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Processing

Top 5 Challenges of Laser

The of Engraving Engraving is now done in high volume production with computer controlled laser systems.

High Volume Production

Engraving has been used for thousands of years to decorate, identify, or mark objects. Elaborate patterns on guns and pocket are common examples of the fine art of engraving. While it’s easy to think of engraving as something from a bygone era, it has many practical uses in today’s world. Everything from rubber stamps for addressing envelops to the intricate carvings on a to make coins are engraved. Once the sole realm of artisans, engraving is now done in high volume production with computer controlled laser systems on a range of consumer and industrial products.

Common Challenges In place of a chisel mechanically removing Engraving lines in larger areas material, laser beams are used to carve 1 out metal, , , , and many other materials with speed and precision. However, as with any Fumes and odors process, there are challenges that arise 2 and often the best solutions come from experience. Machine-to-machine variation Based on our years of and 3 process knowledge from working with consumer electronics, semiconductor, and contract manufacturers worldwide, Variation over time or across parts we’ve identified the five most common 4 challenges that stand between you and a perfect part: 5 rusting Now lets look at each of these five being generated. These reactions can challenges in more depth along with some generate a large amount of heat and effective resolutions for you to consider. have other undesirable side effects that will discolor or damage the part being Blend Those Lines engraved. Testing is the key to success Unwanted lines within your design are here. caused by the laser beam moving back and forth over the surface, removing Stick to the Recipe material as it goes. Sometimes there will You can expect variation in performance be a slight gap, leaving behind a barely from laser to laser. The more visible line. Properly set up, the lines will sophisticated laser systems compensate invisible to the naked eye, but there can for laser-to-laser variation. For the be variations. Blending each laser pass by other, less sophisticated systems, a enlarging the spot size will often eliminate global recipe will generally not work. this issue. This may slow the process but Each system will need its own recipe and the results will be precise and blemishes process. microscopic. Calibrate, Calibrate, Calibrate What’s Smoking? ariation over time or across the part has are not sabers. Material a number of possible causes. Some laser removed from the surface of the engraved types are more sensitive to temperature part vaporizes. This vapor can create a and humidity fluctuations. Ensure the distasteful odor and may be hazardous to room that houses the laser system is the operator. within the published environmental requirements and that the laser is in good It’s important to understand the vaporized operating condition. As lasers age their properties of the material being engraved. performance can become unstable. Keeping fumes and particles from falling Check the cleanliness of the cover . As back onto the engraved part and out of the the lens becomes dirty from accumulated work environment can be done without too particles, the performance changes. much effort. A bonus is that this will keep Also confirm that the process recipe has the parts from being discolored and taking enough of a window to accommodate on a chemical smell. variations. Often parts that have some sort of surface finish such as anodization Depending upon the material and the will have variation. The thickness of the removal amount, a directed flow using surface finish may vary from part to part a vacuum can be used to control fumes. and across a part, so allowing sufficient An assist gas can be added to trap margin will save headaches down the the particles and fumes just above the road. engraved surface and carry them away. Care should be taken when choosing the gas. Some gasses react with the plasma Rust Never Sleeps About ESI Stainless steel is an amazing product. It ESI’s integrated solutions allow industrial is designed to create a protective layer by designers and process engineers to control corroding. Chrome in the steel reacts with the power of laser light to transform materials in ways that differentiate their consumer the oxygen in the air before the iron does electronics, wearable devices, semiconductor and pushes the iron oxide out of the way. circuits and high-precision components for market advantage. ESI’s laser-based With the chromium oxide covering the manufacturing solutions feature the micro- surface there is no chance for the iron ’s highest precision and to react with oxygen and rust. When we speed, and target the lowest total cost of laser engrave stainless steel we alter the ownership. ESI headquarters is located in amount of chromium and other metals. Portland, Ore., with global operations from the This allows for oxygen to reach the iron, Pacific Northwest to the Pacific Rim. More information is available at www.esi.com. leading to rust.

A common solution is to chemically passivate the surface after . A more efficient solution is to use one of the newer laser passivation processes as a second step in the same laser system. Finished parts that are laser engraved can now be passivated concurrently, saving time and lowering production costs.

Meet the Challenges to Become a Modern Day Artisan Two of the five issues -- reducing the visible lines and fumes -- can be dealt with easily enough by following generally accepted best practices. Quality variations over time or across the part can be controlled by the system assuming proper system design and construction. ESI has put a great deal of time, effort, and experience into solving machine-to- machine variation and stainless steel and other metal engraving. For a more in depth look at the latest in adaptable laser micro machining on www. esi.com.