How to Select Laser Marking Equipment for Medical Devices

Medical device laser marking must take into account the material, the processing precision, and the requirements of the regulations. In choosing equipment, it is necessary to verify the adaptability of the equipment to special materials, to confirm that the precision stability meets the standards of medical certification, and at the same time to consider the service and support capabilities of the supplier.Dynamic focusing technology and intelligent identification software can significantly improve labeling efficiency, and equipment suppliers with complete medical certification can ensure long-term compliance with production standards.

Why do medical instruments need dedicated laser marking machines?

Medical instruments require extremely high standards for accuracy and durability in marking. For example, the serial numbers on surgical instruments must be clear enough to be read under a magnifying glass.Ordinary laser equipment is prone to causing deformation or the loss of markings, while medical-grade equipment uses special wavelength control to "engrave" permanent markings on materials such as stainless steel or titanium, while avoiding high temperatures that would damage the surface of the instrument.

Three key factors in selecting medical laser equipment.

The first hurdle is material compatibility.

Titanium alloys are commonly used in orthopedic implants, stainless steel in surgical instruments, and some consumables are made of high-molecular materials.I suggest bringing samples to a supplier to test, to see how the different materials react to the etching process. The main thing to look for is whether the edges are sharp and whether there is any discoloration.

Accuracy is the key to compliance.

Both the FDA and CE require that the error in the depth of the marks be no more than ± 0.01 mm.Some equipment may be rated at 20 microns, but in actual operation may be affected by the vibration of the cooling system.When testing on site, be sure to measure the depth of the scratch at different points with a micrometer.

The balancing point between speed and stability.

On the production line, marking 50-80 items per minute is the norm, but some fiber lasers will "skip a beat" at high speeds.It is suggested that you choose a model with a dynamic focusing system, which is like a stabilizer for a laser, guaranteeing speed and preventing "hand shake.

Small details often overlooked.

Certification isn't just for show.

The company must choose laser equipment suppliers that have passed ISO 13485 certification. Their equipment must have a complete record-keeping function to trace the processing parameters for each product. This is particularly important for the FDA.

After-sales service is even more important than the specs.

Have you ever had a machine break down at 3 am? "Choosing a brand that offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week remote diagnostic service is far more reliable than just comparing laser power.The best solution is to ask suppliers to provide backup agreements to avoid production lines shutting down.

The software needs to "understand human language.

Good software should be like a smart phone, intuitive and able to automatically identify the marked regions of the CAD drawing.During the tests, a complex three-dimensional model was introduced to see whether the software could intelligently avoid curved surfaces.