LASER MARKING AND LASER ENGRAVING

Add the finishing touch with permanent laser marking and laser engraving from Arrow Cryogenics

Why Laser Mark/Laser Engrave?

Manufacturers are increasingly using laser marking and laser engraving. Today, laser marking is used for applications as diverse as:

• Product identification
• Product traceability
• Protection of product from imitation
• Better legibility
• Long term durability
• Resistance to high temperature sterilization
• Bio-compatibility with base material
• Providing functional information for components

Unlike ink, laser marking is much more precise, is environmentally clean and requires no drying time.

Laser marking works on virtually any material.

Our state of the art, high-speed, non-contact laser marking systems provide superior results on nearly any material that you need marked. Arrow Cryogenics currently uses three different types of lasers: YAG, UV, and green lasers. Our YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser produces a 1064 nm wavelength. Our UV (ultraviolet) laser produces a 355nm wavelength. And our green laser produces a 532nm wavelength.

Having three different types of lasers allows us to laser mark on nearly all materials. From laser marking steel to laser marking plastic, the laser process can mark components that are too difficult or impossible using other methods.

How does laser marking work?

Laser light is distinguished by a characteristic wavelength for the respective laser type and the power density. The laser beam is focused on the material to be marked and the beam reacts with the surface of the material. The effects of the laser beam will depend on the wavelength of the laser, interaction time of the laser beam with the material, and the type of material.

Laser marking methods include:

• Laser engraving, sometimes referred to as laser etching
• Laser annealing
• Material removal
• Change in color or bleaching
• Foaming

Laser engraving/laser etching

Laser engraving can be used on diverse materials such as polymers, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum and other metal alloys. The high power of the laser evaporates the material during the process, resulting in an engraved surface. Oxides sometimes form in the engraving, which make the mark clearer and more visible. Laser engraving does not involve tool bits, which are in contact with the material’s surface and eventually wear out. Laser etching is considered an advantage over alternative engraving technologies, as there are no bit heads to replace.

Laser annealing

The surface of the material is locally heated to form a very thin oxide layer. Different colors are created depending on the power that is applied.

Material removal

Coated materials can be marked by removing the top layer with a laser. Anodizing on aluminum is often removed to produce a clear, clean mark.

Change in color or bleaching

This process is mainly used on plastics. The structure of the individual molecules or additives such as color pigments are directly changed or destroyed through laser marking. A change in color or bleaching is then visible on the material to create a mark.

Foaming

Foaming is only possible on certain plastics. The laser melts the plastic locally creating gas bubbles in the material. When the material cools, it encapsulates the bubbles in the material. A raised surface is then formed to create the mark.

Laser marking/laser engraving is just one of the services we offer. Along with having your components marked at Arrow Cryogenics ask about ultrasonic cleaning, stainless steel passivation, shot blasting, or any of the other services we offer.

Arrow Cryogenics specializes in marking the smallest components.	Our laser marking machines are set up inside of positive air filtered rooms. This allow us to provide you with the cleanliness level you are expecting.