Metal laser marking and engraving refers to marking a product with a atomstack laser marking machine. Depending on the material and quality requirements, a distinction is made between different processes, such as annealing or ablation. Atomstack offers you a variety of different laser machines for marking all kinds of metals.
Laser Engraving
Engraving metal with a laser is primarily used for custom and finishing products such as promotional items, signage, mugs, front panels, pens and industrial labels. When the laser beam hits the metal, it is heated to vaporize the surface, creating a permanent and wear-resistant engraving. The carving can be seen and felt as a groove. This is often contrasted, but it should be noted that rust-resistant steels sometimes lose their corrosion-resistant properties around engravings due to unmixed alloy components.
Black Marking Metal
In black marking, localized heating of the metal surface leads to the formation of an oxide layer. It has a particularly high contrast and wear resistance. The process is suitable for marking smartphones and laptops, as well as unique device identification for medical products and black anodized aluminum.
Annealing marking
Annealed marking allows imperceptible marking while the surface of the material remains intact. During this process, the heat of the laser marker triggers oxidation and diffusion processes on the surface, which create contrast on the surface. Iron and iron alloys can develop different colors (annealed colors) depending on the temperature. Any metal that discolors under the influence of heat and oxygen can be annealed and marked. It is especially suitable for medical products.
Ablation
Color laser marking of metals is achieved by selectively removing the topcoat, allowing a different colored undercoat to emerge. This process is often used for anodizing aluminum and painted metals.