Laser engraving and laser marking are high speed, non-contact methods of permanent marking. Laser etching is basically just another name for laser engraving. Some people just call it laser etching. Others call it laser engraving but basically the technique uses a computer-controlled laser beam to mark a surface. Laser marking is the favored marking method when permanency or aesthetics are desired.

Laser Marking

Laser marking is a process in which material is indelibly marked at very fast speeds (milliseconds per character). Laser marking is flexible, programmable and environmentally clean. Laser marking of glass by Co2 lasers on the fly or while moving can be an excellent addition for many industrial environments and applications for glass marking. Laser marking is also favored when the part to be marked is too small or has too complex a shape to be marked with anything but laser etching.

Co2 lasers can provide excellent results for marking glass and also provide significant reductions in operating costs and cost of supplies. Some the items that Co2 lasers and Co2 laser systems can be utilized for regarding laser marking and etching glass or quartz are float glass plants, manufacturing of glass doors and windows, permanent serial numbering, ANSI safety information, customer logos, decorative or specialty glass manufacturing, manufacturing data related to plant, production date and line, and/or part numbers. Co2 lasers when used to laser mark or laser etch glass and quartz replace traditional methods such as sand blasting, ink pad printing, and etching.

Laser Etching

Laser etching is the process of marking the material without cutting all the way through using reduced power. Laser etching provides a permanent message on an in-process or finished component. Laser etching can be done on many materials including slate, granite, stainless steel, leather, arborite, glass, mirrors, and premium hard woods.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting offers a superior cut-edge quality with parallel sides and no burrs. The ability to laser cut complex profiles can eliminate the need for additional operations, making laser cutting highly economical. Laser cutting adds high precision, reduced contamination or warping, and a quality finish to industrial cutting applications. The laser metal cutting option can be added to some of the laser cutting machines.

Laser Engraving Machines and Systems

Laser machines and systems are used in a variety of applications and industries including medical device, aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, and electronic. A large number of industries, including electronics and communications, glass, medical instruments, tool and die, prefabricated construction and mold making use laser marking machines and systems. Quite a few companies make laser engraving machines, laser marking systems and laser etching equipment.

Laser engraving metal uses the most power especially if the metal is of the harder type. Laser engraving products include wedding giveaways, nametags, table nameplates, trophy engraving, laser wood engraving, etc. Also laser engraving services are available in most engraving specialty stores because it's now the most common type of engraving.