A Guide to Medical Laser Marking Equipment

The company provides a complete solution for laser marking in the medical sector, from equipment selection, process optimization to maintenance and management.The workshop focused on the use of fiber lasers and UV lasers, stressing the importance of material compatibility and industry certification, as well as providing detailed instruction on depth control, environmental management and daily maintenance, helping users improve their marking pass rates and extend the service life of their equipment to meet UDI marking requirements.

How does a hospital go about choosing the right laser marking system?

Medical devices require very precise and durable markings. The key factors to consider when choosing a laser marking system are the type of laser and the machine’s certifications. Fiber lasers are suitable for marking metal instruments, while UV lasers are more suited to plastics and silicone.Don ’ t try to save money by choosing a general-purpose machine. Medical-grade dustproof design and software traceability are the core features.

The first hurdle is the materials.

Metal instruments such as forceps and bone screws are usually made of stainless steel, and to guarantee that the markings are clear and won't fade, a fiber laser of 20W or more should be used. In contrast, high-molecular materials such as catheters and respiratory masks are better suited to UV lasers, to avoid thermal damage.If you are not sure, the most reliable thing to do is to ask your supplier to make a sample for testing.

The key points in laser etching medical instruments.

The medical device label must comply with the Unique Device Identification (UDI) standard, which includes the date of manufacture, batch number, and serial number.Three points must be kept in mind when actually using the laser: first, the depth of the marking must be controlled at 0.01-0.03 mm. If it is too shallow, the markings may wear off easily, but if it is too deep, it may affect the strength of the tool; second, the same position should not be marked repeatedly, as the high temperature may cause the material to change; and third, the focus must be adjusted each time the laser is turned on.

We can't let environmental management fall behind.

Medical workshops usually require a dust-free environment, and the equipment should have a sealed work area and an exhaust system.Cleaning the lenses and tracks once a week and wiping the lenses with ethanol can reduce the problem of blurred images by 80 %.

Maintenance techniques to extend the life of equipment.

A laser's life span is normally about 20,000 hours, but with proper maintenance it can last an additional one or two years.Every day before shutting down, the system goes through a cooling cycle to prevent sudden power outages, and every three months the cooling water is replaced and the water tank cleaned. The tracks are given a special lubricant once a month.If the markings fade, don't be in a rush to replace the laser tube. First check for lens contamination or power fluctuations, which account for more than 60 % of faults.

Warning signal for replacement of expendable materials.

If any two of the following three conditions occur, you should contact the after-sales service for a full inspection: (1) scratches appear on the focusing lens; (2) the cooling water temperature is persistently high; (3) the speed of marking falls by more than 15 %.Unless you are a certified repairman, you will probably only make matters worse.