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Marking Automotive Parts with Fiber Laser Machines

The automotive industry extensively uses both flatbed fiber lasers and galvo fiber lasers for various manufacturing processes. Fiber lasers are used in car manufacturing to permanently mark parts and components with serial numbers, logos, barcodes, and much more. They can mark and etch on metal and non-metal materials, making them very useful for auto manufacturers.

Compatible materials

Engineers designed both fiber and galvo laser machines to mark bare metals and a variety of engineered plastics. Common materials marked with a fiber and/or galvo laser machine include:

Metals: stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, gold, silver, platinum, and more.
Plastics: Plastics: ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene, and more.
Engineered materials: Silicon wafers, carbon composites, etc.

Common Laser Applications in the Automotive Industry

Manufacturers use flatbed fiber or galvo lasers to mark car parts because they are accurate, quick, and flexible. Here are some common applications that can be done in both of these types of lasers.

Serial Numbers and VIN Marking

Car parts can have a unique serial number or VIN for tracking and quality control. The serial number or VIN identifies each individual part. This helps ensure that the part meets quality standards. It also helps track the part throughout the manufacturing process.

Barcodes and QR Codes

Laser marking barcodes or QR codes on automotive parts helps track them automatically. It also helps manage inventory and quality assurance in the supply chain

Compliance Marking

Car parts need marking to follow rules like CE marking, RoHS compliance, or safety certifications. Fiber lasers can accurately mark compliance symbols, logos, or text onto parts.

Anti-counterfeiting Measures

Laser marking can help prevent fake products by adding security features to car parts. These features may include small text, secret codes, or marks that show if someone has tampered with the parts. This helps to deter counterfeiting.

Part Identification

Labeling parts with numbers helps identify them during assembly, repair, and maintenance.

Logo and Branding

Lasers can add logos, brand names, or other branding elements to automotive parts

Date and Time Stamping

Putting dates on car parts helps keep track of inventory and warranties.

Laser Surface Texturing

Laser surface texturing can make car parts like brake pads, clutch plates, and gears have less friction. This can help them perform better and last longer.

Material Traceability

Marking materials used in automotive parts, such as alloy composition or material grade, provides crucial information for recycling, maintenance, and repair processes.

Component Assembly Aids

Laser marking can help with putting car parts together by showing instructions, guides, or markings on the parts. This makes it easier to assemble and reduces mistakes.

The Perfect Choice

Flatbed fiber and galvo fiber laser systems can mark materials quickly and accurately for automotive manufacturing. They can mark metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites with precision. These features make them an ideal solution for various automotive part marking applications.

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What types of Marks can you Achieve?

Engrave a variety of common marks quickly and easily

Etch

People often use etching for industrial purposes to mark tools or parts with serial numbers, logos, and bar codes. The etching process removes material from the metal. Material is taken away to make a mark like a barcode or data matrix code. This creates a clear mark on the metal through a shallow engraving.

Anneal

An annealed mark is like the polishing process. The laser heats the metal to near melting points, causing a color change to the top layer of material. Depending on the metal type, annealing often gives a dark, almost iridescent look. Similarly, you can use fiber and galvo parameter settings to purposefully produce distinct colors on certain materials.

Since no material is removed from the metal, this technique is often used for medical devices used within the human body. Annealing creates a dark mark without cuts or shallow engravings, unlike marking and etching.

Polish

A laser beam heats the surface of the material to create polished metal, also known as “mirrored.” The surface then cools down, resulting in a shiny finish. Most common on matte-finish metal, this technique creates marks that can look almost holographic.

Unlike etching, the heat alters the finish of the metal without removing any material from it. The polished look is commonly found on fancy signs and high-quality product labels. It is used to give them a sophisticated and unique appearance. The mirrored finish creates a tone-on-tone look by marking the metal.

People also use this technique on black oxide or similarly dark-coated metals. You can lighten the oxide/black coating by adjusting the settings. This reveals the color of the metal underneath. The result is a contrasting tone-on-tone appearance.

Annodisoitu

Laser engraving anodized aluminum with an Epilog Laser machine is a great way to create clear, long-lasting marks on metal. Anodizing adds a colored protective layer to aluminum, and the laser removes this layer to show the lighter metal underneath. This creates a sharp contrast that stands out well.

The engraved marks are permanent and resistant to wear, weather, and chemicals. This makes the process ideal for adding logos, serial numbers, barcodes, or designs to things like electronics, tools, and signs.

Both CO2 and fiber lasers can mark anodized aluminum very efficiently and with high precision, making them ideal options for marking metal surfaces.

What are the differences between flatbed fiber laser and galvo fiber laser machines?

Shop Laser Machines

Flatbed fiber lasers and galvo lasers are two types of laser systems used for different applications. They have unique differences in their design, capabilities, and suitable uses.

Laser System:	FLAT BED	FUSION GALVO
Design:	Feature a large, stationary flatbed where the workpiece remains still Laser head moves across X and Y axes to process the material Designed for handling larger or multiple parts simultaneously Enclosures may be larger to accommodate the moving laser head and bigger work area Epilog flatbed fiber lasers available in three table sizes: 24″ x 12″ (610 x 305 mm), 24″ x 24″ (610 x 610 mm), 36” x 36” (914 x 610 mm ) and 48″ x 36″ (1219 x 914 mm)	Use stationary laser sources with beam directed by high-speed mirrors No moving parts in the laser head; only the mirrors move Compact design with a smaller footprint Optimized for high-speed, precise marking over small to medium areas
Speed/Precision:	Slower processing speed due to mechanical movement of the laser head Maintain high precision over large areas Better suited for tasks that require consistent accuracy across wide surfaces Ideal for marking multiple large parts at once	Significantly faster due to rapid mirror-based beam steering Extremely high precision, especially for small, detailed work Best for fast marking or engraving of small to medium-sized items Less suited for large-area processing due to smaller marking field Epilog Fusion Galvo offers a 4” x 4” (101.6 x 101.6 mm) and 6” x 6” (152.4 x 152.4 mm) engraving area

Why is laser marking better than dot peen marking?

High Precision

Laser marking is precise and perfect for creating detailed designs, small text, and graphics without distortion. Dot peen marking, while precise, may have limitations in achieving fine details, especially on curved or irregular surfaces.
Non-contact Process

Laser marking is a non-contact process, meaning the marking tool does not touch the workpiece. This reduces the risk of damaging delicate parts and lowers the chance of errors. Dot peen marking involves touching the surface directly.
Monipuolisuus

They can mark many different materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, and more. These systems do not require many setup changes. Dot peen marking may require adjustments for different materials or finishes. On the other hand, laser marking offers more flexibility and can adapt to various manufacturing needs.
Nopeus ja tehokkuus

Laser marking is quicker than dot peen marking, especially for intricate designs or big batches of parts, boosting speed. Laser systems can achieve high marking speeds while maintaining consistent quality and precision, resulting in increased throughput and productivity in automotive manufacturing processes.
Quality and Aesthetics

Laser marking creates nice-looking marks with smooth edges and contrast, making the marked parts look better and more valuable. Dot peen marking, while durable, may produce marks with rougher edges and less uniform appearance, particularly on certain materials.
No Consumables

Laser marking does not need consumables like engraving bits or ink cartridges. This means lower costs and less maintenance compared to dot peen marking, which needs regular replacement of marking pins.

How To:

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Choosing between a flatbed fiber laser and galvo laser machine

Deciding between a flatbed fiber laser and a galvo laser depends on various factors. These factors include your application needs, budget, production volume, and desired capabilities.

Consider the following points as you make your decision.

Think about what materials you will use and what tasks you need the laser system to do. Companies use Galvo lasers to mark and engrave small or curved objects because of their fast scanning and precise control. Flatbed fiber lasers are good for marking large items or numerous small identical parts.
Galvo lasers are faster than flatbed fiber lasers for marking and engraving, especially on small or intricate objects. If speed and throughput are critical for your application, a galvo laser might be the better choice.
Galvo lasers are great for precise and accurate work, perfect for tasks that need fine details or intricate designs. Flatbed fiber lasers can also offer high precision, but they are slower than galvo systems.
Think about the size of your workspace and your budget constraints. Galvo laser systems have a smaller workspace, but can be less expensive than flatbed machines. Flatbed fiber lasers have a much larger workspace, but can be more expensive up front.
Consider your future needs and whether the chosen laser system can accommodate potential growth and expansion of your business. Choose a system that offers scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing demands and new applications.

Consider your needs, budget, and future goals when deciding between a flatbed fiber laser and a galvo laser. Think about the specific tasks you need the laser for and how each type of laser can meet those needs. Evaluate your financial resources and determine how much you can afford to invest in a laser machine.

Lastly, consider your long-term business objectives and how the chosen laser will help you achieve them. Each type of laser has its own advantages and disadvantages that may impact your decision.

You should base your decision ultimately on what will best support the growth and success of your business in the future. It’s important to carefully consider these factors and maybe talk to experts or suppliers before making a decision.

Mitä seuraavaksi?

If you need marking on metal or plastic, contact Epilog for a demo of our systems in action. You can bring your most common materials and discover exactly how they’ll react in both fiber and galvo machines.

You can send us samples to our lab and we will test them for you. We can assist you with the material and provide detailed information on the machine used, laser parameters, and more.

Call us at 888-437-4564 or email sales@epiloglaser.com to set up a demonstration or learn more!

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Which machines are best for marking automotive parts?

Whatever the scope of your metal marking project, Epilog Laser has a machine that will fit your needs, from entry-level systems to top-of-the line machines.

Tutustu koko tuotevalikoimaan

Fusion Galvo

Kone metallin merkkaamiseen

Työalue
Max 6" x 6"
(152 x 152 mm)

Tyyppi
Kuitu

Teho
30–100
(MOPA)

Fusion Galvo on Epilogin teollisuusmetallimerkintäjärjestelmä, jossa on säädettävä työalue, salamannopeat yhteydet ja tehokas IRIS-kamerajärjestelmä™ taideteosten nopeaan ja tarkkaan sijoittamiseen.

Tuotteen tiedot Pyydä hintatiedot / ilmaisia näytteitä
Fusion Edge 12

Business-sarja

Työalue
24 x 12 tuumaa
(610 x 305 mm)

Tyyppi
CO₂, kuitu

Teho
_CO2: 50–60
Kuitu: 30

Kompakti laserjärjestelmämme on saatavana useissa tehokokoonpanoissa ja sen kaiverrusnopeus on jopa 3,05 m/s (120IPS). m/s kaiverrusnopeudet. Saatavana myös kuitulaserina.

Tuotteen tiedot Pyydä hintatiedot / ilmaisia näytteitä
Fusion Pro 24

Teollinen sarja

Työalue
24 x 24 tuumaa
(610 x 610 mm)

Tyyppi
CO2, kuitu, dual source

Teho
_CO2: 60–100
Kuitu: 30

Teollisuuskäyttöön tarkoitetun Fusion Pro -lasersarjamme pienin malli, Pro 24, on saatavana 60, 80 tai 100 watin teholla, ja se voidaan konfiguroida kaksoislähdejärjestelmäksi, jossa on sekä_CO2- että kuitulaserominaisuudet.

Tuotteen tiedot Pyydä hintatiedot / ilmaisia näytteitä
Fusion Pro 36

Teollinen sarja

Työalue
36 x 24 tuumaa
(914 x 610 mm)

Tyyppi
CO₂, kaksi

Teho
_CO2: 60–200
Kuitu: 30–60

Kuten kaikki Fusion Pro -lasersarjan järjestelmät, Pro 36 sisältää Epilogin IRIS-kamerajärjestelmän sekä kaiverrusnopeuden jopa 165 tuumaa sekunnissa (4,2 m/s).

Tuotteen tiedot Pyydä hintatiedot / ilmaisia näytteitä
Fusion Pro 48

Teollinen sarja

Työalue
48 x 36 tuumaa
(1219 x 914 mm)

Tyyppi
CO₂, kaksi

Teho
_CO2: 80–200
Kuitu: 60

Suurin Fusion Prosta, tämä teollisuusjärjestelmä on saatavana 80, 100, 120 ja 200 watin kokoonpanoissa kaksilähdejärjestelmänä, ja se voidaan liittää verkkoon sisäänrakennetun Ethernetin, USB:n tai langattomasti.

Tuotteen tiedot Pyydä hintatiedot / ilmaisia näytteitä