The new Alase Technologies, Inc. UltraScribe 10-Watt CO2 Laser marking
system offers a complete solution for marking on plastics, wood, packaging,
glass and semi-conductor components.
Clearly marks barcodes, alphanumeric text, serialization, and graphics.
Systems offer easy integration, compact packaging, built in power
supply and controls, and intuitive WinLase Software.
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Laser Marking Systems : Laser Types
Laser is light, a special type of light of a single wavelength in which
all the light waves line up in perfect order (coherence), like soldiers
in step marching across a bridge.
As light, it comes in literally all the colors of the rainbow, and many
more which cannot be seen with the naked eye. But for industrial purposes
two types of lasers predominate: near infrared YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet)
with a wavelength of 1.06 microns, and far-infrared CO2 (named for the
gas which is the lasing medium) with a wavelength of 10.6 microns.
See YAG Laser Markers
and CO2 Laser Markers.
Materials react differently to the different wavelengths of light. For
instance, ordinary glass is transparent to YAG laser light. Glass is even
used for lenses to focus the beam of a YAG laser.
However, glass is nearly opaque to the longer CO2 wavelength. Because
its energy is absorbed instead of transmitted, CO2 engraves glass. On
the other hand, most metals readily absorb YAG infrared light and are
easily marked by YAG laser. Low power CO2 laser beams used for marking
tend to reflect off metals and do not mark metals well.
The general rule is: that metals are best marked with YAG, and wood,
paper and glass are best marked with CO2. Plastics tend to mark better
with YAG, but cut better with CO2. Synthetics, composites and filled materials
need to be evaluated on a case by case basis. Of course, as in all general
rules, there are many exceptions.
This is why Alase Technologies,
Inc. designs and manufactures both YAG and CO2 systems to meet virtually
every marking need, and provides job
shop and consultation services.
Request more information.
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