Machine type usedLightWriter laser marking system
Laser sourceFibre
ApplicationCompany and product branding
Completion year2014
CustomerDynamique Audio
MaterialAluminium, Anodised black

A good example of product branding by laser marking is anodised aluminium. It is used in high end audio accessories in the form of cable tidies.  The aluminium is highly polished, prior to anodising, in order to achieve the high gloss finish on the part.

The laser process, delivers small pulses of energy to the component surface. These pulses have enough energy to vaporise the surface of the aluminium where the anodised coating occurs. This exposes the base material, aluminium, creating a high contrast result.

The product branding of the anodised aluminium is being used for aesthetic reasons, therefore, there are no technical issues with exposing the base material.

This electrolytic passivation is widely used across the industry on aluminium for a variety of reasons. The process can also provide a huge range of colour variations through the use of colour dying. The process changes the microscopic texture of the aluminium, by modifying the crystal structure near the surface.

Exposing the base aluminium like this provides a very high degree of contrast.

Aluminium Corrosion

The general consensus is, as the laser removes the anodised layer, an oxide layer forms very quickly on the surface. This provides protection, to the material beyond the oxide layer thickness preventing corrosion.

Laser marking using CO2

CO2 can also be used for this type of application. CO2 wavelength could be used, however, in this instance, the dye will be removed, without any disruption to the material surface.  While this can provide certain advantages, the quality of the mark is difficult to maintain. CO2 will heat the plate, while attempting to remove the dye through a chemical reaction, and in doing so, heat creep can occur. This shows up as blurred edges to the mark, and requires a very concise set up of the laser parameters.

The combined precision of the beam placement, along with our tooling design means the part and mark are precisely aligned every time we set up a new batch of parts. Tooling design uses a cross slot and dowel locating system, while jigging is specifically designed to accommodate both simple and complex shapes as required. The operating software holds positional data, so that the laser and tooling are aligned.

Laser marking subcontract services

If you would like further information on this laser marking service, or any other application, please request a call back or talk to one of our laser marking specialists on 01737 826902

Our Case Studies

laser marking anodised aluminium

Laser marking Anodised Aluminium – Electrical symbols

Anodising has become a dominant form of finishing for aluminium. This is largely due to its cost effectiveness, availability and suitability, across a whole host of applications and industrial sectors. Laser marking anodised aluminium, has also become an accepted process across these industrial sectors.

Anodising is an electrolytic passivation process. It changes the microscopic texture of the aluminium by modifying the crystal structure near the surface. The passivation thickness will be…

VIEW CASE STUDY
laser marking anodised aluminium panels - equipment front panel

Laser Marking Anodised Aluminium Panels- Equipment Front Panels

Anodising has become a dominant form of finishing for aluminium. This is largely due to its cost effectiveness, availability and suitability, across a whole host of applications and industrial sectors. Laser marking anodised aluminium panels, has also become an accepted process across these industrial sectors.

What is Anodised Aluminium

Anodising is an electrolytic passivation process. It changes the microscopic texture of the aluminium by…

VIEW CASE STUDY
Laser marking barcodes for the automotive applications

Laser marking barcodes automotive applications

Laser marking barcodes.

In this example, laser marking barcodes are used as part of the overall vehicle information plate, with the barcode containing the vehicles serial number information.

Anodised aluminium is a widely used material combination in today's industrial markets. The ability to create a wide range of colours makes it ideal for many applications.

The laser process is used to remove the anodised surface, creating a very high contrast level. This contrast level is important in the reading of…

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