Laser marking machine is a device that uses a laser beam to print a pattern or text on the surface of an object. It has a wide range of applications in industrial manufacturing, product identification, anti-piracy and other fields.
The working principle of the laser marking machine can be simply divided into four steps: laser emission, beam focusing, material marking and cooling system.
The first is laser emission. The laser marking machine contains a laser inside, usually using a CO2 laser or fiber laser. When electrical energy is applied to the laser, the active medium in the laser (such as gas or fiber) is excited, producing a high-intensity, monochromatic, and extremely directional laser beam.
Next comes beam focusing. The laser beam is focused on a very small spot of light by using an optical element, such as a lens or mirror. The focusing ability of the beam depends on the performance of the optical element and the beam quality of the laser. The smaller the focused spot, the higher the clarity of the printed pattern and text.
Then there is the material marker. When the focused laser beam shines on the surface of the material, it will interact with the material, of which several common interactions are: absorption, reflection and passage.
- Absorption: Materials on the surface of an object absorb laser energy, heating it up. The heat generated by this process can cause structural or chemical properties of the material to change, resulting in visible markings.
- Reflection: Part of the laser beam is reflected back by the surface of the object, without producing a mark.
- Through: The laser beam does not interact with the material, through the material.
It's the cooling system. In the laser marking process, due to the heat generated by the focused spot on the material, it is possible to cause burns or deformation on the surface of the material. In order to protect the material and the laser head, the laser marking machine is usually equipped with a cooling system. The cooling system maintains marking quality by providing coolant to the laser head to reduce the temperature of the marking area.
In general, the working principle of the laser marking machine is to use the laser beam emitted by the laser to focus on the surface of the material through the optical focusing system, and interact with the material to produce a mark. By adjusting the laser parameters, marking speed and material characteristics, a high precision, high definition and automated marking process can be achieved.