A Guide to the Suitability of Various Materials for Inlay: 20 Common Materials

The book explains how to use 20 marking technologies, such as laser engraving, ink-jet printing, and silk-screen printing, on 20 common materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.Through case studies and comparative data, it helps users quickly choose the best marking solution based on material characteristics, budgetary constraints, and durability requirements, thereby improving production efficiency and product quality.

Why does the nature of the material determine the technique of the mark?

The method of marking the fish is like choosing a pair of shoes--it's a matter of finding the right fit.Stainless steel can be laser-etched with clear, durable designs, but acrylic can only be burned. Heat transfer printing can withstand the rigors of the washing machine, but ink jet printing will run when it gets wet.Only by understanding the hardness, heat resistance, and surface texture of the material can you avoid the risk of a "wreck.

Twenty materials are used in the marking process.

Metal: The "hard rock" genre has its own sub-genres.

Stainless steel and aluminum are common customers, and laser engraving can produce a QR code as small as 0.1 millimeter. However, for cast iron, it's better to use electrolytic etching, which produces deeper marks.Don't forget to install a special cooling system for the copper alloy, otherwise the laser head will go on strike.

The Plastic Family: The Spoiled Brat and the Tough Guy.

ABS plastics are quickly and economically coded using UV ink, but you have to be careful when you come across PVC, because high-temperature lasers generate chlorine gas.TPU elastomers are very elastic, and you can't expect the ink to stay intact after 20 stretches.

Wood or composites?

The grain pattern of the wood is actually an added bonus.MDF can be directly laser-cut, but the power must be kept low to prevent charring.Fiberglass? Try sandblasting.

Three practical tips for saving money.

1. Small-scale trial and error: First use leftover material to test three methods, saving 30 % in losses compared to going straight to the production line.

2. Ink alternatives: If industrial-grade inks are too expensive, try compatible ink + surface coating.

3. Test the waters with equipment leasing: A laser machine that costs NT $ 2,000 a month is more appropriate for a startup team than one that costs NT $ 80,000.

A first-aid guide for overturned vehicles.

If the laser burns the plastic, the mark is removed with fine-grit sandpaper and the label is printed with UV ink.If the screen is misaligned, don't panic and start scraping. An alcohol-soaked cotton swab can save 80 % of the defective prints.Remember: A blurred mark is not necessarily a machine problem--it may be that there is mold release agent left on the surface of the material.