Machine type used LightWriter laser marking system
Laser sources Fibre laser
Application Text usage for instructions
Completion year 2016
Customer Withheld
Material Aluminium, black anodised

The example shows laser marking black anodised aluminium. Removing the anodising creates high character contrast ideal for this application.

Anodising explained

Anodising is an electrolytic passivation, widely used across industry on aluminium for a variety of reasons. The process offers a 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.

Laser marking black anodised aluminium, provides the highest contrast to the characters. In this example, we have used an Nd:YAG laser to vaporise the anodised surface exposing the host material.

Each block adds details to the use of each inlet/outlet facility for the engineers that will install at site.

Aluminium corrosion

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

How to achieve good results

To achieve consistent white marks on aluminium, you need the correct laser power, repetition rate, marking speed and image fill ratio. With most aluminium’s a slight deviation, either way, from your standard settings should be enough to pull back any variation you see. In some cases, it may also be worthwhile considering a second pass with much lower power settings to lightly skim the image, removing any burning caused by the initial process pass.

If you would like further information on this laser marking 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 between 10 and 25 microns, generally between 10 and…

VIEW CASE STUDY
laser marking anodised aluminium equipment front panel

Laser marking anodised aluminium – 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, 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 between 10 and 25 microns, generally between 10 and…

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