Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Marking Metal and Non-Metal Materials

The performance of laser marking machines differs greatly depending on the material being marked. Metal marking relies on high power to produce durable markings, and stainless steel and copper require different parameter settings.In actual application, the laser mode must be chosen according to the characteristics of the material. Metals are suitable for industrial marking, while non-metals are better suited to the creative design field. Only by rationally matching equipment parameters can the marking effect be maximized.

The working principle of the laser marking machine.

Laser marking machines use high-energy laser beams to create permanent marks on the surface of a material. The core components include the laser, the scanning system and the control system.The precision of the laser beam directly affects the quality of the mark. For example, metals require a higher power, while non-metals require more attention to thermal control.

The effect of marking metal materials.

The contrast of stainless steel and aluminum.

Stainless steel is usually marked with a deep oxidation effect, and has sharp edges and a wear-resistant surface. Aluminum alloy is easily marked with a light gray color, but if the power is too high, it may leave a burn mark.Experiments have shown that the average marking speed of stainless steel is about 15 % faster than that of aluminum alloys.

The special nature of copper.

Copper has a very high thermal conductivity, so the pulse frequency must be adjusted to prevent heat from spreading.In practice, it is easy for uneven coloration to appear when marking copper, so it is suggested that you use a special set of marking parameters.

Marking of nonmetallic materials.

The difference between plastics and wood.

ABS plastic is easily deformed by the high temperature, so the power needs to be lowered and the dwell time shortened. Wood can be carved to show natural gradations of depth, but soft woods such as pine can be carbonized at the edges.

Challenges in glass and ceramics.

Of nonmetals, glass is the most difficult to deal with, and the slightest mishandling can cause it to crack.Preheating the workpiece helps increase the yield, and low-frequency lasers must be used for ceramic marking to prevent surface cracking.

Metal and non-metallic materials are used in combination.

From the point of view of efficiency, metal engraving is usually faster than non-metal, but non-metal has greater plasticity and can achieve complex effects such as gradation and perforation.In terms of costs, metal processing consumes a lot of electricity, while non-metal processing is more dependent on materials and accessories.