These marks are extremely durable and beneficial for industries where marks need to withstand harsh conditions. In the laser engraving process, the mark depth is typically up to 0.005 inches.Ī subset of this process, known as deep laser engraving, is characterized by a mark that is greater than 0.005 inches deep. In the laser etching process, this mark will reach a depth of about 0.0001 inches. The result is a smooth, high-contrast, lasting mark, which can be human readable (serial number) or machine readable (barcode), etched or engraved into the part's surface. The heat generated by the light energy allows the laser machine to alter the material's surface, while the focal point ensures it affects only a specified part of the surface. The laser beam targets a small area of the material, known as the focal point. To create permanent marks, laser etching and engraving processes start with a beam of concentrated light energy. Certain industries also require particular marking depths to meet regulatory standards. For instance, some post-processing applications such as galvanizing require greater mark depth to ensure mark quality and readability. The method you select is dependent on the type of mark you want to achieve. As the depth of the laser etched mark increases, it is often considered engraving followed by deep engraving. The key difference between these techniques is the depth of the mark. The terms laser etching and laser engraving are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions between them. What Types of Laser Engraver Technology Will Make These Marks? What is the Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving?
What is the Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving? Other important manufacturing information.There is also a range of industrial applications where manufacturers can use laser etching and engraving to mark the following: These versatile part marking methods can be used on almost any material, making them an ideal solution for a variety of industries that require permanent marks for part identification and traceability.
Both laser etching and engraving fall under the general category of laser marking. Laser etching and engraving are similar in that they produce permanent marks created when a laser removes material from the surface of an object.