Non-contact Permanent Marking
Laser marking is a thermal process that uses the heat generated by a laser beam to alter the surface of the material being marked. There are several ways a laser can create marks, depending on the material and its surface finish, the wavelength of the laser, and the settings used in the laser software.
Lasers mark high-resolution text, graphics, bar codes, and on bare or coated materials. Fast, galvo-driven lasers print messages in just seconds to keep up with high-volume production needs.
Without the need for inks, fluids, or other consumables, lasers are a cost-effective and maintenance-free way to mark items.
Fast and easy setup with EuGENIUS software
All Automator lasers come with the simple yet powerful EuGENIUS marking software. Setting up marking programs is easy with its drag-and-drop interface. To automate the data entry process, explore the advanced communication options.
Integrated
Incorporate laser marking into production lines or automated cells.
Compact industrial laser marking heads offer robust features for manufacturing environments.
Automator laser systems can operate with or without a PC. Use Ethernet, I/O, or fieldbus communications for seamless integration.
workstations
Class 1 laser enclosures provide safety and ease of use.
These complete workstations include a marking laser housed in a laser-safe enclosure with a simple front control panel.
Choose a system based on the materials you would like to mark as well as the volume and marking speed required.
Portable
Mark large parts and hard-to-reach areas.
Portable laser marking systems offer flexibility for marking on large items.
The powerful fiber laser offers fast, permanent, high-resolution identification.
Tag & Plate
Fast, automated marking of metal tags and nameplates.
Choose a laser engraving system designed to hold your existing tags, nameplates, or foil labels.
ATF and PLACA enclosures are compatible with any Automator laser to ensure optimum compatibility with your materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different laser processing techniques can be used to produce the type of mark you require on your material. Some techniques create deep marks, some create high-contrast colored marks, and so on. Several factors are taken into consideration to determine the most suitable laser and technique for each application.
See for yourself. Sample marking on your items can be accomplished in Pannier’s laser marking lab.
Laser marks are permanent. Compared to a printing process where ink or paint is applied to the surface of a part, laser marking uses thermal energy to remove or darken a surface. The resulting marks are not affected by light, heat, fluids, or mild abrasion.
Laser engraving is the process of using thermal energy to vaporize and thereby remove small amounts of material. In laser etching, thermal energy is used to alter the material, thereby creating contrasting textured or colored marks.
Click here to learn more about the various ways lasers can mark materials.
During laser engraving, a precise amount of the material is removed. The amount is based on several factors and settings:
- The material being marked and its compatibility with the laser wavelength being used.
- The wattage of the laser.
- The marking power and speed settings being used.
- The number of passes. A laser system can be programmed to mark a message multiple times in the same location to achieve a deeper mark.
Class 1/Class I laser systems use safety enclosures to completely enclose the laser beam during operation so that no additional safety precautions are necessary. Laser-safe glass is used to eliminate the possibility of eye damage while viewing the laser.
Class 4/Class IV lasers are visible-beam lasers that do not have guarding around the beam, which can cause burns, injury, and eye damage. When integrating Class 4 lasers into production environments, safety precautions must be employed including laser-safe enclosures or eye protection and the use of safety interlocks.
Learn more about lasers and laser safety at the OSHA web site.
