Laser marking launches a new course in production

As laser marking technology has evolved, new markets have emerged to take advantage of increasing marking speeds, as well as greater marking accuracy and storage capabilities. Continuous advances in laser cavity design, beam control and focusing optics, as well as computer hardware and software, expand the system’s role.

Fast management

Of the existing marking technologies, fast-guided laser marking systems offer users maximum image flexibility in a fast, durable and contact-free marking process. As production processes become more automated and after-sales tracking becomes more common, lasermarkers are often the only method available to quickly produce uniquely unique and lasting images.

High speed laser marking systems typically include a CO2 or Nd:

IAG laser. The CO2 laser emits a continuous wave in far infrared (10.6 μm wavelength), while the Nd: IAG laser emits in near infrared (1.06 μm) CV or pulsed mode (1 to 50 kHz). The Nd: IAG laser is also unique in its ability to generate very short, high-peak-peak pulses when operating in pulsed mode. For example, a typical Nd: IAG laser with an average power of 60 V can produce a peak power of 90 kV at a pulse frequency of 1 kHz.

The delivery Fiber optic component  consist of a simple focus lens kit or a combination of a fixed superimposer assembly and a flat lens. In both cases, the laser beam is directed over the work surface by means of mirrors mounted on two high-speed computer-controlled galvanometers.

The simple focusing circuit offers the advantages of low cost

and less optical components and is used regularly with CO2 lasers. The design of the flat-field lens, although more expensive, maintains the marking beam in a flat plane to ensure more uniform image characteristics throughout the marking field. The flat-panel lens also produces a higher power density on the work surface than a simple focusing unit due to the shorter effective focal length. The design of flat-panel lenses is always desirable for high-precision, high-quality imaging applications and is typically integrated with Nd: IAG lasers.

Both designs offer the user a choice of lenses that determine

 Both the diameter of the marking field and the width of the marking line,longer focal length lenses provide larger work surfaces, but also increase line width, which reduces power density on the work surface. The user must compensate by increasing the laser output power and / or reducing the marking speed, which usually consists of two lenses and can be placed anywhere in front of the focus lens. The beam extender is often used instead to extend the path of the beams by about 10 feet, with the beam expanding due to its inherent tendency to deviate as it exits the resonator cavity. The room filter inserted in the expander provides the best mode quality in tightly connected systems by passing air through a small opening.