| The laser engraving industry is relatively new. When | | | | (Sintra), wood, paper and fabric. And laser cutting adds |
| lasers appeared on the market it didn't take long for | | | | high precision, reduced contamination or warping, and a |
| the engraving industry to discover that lasers could be | | | | quality finish to industrial cutting applications. It offers a |
| used for a wide variety of industrial applications | | | | superior cut-edge quality with parallel sides and no |
| including welding, heat-treating, etching and engraving. | | | | burrs. |
| Think of a laser as a light source similar to a light bulb; | | | | Laser marking services can be used for many |
| a light bulb will emit energy out all around it rather than | | | | thousands of applications from computer keyboards to |
| focused. Almost all materials can be laser engraved or | | | | special promotional gifts. Because no inks are used the |
| laser marked. | | | | marking services are both permanent and the process |
| There are a many advantages to using a laser over | | | | is kind to the environment. The marking is flexible, |
| other methods of engraving; first of all, because the | | | | programmable and environmentally clean. |
| tool is a beam of light, there is no product contact, | | | | And laser marking of glass by Co2 lasers on the fly or |
| which translates into less chance of product damage | | | | while moving can be an excellent addition for many |
| or deformation. Unlike the conventional engravers | | | | industrial environments and applications for glass |
| some engravers use an intense beam of light instead | | | | marking. Co2 lasers can provide excellent results for |
| of a rotating or vibrating tool; this beam can either | | | | marking glass and also provide significant reductions in |
| vaporize a small area of the surface (laser engraving) | | | | operating costs and cost of supplies. You can laser |
| or cause a change in the color of the surface of the | | | | mark most plastics from cattle tags to backlit day/night |
| material (laser marking) this beam is controlled by a | | | | key switches. |
| computer at very high speeds and accuracy to give | | | | Products that can use this process to engrave include |
| outstanding quality at a very cost-effective price. | | | | wedding giveaways, nametags, table nameplates, |
| With advanced software you can laser engrave just | | | | trophies, woods, etc. And engraving metal uses the |
| about anything from Bar Codes and 2D codes to | | | | most power especially if the metal is of the harder |
| photographs and company logos. Some people call it | | | | type. |
| laser etching; others call it laser engraving but basically | | | | There are no consumables so operating costs are |
| the technique uses a computer-controlled laser beam | | | | minimal, and the laser machine and system, if properly |
| to mark a surface. | | | | exhausted, runs clean, so that costly cleanup or |
| Laser etching can be used on many materials including | | | | by-product disposal is unnecessary. Also the laser |
| slate, granite, stainless steel, leather, arborite, glass, | | | | engraving services are available today in most |
| mirrors, and premium hard woods. It's the process of | | | | specialty stores because it's now the most common |
| marking the material without cutting all the way through | | | | type of engraving. Of the many items being laser |
| using reduced power. | | | | engraved today, iPods and laptops rank among the |
| A laser works well for cutting acrylic (Plexiglas), PETG, | | | | most popular in the consumer marketplace. |
| thin polycarbonates (Mylar), styrene expanded PVC | | | | |