Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving

1
sales_at_altparts.com
Difference between Laser Etching and Laser
Engraving
While you might have heard about laser cutting,
being a newbie, you probably might not know
about laser etching and engraving. Therefore, it
might be difficult for you to choose the right
laser services for your business.
www.altparts.com
2
sales_at_altparts.com
In general, laser engraving and etching are the
processes of creating permanent markings on the
material. They belong to the same category,
i.e., laser marking. They are equally compatible
with Mazak parts and Fanuc parts. However, they
still differ a lot. Where laser etching can reach
a depth of 0.0001 inches, laser engraving can
only reach a depth of 0.005 inches. Let's learn
about them in depth. Laser Etching
Process Laser etching is a process that creates
a mark by melting the surface. It's an enhanced
concept that involves laser engraving and laser
annealing. To make the mark, laser beams generate
a high amount of heat, which then distorts the
microsurface. The markings are in white and
black color. It is the preferable choice for
permanent marking as it requires less energy
from the laser beam. You can use this process for
marking, such as data matrix codes, serial
numbers, barcodes, and logos.
www.altparts.com
3
sales_at_altparts.com

• When can you use the Laser Etching Process?
• If your part is made of metal beside stainless
  steel.
• You need a cost-effective solution that requires
  a less intense laser beam.
• You need the laser process to be fast.
• When you need to integrate the marking before the
  final treatment like powder coating and heat
  treating.
• Laser Engraving Process
• In this process, the laser sends the highly
  localized pulse over a thin layer of sheet and
  creates a code. Instead of creating
  micro-surface like etching, the laser engraving
  penetrates the material, exposing the cavity to
  reveal the image. Here, the laser causes the
  material to vaporize. The typical use of this
  technique is to engrave serial numbers and logos.
  You shouldnt use it for marking critical parts.

www.altparts.com
4
sales_at_altparts.com

• When can you use it?
• You need durable marks
• The material is either steel or aluminum
• You need to integrate markings before treatments
  like shot blasting and sandblasting.
• Why do you need Laser Etching and Laser
  Engraving?
• There are different marking technologies like
  inkjet printing, dot peening, and printed
  labels. However, they come with their
  maintenance and consumable costs. Not to miss the
  inconsistent results of these unreliable marking
  systems.
• Laser etching and engraving processes use
  high-quality parts such as Mazak parts and Fanuc
  parts. It reduces consumable costs and encodes
  the information permanently. The product can't
  detach after marking. The processes involve high
  resolution, which means you can encode more
  information in less space. Laser marking
  technologies like Fiber and CO2 require no
  maintenance pulse fibers consume very little
  power.

www.altparts.com
5
sales_at_altparts.com

• Difference between Laser Etching and Laser
  Engraving
• Though both are susceptible to make a permanent
  mark, here are the differences that distinguish
  them.
• Laser etching is fast, whereas laser engraving is
  durable.
• Laser etching melts the material and thus
  requires less energy. Laser engraving vaporizes
  it and requires more energy.
• Laser engraving digs holes that have better
  protection over abrasion. Laser etching loses it
  over.
• Laser etching can lift upto 80 microns, whereas
  laser engraving can lift upto 500 microns.
• Laser etching only creates black and white marks.
  For high contrast markings, you should prefer
  laser engraving.
• Laser etching is a preferable option unless you
  require high abrasion resistance. In that case,
  laser engraving would be the right choice.
• The markings of laser etching processes are
  usually pale, whereas engraving ensures dark
  marks.

www.altparts.com
6
sales_at_altparts.com
Conclusion Choosing one is not that difficult
unless you have a lot of requirements. If you
don't need a detailed and resistant work
feature, you can go for laser etching. The
material would matter, though. For a high
resistant mark, choose laser engraving. This is
what we think, but your final choice should be
the one that meets all your conditions. This
Article Post is Originally Posted here
https//penzu.com/public/0ac8c289
www.altparts.com