How Much Do You Know about UV Laser Marking?

In modern manufacturing and industrial production, laser marking technology, as a precise and efficient marking method, is widely used in the identification, tracking and anti-counterfeiting of various products. With the advancement of science and technology and changes in market demand, laser marking technology has gone through several stages of development, especially the rise of ultraviolet laser marking technology, which has become an indispensable part of production.

Background introduction:

Laser marking technology originated in the 1960s. With the continuous development and maturity of laser technology, it has gradually been commercialized and applied to various industries. From the initial CO2 laser and fiber laser to today's ultraviolet laser, various laser marking methods have come out one after another, and each technology has its unique advantages and applicable fields. Ultraviolet laser marking technology, with its superior performance, especially in high-precision and high-quality marking, has achieved important applications in many industries.

Development history of laser marking technology:

Since its birth, laser marking technology has evolved from the development of basic lasers to the application of intelligent and automated systems. The initial laser marking mainly relied on CO2 lasers, and its scope of application was limited to certain materials. With the advancement of fiber laser and solid-state laser technology, the cost of marking equipment has been reduced, the efficiency has been improved, and the application field has been expanded. In recent years, UV laser marking technology has gradually been valued and widely adopted due to its unique wavelength characteristics (usually 355 nm) and superior processing capabilities.

Definition of UV laser and its wavelength characteristics:

UV laser refers to lasers with a wavelength between 300 and 400 nanometers, usually produced by solid-state lasers. Compared with visible light and infrared lasers, UV lasers have higher energy and shorter wavelengths, so they can produce stronger photochemical reactions when interacting with materials. UV lasers can achieve high-quality marking on some highly absorbing materials (such as plastics, glass, ceramics, etc.), and are particularly suitable for applications that require delicate processing.

This article aims to explore in depth the working principle, technical advantages and application fields of UV laser marking. By analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of this technology, it aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding to help them use UV laser marking technology more effectively in practical applications, whether in industrial production, product identification, or in the future development direction of technology.

The working principle of UV laser marking is mainly based on the interaction between laser beam and material.

Laser generation: UV laser is usually generated by solid laser (such as neodymium-doped glass laser) or other types of lasers. The laser emits UV light of a specific wavelength (usually 355 nanometers).

Beam focusing: The laser beam is focused to a tiny area through an optical system. This high-energy focused laser can produce a high-intensity light field on the surface of the material.

Material interaction: When the laser is irradiated to the surface of the target material, the UV light is absorbed by the material, triggering a photochemical reaction. After the material absorbs the laser energy, it quickly evaporates or sublimates, forming a clear mark or pattern.

Marking formation: Due to the high precision and low thermal impact of UV laser, the marking process hardly causes thermal deformation of the surrounding materials, and can achieve high-quality depth contrast and detailed patterns. Common marking effects include textures, text, barcodes, and QR codes.

The high precision and adaptability of UV laser marking technology make it suitable for a variety of materials, and it is widely used in identification and anti-counterfeiting in industries such as electronics, medicine, and food.

UV laser marking technology has many technical advantages, making it widely favored in various industrial applications.

1. High precision and meticulousness: UV laser has a short wavelength and can achieve extremely high focusing accuracy, which is suitable for marking complex patterns and small fonts, ensuring clear and delicate markings.

2. Low heat-affected zone: Since the energy of UV laser is efficiently absorbed by the material, almost no heat is generated during the marking process, so the heat-affected zone is small, avoiding material deformation and damage. This is especially important for heat-sensitive materials.

3. Wide range of material applicability: UV laser can effectively mark a variety of materials, including plastics, glass, ceramics, metals and composite materials, especially in the marking of highly absorbent materials.

4. Environmentally friendly and pollution-free: No chemicals are used in the UV laser marking process, and no waste gas or wastewater is generated, which meets modern environmental protection requirements.

5. Persistence and durability: UV laser marking marks usually have good wear resistance and chemical resistance, are not easy to fade, and are suitable for long-term storage and use in harsh environments.

6. Fast and efficient: UV laser marking systems usually have a relatively high processing speed, which can meet the needs of mass production and improve production efficiency.

7. Flexibility and programmability: UV laser marking systems can be programmed through computers, easily customized and changed to meet the marking needs of different products.

8. Non-contact processing: Laser marking is a non-contact processing method, so it will not cause physical damage to the marked items, and is suitable for marking fragile products.

UV laser marking technology has become the preferred marking solution in many industries due to its high precision, low thermal impact and wide material applicability. Click here for more information now

UV laser marking has its own unique advantages and disadvantages compared to other laser marking technologies such as CO2 laser and fiber laser.

1. Wavelength and material adaptability

UV laser: The wavelength is usually 355nm, with strong material absorption ability, suitable for marking plastics, glass, ceramics, coated metals and other materials, especially heat-sensitive materials.

CO2 laser: The wavelength is 10.6nm, suitable for marking non-metallic materials such as paper, wood, plastic and leather, etc., but the ability to mark metals is weak, and coatings are usually required.

Fiber laser: The wavelength is 1064nm, suitable for marking metals and some plastics, and can efficiently mark most metal materials.

2. Marking quality and detail

UV laser: Due to its short wavelength, it can achieve high-precision and fine marking, and is often used in applications that require high detail and clarity.

CO2 laser: Suitable for marking larger areas, but not as good as UV laser in detail and precision.

Fiber laser: Provides better marking quality, can handle metals and achieve fine marking, but the accuracy is usually lower than UV laser.

3. Thermal impact

Ultraviolet laser: Due to the low heat-affected zone, it can mark without thermal deformation and is suitable for heat-sensitive materials.

CO2 laser: The thermal impact is relatively large, which may cause deformation and burning of materials.

Fiber laser: The thermal impact is moderate and relatively safe for metal marking.

4. Application areas

Ultraviolet laser: It is widely used in the identification of medical, electronic, food and high-end consumer products, especially suitable for occasions requiring high precision and fineness.

CO2 laser: It is mostly used for engraving and cutting of non-metallic materials such as wood and paper, suitable for packaging and handicrafts.

Fiber laser: It is commonly used for metal marking, deep etching and industrial applications, suitable for automotive, aerospace and other fields.

5. Cost and investment

Ultraviolet laser: The equipment investment is high, but due to its high efficiency and diversified applications, the long-term operating cost is controllable.

CO2 laser: The equipment cost is relatively low, suitable for a wide range of applications, but the ability in metal marking is limited.

Fiber laser: The equipment cost is moderate, and because it is applicable to more metals, it has become the first choice for many companies.

Choosing the right laser marking technology depends on the specific application requirements, including factors such as material type, required marking accuracy, thermal impact and cost. UV lasers have advantages in terms of detail and thermal impact, while CO2 and fiber lasers perform well in processing large areas of non-metallic and metallic materials. Click here for more information now