TIPS for

MARKING
IMPROVEMENT
M ARKIN G ON M ETALS
 COM PARIN G M ECHANI CAL M ARKIN G with L ASER M ARKIN G

MARKING PRESS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Initial costs are low 1. Cycle times are long
2. Deep engraving is possible Changing the printing content requires a lot of time
2.
and labour
3. Printing on uneven and curved surfaces is difficult
4. Small characters are difficult to print
5. Products are put under stress

LASER MARKING
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. High speed printing 1. Initial costs are high
2. Easily changeable marking content
Clearly legible print on uneven and
3.
curved surfaces
4. Characters can be as small as 1 mm
5. Products are not put under stress

COM PARIN G TH E L ASER M AKER with M ECHANI CAL M ARKIN G

Laser Marker Marking press

Marking contents can be changed

A D
without downtime

Printing on uneven and curved surfaces is possible A D

Products subjected to impact A E

Small characters can be printed A C

High production line speeds B C

*ABCDE : “A” ranking is the best.

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T H E L A S ER M A R K ER B EST S U I T ED F O R M E TA L P RO D U C TS

Metal Marking
Improving Processing
the warning Mechanism
labels of electrical appliances

Reflection, Absorption, and Transmission

Light When light is received, all objects experience Reflectivity + absorption rate +
Reflection “reflection,” “absorption,” and “transmission.” transmittance = 1
This relationship is a very important element for laser
Object marking and laser processing. Without increasing the temperature of the
The ratio of “reflection,” “absorption,” and object, processing becomes more difficult
Absorption
“transmission” of the received light, form the following as “reflection” and “transmission” increases.
Transmission Processing efficiency becomes better as
relationship.
“absorption” increases.

Main Types of Marking

1. Black (oxidation) marking

Principle
When laser light is irradiated on the target for marking, the focal
point is shifted and only heat is transmitted. An oxidised film is
created by imparting heat with scrapping and black marks are
made by making this oxidised film appear black.

2. White etching marking

Principle
Laser light irradiates the focal point on the target for marking.
The metal surface is finely etched, resulting in a rough surface.
This causes irregular reflection, producing markings that appear
white.

3. Engraving Marking

Principle
Laser light irradiates the focal point and etches the surface of
the target for marking. A deeply engraved impression can be
made by increasing the amount of engraving by increasing the
laser irradiation count.

4. Surface Peeling

Laser Principle
Uses laser irradiation to peel off the surface and remove the
electroplating of the target for marking. This makes the substrate
Base Materials visible, and brings the marking into view.

Continuous wave (CW) oscillation and pulsed oscillation There are two methods of laser oscillation as follows.

Continuous wave (CW) oscillation Pulsed oscillation

Emit a laser continuously to apply constant heat. Change the frequency repeatedly to adjust pulse energy.

A laser beam is A laser beam is stored

emitted constantly. and then emitted.
● Major applications: Welding, marking on IC packages ● Major applications: Peeling, colour development

  EYENCE laser markers allow switching between continuous wave (CW) oscillation and pulsed oscillation,
K
so that they can be used for every metal material.

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P RO C ES S I M P ROV E M EN T FRO M L A S ER M A R K I N G

Improving the warning

Improvements from roller
labels
presses
of electrical appliances

Roller presses are a very versatile method of marking metal, but they are also the one most often replaced by laser markers.
They are best suited for small lot manufacturing and marking on products where subjection to damage from pressure is not
an issue. The advantages of laser marking can be maximised in cases where products need to be labelled with short lead
times and fast cycle times. Laser marking creates permanent, contrasting marks without damaging products and can be
implemented in small lot batch production or high speed production lines.

APPLICATION
EXAMPLES

Nameplate Water faucet

Points of Improvement

Quality Cost Work Efficiency Environment

Even precision products can be
clearly marked without damage and
production history of products can be
recorded reliably.
The need for creating dies or stamps
for each product is eliminated.
Foreign languages and logos can
also be marked exactly the same as
they are input.
Substantial reduction in labour
hours associated with aspects such as
product changeovers, die replacement
and marking time.
Repetitive processes that require
human labour to complete are
eliminated as well as the potential
ailments associated with these
strenuous procedures.

4
P RO C ES S I M P ROV E M EN T FRO M L A S ER M A R K I N G

Improving the warning

Improvements from hand
labels
engravers
of electrical appliances

Hand engravers are used as an easy means to mark dies or precision products. The most common problem is that marking,
even on flat surfaces, varies considerably in quality depending on the operator. Even experienced operators have trouble
marking small products or those with curved surfaces. With laser markers, quality can be maintained on almost any shape
of surface and characters can be marked at 1 mm in size or less.

APPLICATION
EXAMPLES

Dental Implant Precision product

Points of Improvement

Quality Work Efficiency Environment

Quality levels will not vary due to the
operator’s skill level, which allows for
greater control over production quality.
Clear marking even on curved surfaces
and small products enhances flexibility
to mark on nearly any product.
Dozens of characters can be marked in
a fraction of a second, thereby allowing
for a substantial increase in production
and a reduction in labour hours
required to mark each item.
Repetitive processes that require
human labour to complete are
eliminated as well as the potential
ailments associated with these
strenuous procedures.

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P RO C ES S I M P ROV E M EN T FRO M L A S ER M A R K I N G

Improving the warning

Improvements from pinlabels
stamping
of electrical appliances

Pin stamping machines are designed to vibrate at high speeds to punch into metallic surfaces and create dented marks
in targets that represent characters or barcodes. Because the tip of the pin repeatedly strikes the target, tips wear out and
excess damage can occur on the surface of the target. As this happens the marks become illegible and causes additional
maintenance to be performed on the production line. Laser marking allows for nearly maintenance free marking solutions
without the need for consumable supplies. Barcodes and text remain legible from one part to the next with the high contrast
needed to ensure readability.

APPLICATION
EXAMPLES

Automobile parts 2D code marking

Points of Improvement

Quality Cost Work Efficiency Environment

Because the problem of variations
in marking quality due to pin
tip degradation is eliminated,
consistently readable 2D barcodes
and text can be generated with stable
quality from part to part.
Substantial reduction in costs related
to noise control, consumable items
and maintenance can be achieved
through the implementation of a laser
marking system.
Maintenance free marking allows Laser marking does not generate
for the elimination of labour hours loud noises thus creating a better
dedicated to the upkeep of tooling. work environment for those near the
marking system.

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P RO C ES S I M P ROV E M EN T FRO M L A S ER M A R K I N G

Improving the warning

Improvements from electrolytic
labels of etching
electrical appliances

Electrolytic etching causes metals to turn black by applying an electrical current to the surface after immersing the metal in
an electrolyte solution. This method is widely used for products that need to be marked without damage or to ensure that
the marks do not fade. This process is very time consuming and requires the storage of dangerous chemicals. The laser
marker, without the aid of any chemicals or stencils, allows for consistent black marking that does not damage the surface
of the product.

APPLICATION
EXAMPLES

Drill bit Metal components

Points of Improvement

Quality Cost Work Efficiency Environment

Clearly legible, high quality printing
is possible even on flat or curved
surfaces without damaging products.
Substantial reduction in labour costs
due to automation of the marking
process.
The process of stencil creation,
chemical application, masking,
etching and rinsing can be eliminated.
Even large production volumes can
be ready for quick delivery.
Elimination of the need to control
chemicals can result in improvement
in the work environment and
eliminate potentially harmful effects
on the environment.

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 LOCAL, IN-HOUSE TESTING LABS

Our customers have access to these test services provided by our

dedicated sales engineers. To request a test, visit the KEYENCE website
or contact your nearest KEYENCE office.

Before After
processing processing

MARKING PROCESSING

SAFETY INFORMATION
Please visit: www.keyence.com Please read the instruction manual carefully in
order to safely operate any KEYENCE product.

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The information in this publication is based on KEYENCE’s internal research/evaluation at the time of release and is subject to change without notice. WW11-1039
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