Development history of laser marking machines

1960s: The Birth of Laser Technology

Background: Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) technology was invented in 1960 by American physicist Theodore Maiman, who successfully produced the first ruby ​​laser. The high energy density and monochromaticity of lasers laid the foundation for marking technology.

Applications: Early lasers were primarily used in scientific research and military fields and were not widely used in industrial marking.

1970s-1980s: The Rise of YAG Laser Markers

Technological Breakthrough: In the 1970s, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers began to be used in industry. YAG lasers primarily emit infrared light at a wavelength of 1064nm, making them suitable for processing metals and some non-metallic materials.

Features: Early YAG laser markers used lamp-pumped technology. These devices were bulky, consumed high power (approximately 6500W), and had a large spot size, making them suitable for rough machining but not for fine marking. Applications: Primarily used for marking metal products and electronic components, such as serial numbers and trademarks.

Limitations: Frequent krypton lamp replacement, high maintenance costs, and low efficiency.

1990s: Popularization of semiconductor and CO2 laser marking machines

Semiconductor laser marking machines: In the 1990s, semiconductor-pumped YAG lasers gradually replaced lamp-pumped YAG lasers. Semiconductor lasers offer higher photoelectric conversion efficiency (approximately 40%), more stable equipment, and longer maintenance-free life.

CO2 laser marking machines: Based on a 10.64μm wavelength gas laser, they are suitable for marking non-metallic materials (such as wood, plastic, and glass) and are widely used in industries such as packaging and apparel.

Features: Reduced equipment size and improved marking accuracy have expanded their application areas to electronics, medical, and food packaging.

Early 21st Century: The Revolution of Fiber Laser Marking Machines

Technological Advances: In the 2000s, fiber lasers became mainstream. Fiber lasers with a 1064nm wavelength offer high electro-optical conversion efficiency (over 40%), low power consumption (approximately 1800W/H), and a long lifespan (up to 150,000 hours, or approximately 10 years maintenance-free).

Advantages: Fiber laser marking machines are compact, maintenance-free, and produce high-precision markings, making them suitable for high-end applications such as mobile phone keypads and jewelry.

Expanded Applications: Widely used for fine marking of metals (such as stainless steel, aluminum, and copper) and high-density plastics, supporting complex patterns such as barcodes and QR codes.

2010s: The Rise of UV and Green Laser Marking Machines

UV laser marking machines: Using a 266nm or 355nm wavelength as their core, they are a cold-processing technology with minimal thermal impact, making them suitable for fine marking of heat-sensitive materials (such as glass, ceramics, and thin films). Green laser marking machine: 532nm wavelength, suitable for high-precision processing, such as on solar wafers and precision instruments.

Features: Marking line widths as small as 10μm and controllable depth meet the needs of marking micro parts.

2020s to Present: Intelligence and Automation