LASER MARKING

Nd:YAG AND Nd:YVO4 LASERS

 HOW A LASER MARKER WORKS

FEATURES:
• Marks text, barcodes and
datamatrix codes, logos and
graphics
• Imports .jpg, .bmp, .dxf and
other formats
• Variable text, data and batch
codes can be linked to external
database
• Windows® based control
software
• Marking fields up to 12” x12”
How it works: The laser is steered by mirrors mounted onto galvo motors to • Character size down to
produce the mark. Each mirror moves along a single axis. These galvos move 0.004”
extremely quickly with very little inertia, and, therefore, can write marks at high
speeds. The beam is focused using an F-Theta lens. • RS232 and external I/O for
ease of integration
HOW A LASER MARKS • Rotary motion for
The laser marks (ablates, melts, vaporizes, or removes) materials using a fine spot circumferential welding
diameter which ranges from 0.002” – 0.01”. It marks with short pulses (30 nanoseconds),
providing precise mark control and negligible heat input. Subsequently, mark
penetration into the material of less than 0.001” unless otherwise required.

High speed mark in plastics, annealing mark in BENEFITS

some metals • Non-contact, direct mark
process
• No post processing
Most common type of mark, the material melts • High speed
and creates surface relief.
• High quality
• Permanent marks

Material is vaporized, contrast is optical effect • Dynamic mark sizing

with ambient light • Datamatrix code friendly
• Wide range of markable
materials
Material removal and surface melt, common in
marks requiring lifetime readability in a demand-
ing environment.
 LASER MARKING EXAMPLES
Steel Component
Plastic Molded Part
Marking Plastics
Lasers are the best solution for marking
plastics, as many inks either have
difficulty adhering to them or quickly
wear away, and many labels simply will
not stick. Other processes produce
unclear marks or require post-process
operations. Laser marks generally require
no post-process finishing operations
and so can be shipped immediately.
Lasers produce contrasting, high quality
marks on a wide range of plastics. With
the development of additive pigments
and resins that enhance contrast, virtually
any plastic can now be laser marked.
Marking Metals
By using fine spot sizes to increase
power density, many metals can be
marked extremely well. High contrast
marks can be produced on stainless
steels and titanium. These highly
permanent marks, which have no
crevices or features to attract debris,
Anodized Aluminum Day / Night Switch
Medical Implantable Device Fine Mark Next to Penny
care ideal for medical, food and
pharmaceutical applications.
Other key metals such as aluminum
are engraved to minimal depths such
that the mark has good permanency
but does not affect the material’s bulk
properties.
However, an engraved mark that Free Evaluation
penetrates into the material can also be Service
produced in applications that require an
Unitek Miyachi offers a free service
increased level of wear resistance.
to evaluate your application.
Simply send a few samples to our
Part Tracking and Traceability laser applications lab in Monrovia,
With the flexibility of marking characters, along with a brief mark description,
barcodes or datamatrix codes on and we’ll mark and return them to
plastics and metals, laser marking is you with a written evaluation and
well geared to direct part marking for product recommendation.
identification purposes. Laser marking
Alternatively, contact our staff
systems linked to part information
directly to discuss your application.
databases are able to automatically
increment serial numbers or data Tel. (626) 303-5676
codes that can be verified by in-system Email: lasers@unitekmiyachi.com
readers.
 MARKING SUITABILITY OF MATERIALS

MATERIAL CONTRAST MATERIAL CONTRAST

Ceramic Good Titanium Excellent
Glass Poor
PC Board
Metals Bare Good
Aluminum Coated fiber Good
Anodized Excellent Fiber substrate (FR4) Poor
Bare Good
Painted Excellent Plastics
Copper ABS Excellent
Brass (bare) Good Acrylic Good
Copper (bare) Good Epoxy Good
Copper (nickel coated) Good Melamine Poor
Cobalt Good Mylar (silver nickel coating) Good
Germanium Good Nylon (natural) Poor
Gold Poor Nylon (pigment, glass filled) Good
Invar Excellent PES/PET/PBT Good
Inconel Excellent Phenolic Good
Kovar (gold plated) Good Polyacetal (POM) Good
Silver Good Polycarbonate (Lexan®) Excellent
Steel Polyethylene OK
Carbon steel Excellent PVC Excellent
Chrome plated Good Styrene Excellent
Hardened Good
Nickel plated Excellent Rubber Poor
MIM Parts Excellent Silicon Good
Stainless (300 & 400) Excellent Wood Poor
Surgical steel Excellent

Your Local Representative

Corporate Office: 1820 S. Myrtle Ave. • P.O. Box 5033 • Monrovia, CA 91017-7133 USA
Tel: (626) 303-5676 • FAX: (626) 358-8048 • E-Mail: info@unitekmiyachi.com
Internet http://www.unitekmiyachi.com
EASTERN (USA) Sales Office: ASIA Sales Office: EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS
21 Cummings Park, Suite 252 Unit D, 20/F, Infotech Centre UNITEK EAPRO:
Specifications subject to change without notice. Woburn, MA 01801 21 Hung To Road Schootense Dreef 21
991-005 12/04

Tel: (781) 935-0442 Kwun Tong, Hong Kong NL-5708 HZ Helmond

Copyright© 2004 Unitek Miyachi Corporation. The material contained herein
FAX: (781) 935-1485 Tel: +852 2833-6998 The Netherlands
cannot be reproduced or used in any other way without the express written
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