Product branding using laser marking
The corporate branding of this USB charger product, has been generated by laser marking using an Nd:YAG Q-switched laser. The material is aluminium with a clear anodised coating.
The process of branding using laser marking – engraving
Under normal circumstances, the anodised coating is removed in order to expose the base material, therefore creating the contrast levels required. However, with clear anodising this does not occur. The surface of the aluminium has to be marked in order to facilitate the contrast required.
Marking anodised aluminium using lasers – CO2
CO2 lasers can also be used to process anodised aluminium. In this case, it is the dye that is directly affected rather than the material. The energy from the laser creates a heating action that removes the dye from the surface. The use of CO2, is generally not as well received as Nd:YAG, due to the lower quality created by the mark process. This is directly related to the fact that the heating effect is difficult to control due to “heat creep”. The result is a fuzzy edge to the mark image, and not as crisp as with Nd:YAG. The main advantage is that no material is removed, leaving the anodising closer to its original state, and per unit cost will be slightly higher with CO2, due to the process time being slower.
Anodising
This electrolytic passivation is widely used across 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.
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.
