Choosing a Laser

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Choosing a laser

TherMark laser marking materials work with almost any laser to expand its capabilities and improve the value of the laser alone. Whether you already own a laser(s) or are looking to buy one, it is important to understand how TherMark products from Jorlink can help you with laser marking orders. Two popular lasers in use today and worth discussing are CO2 lasers and solid state.

CO2 lasers alone

CO2 lasers are the most inexpensive way to get involved in laser marking. They are commonly used to mark, etch and/or cut organic materials such as wood, plastic and glass. Depending on power and quality CO2 lasers typically range in price from as low as $5,000 up to about $40,000. Two major drawbacks of CO2 lasers are that they have very little metal marking capabilities and they cause micro-fractures when used to etch glass.

CO2 lasers are most commonly supplied as XY table systems which are driven in a similar way to a standard printer. For small custom jobs or medium-size batch jobs they’re very appropriate; However, increasingly, laser manufacturers are offering beam steered CO2 systems designed to be integrated into production lines thus for higher volume processing.

CO2 lasers paired with TherMark laser marking materials

The primary benefit of using TherMark laser marking materials with CO2 lasers is the ability to mark metals. At Jorlink we offer a number of TherMark products which enable CO2 laser users to create permanent, high-contrast, high-resolution black marks on almost any metal, including anodized aluminum and chrome or nickel plating.

This combination gives the user the best of both worlds: the low entry cost of a CO2 laser and the advanced capability of laser marking metals. Even a more expensive solid state laser cannot produce black marks on anodized aluminum and chrome or nickel plating – this is only possible with TherMark laser marking material.

Finally, TherMark laser marking materials for glass and ceramic allow CO2 laser users to make black or single color marks on these substrates, as well. While some micro-fracturing of glass may still occur, laser marking materials absorb most of the laser’s thermal energy and thus help protect the glass.

Solid state lasers alone

While solid state lasers are beginning to drop in price, they are still a far more expensive alternative to CO2 lasers. Ranging from $20,000 - $80,000, the two major advantages solid state lasers offer are that they are able to mark on metal and they offer a smaller spot size (enabling them to mark faster and in finer detail than a CO2). Solid state lasers are used primarily for marking on metals (carbon migration or annealing) and plastics. Since the wavelength of the beam in a solid state lasers passes through glass, direct marking of glass is not practical.

One thing that is important to understand about direct marking on metal with a solid state laser is that it is actually changing (and often weakening) the metal being marked thus making it unsuitable for many critical structural applications. These marks may be susceptible to corrosion in harsh environments (salt spray, chemical etc.) and may also fade over time with extended UV exposure. The contrast and subsequent visibility of the mark may also lessen.

Solid state lasers primarily come as beam steered systems so they are appropriate for small jobs all the way up to high volume integrated manufacturing.

Solid state lasers with TherMark laser marking materials

TherMark laser marking materials paired with solid state lasers are expand the lasers’ ability to make black or color marks on glass & ceramic and to improve the quality of direct marks on metal with minimal damage to these substrates. In fact, the ability to mark on glass and ceramic is only available when using TherMark laser marking materials. This opens up a wide range of applications: automotive glass, porcelain sanitary ware, pharmaceutical & scientific glass, decorative glass & tile, dinnerware, cookware, etc.

Solid state lasers can create direct marks on many metals, however these marks have a poor viewing angle and are often brownish-black rather than true black The marks may also fade with extended UV exposure and allow corrosion. By using TherMark laser marking materials to create a bonded mark rather than a direct mark, the mark will be more permanent, have a better viewing angle, and have a higher level of contrast and resolution. If machine readability is an issue such as that of data matrices and bar codes this becomes an especially advantageous reason for pairing with a process like TherMark’s.