Machine type usedM Series laser marking system
Laser sourceNd:YAG Q switched laser
ApplicationPersonalisation of item
Completion year2015
CustomerWithheld
MaterialSteel, Nickle & Gold plated

A start-up company wanted to experiment with lasers, with a view to offering some form of personalisation, on a range of jewellery being offered to its potential market.

The majority of the products were based around gold plated finishing. The Nd:YAG seemed to provide the greatest flexibility, enhanced by the larger spot size of the beam. It was felt that the larger beam size provided high contrast and visibility of the mark on the highly reflective gold surfaces. In the example shown, the vaporisation to the surface is through the gold plating and nickel down to the base materials, where the surface oxidisation is providing the black mark aspect that you see. While this might seem like over kill, that customer wanted to see the highest impact possible before making a final decision on marking parameters.

While it would be more ideal to laser mark before plating, logistically this would not work. In the first instance, the customer would work through the subcontract marking route, until numbers were such, that the logistical aspect would easily justify the purchase of a machine.

Gold is not compatible with the thermal-bonding process known as Thermark, so this could not be used to achieve higher levels of contrast to the surface.

If you would like further information on this laser application, 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
product branding by laser marking anodised aluminium

Product branding by laser marking anodised Aluminium

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,…

VIEW CASE STUDY