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Laser marked milling cutter |
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|  | Components and products are marked for many reasons, and the type of information put on the parts varies greatly. Some common examples are:
- Functional signs and symbols like lines and numbers on speedometers or the wash cycles on a washing machine
- Manufacturer and product information such as logos and the names / designations of parts or products
- Identification required by law such as expiration dates or material specifications
- Individual tracing codes such as serial numbers or customer data
- Individual codes for internal logistics and control of material flow at manufacturing facilities
- Center marks and marker lines for downstream fabrication steps such as welding
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Printed circuit board with laser-marked Data Matrix code |
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Among these applications, individual codes for tracing and
control of material flow are rapidly gaining in importance.
Such codes also serve to distinguish authentic brand-name
products from imitation or counterfeit goods. Laser markings
are regarded as high-quality features and, for this reason,
can often be found on premium products.
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| | Marking lasers typically work with short high-power laser pulses. Pulse power, duration, and frequency determine the available energy and this, in turn, influences the interaction between the laser beam and the material. Mirrors guide the laser beam at high speeds across the workpiece. Each laser pulse produces a pixel.
Laser marking is a generic term used to refer to several processes:
 Engraving,
Ablation,
Annealing,
Color change,
Foaming,
For specific jobs, the processes are selected on the basis of the material used and the quality requirements 1 of the application.
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