An Overview of Laser Etching
Laser etching is when a laser is used to mark or ‘etch’ on an object. Many materials can be etched on with lasers such as natural materials like wood, one of the first things to have been marked with a laser. Other things are used for laser etching such as metals, plastics, or even stone and glass. The technique used in laser etching is very technical and complex however, so a computer is generally used to mark something with a laser.
Laser etching machines require three things: a laser, a controller, and something to be marked that can be properly marked with a laser. The laser works by heating up and vaporizing certain materials at the point where the laser makes contact with the material being used. Another way that it works is by making the material fracture so then the material to be removed splits off from the rest of the material. The controller can have patterns programmed into it so it therefore requires no human involvement to actually mark the material, therefore, you are left with an extremely precise etching onto the surface of your material. Using lasers to mark something is also a great deal better than any other method of marking such as actually making contact with the material using drill bits, as the laser doesn’t actually touch the material so therefore you never have to change drill bits.
Laser etching is used throughout much of the world for many normal things. They can be used to engrave expiration dates on bottles, or serial codes on metal pieces for just about anything. Using lasers has also appeared in an unlikely place, the jewelry industry. Due to the fact that a laser can mark on both flat and curved surfaces, it becomes perfect for use with jewelry.
