solved the problem.

A more advanced way to use curved clamps.

Selection of the type of curved surface.

The fixtures needed for single and double curved surfaces are completely different. For cylindrical parts, a V-groove and rotating table combination is recommended, while for complex surfaces like golf club heads, a multi-point adjustable fixture is needed.Remember: The smaller the radius of curvature, the more dense the contact points.

The secret of adaptive adjustment.

Have you ever seen a fixture that can "morph"? By using a silicone rubber cushion and pressure control, it can fit perfectly onto irregular surfaces.Last year, for example, a fixture for marking knee joint prostheses that we made for a medical device factory boosted the pass rate by 30 %.

The ingenuity of avoiding the laser beam.

The biggest headache in doing curved surface processing is that the fixture blocks the laser head.In a recent project for an auto parts factory, they designed and built a cantilever fixture with a folding support that automatically moves out of the way when the laser is marking, thus saving 15 % of the operation time compared to previous methods.

Don't step into these holes.

Have you ever bought a pair of high-end pliers, only to find they don't work well for you? It's probably because you didn't have them customized.A good fixture design needs to be adjusted according to the characteristics of the specific product. For example, the fixtures used to make jewelry must take into account the need to change molds quickly.We also want to remind everyone that you can't use 3D printing to make jigs for mass production, because they deform easily in high temperature environments.

Future trends in fixture technology.

Intelligent fixtures are beginning to make a name for themselves. The fixtures we are testing have pressure sensors that can give real-time feedback on the clamping conditions.There is also a new material clamping device made from memory alloy that can automatically adjust to special shapes.But for most companies, the more practical choice is to select an existing mature solution.