Optimizing Laser Marking Parameters for Aluminum Alloys

It offers practical solutions to the problem of optimizing laser marking parameters for aluminum alloys.The company's expertise in adjusting key parameters such as laser power, speed, and frequency, coupled with its knowledge of the characteristics of different aluminum alloys, helps customers improve the clarity and efficiency of their laser marking and resolve common problems like oxidation and burning.

Why is it necessary to optimize laser marking parameters for aluminum alloys?

Aluminum alloy is lightweight and durable, but it can be difficult to laser mark on because the material oxidizes easily, resulting in blackened surfaces and blurry lines, or even damage to the material.If the parameters are set improperly, the results can range from affecting the appearance of the product to lowering the rate of qualified products.For example, if the power is too high, it can burn through the surface of the material, and if the speed is too fast, the marking will be unclear.We have to be flexible in adjusting parameters according to the thickness of the material and the surface treatment method.

Preparatory work: Get to know the equipment and materials.

Know your laser marker.

First confirm the power and pulse frequency range that the equipment supports.For example, the parameter baselines of a 20-W fiber laser and a 50-W machine are completely different.It is recommended that you refer to the instruction manual or ask the manufacturer for a recommendation as a starting point.

Testing the type of aluminum alloy.

The same alloy, 6061 and 7075 aluminum are clearly different in terms of hardness and surface coating.The best way to check the machine is to make a sample with leftover material, and use a magnifying glass to see if the edges are neat and if the color is even.

The core parameters of the adjustment process.

The balance between power and speed.

If the power's too high, the laser will burn the skin.In fact, the best method is to start in the middle, and then adjust up or down as necessary.Remember to change only one parameter at a time, so you can compare the results.

The influence of frequency on detail.

Higher frequencies (such as 80 kHz) are suitable for finer patterns, but may lengthen the processing time; lower frequencies (20 kHz) will etch rougher lines faster.If you need to engrave a QR code, it is suggested that you adjust the frequency to 50 kHz or higher while reducing the distance between the dots to 0.02 mm.

Selection of auxiliary gas.

Don't underestimate the power of compressed air! The air is blown at an angle of 45 ° with a pressure of 0.2-0.5MPa. This prevents oxidation and blows away metal shavings.The protective effect of nitrogen is even more obvious when dealing with materials with a high degree of reflectivity.

Emergency plans for common questions.

The labels turn yellow or black.

Ninety percent of these cases are caused by oxidation.Check the blower first, and then reduce power by 5-10 %.If it is anodized aluminum, try changing the marking mode from "engraving" to "bleaching.

The lines are rough.

It may be a problem with the focus or the lens.After realigning the light path, the fill overlap rate was increased by 5 %.If you are working on a curved surface, remember to turn on the Z-axis dynamic focus function.

Archiving techniques.

It is recommended that an Excel database be used to record information about materials, thicknesses, and surface treatments.For example, one could save a parameter group for "2 mm sand-blasted aluminum plate" as a preset, and then the next time one could just call it up to save half an hour of setup time.Colorimeters are used to regularly check color contrast, ensuring that batch-to-batch consistency is maintained.