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Aerospace

Precision and reliability in the aerospace industry

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Aerospace

We pride ourselves on only providing the best-in-class aerospace laser marking systems, perfectly designed for anything from light use to the most demanding environments. For manufacturers of engineering parts, a good traceability system is a vital part of quality monitoring. With the help of a laser etching machine, you can ensure your assets are pemanently traceable and identifiable.

The aerospace industry has been using laser etching for many years to create intricate designs and markings on its components. Laser etching allows for high-precision and repeatable marking, which is extremely important when the aerospace industry is dealing with very small, intricate parts. Laser etching is also beneficial because it is non-contact, meaning it won't damage the surface of the parts and can be used on almost any material.

Additionally, laser etching is faster and more cost-effective than manual etching, and it can be used to create permanent, durable markings that won't wear away over time or when undergoing extreme heat or friction. This makes laser etching an invaluable tool for the aerospace industry, allowing for increased efficiency and accuracy in the production of aircraft components.

The demands of the Aerospace Industry

Aerospace part marking needs precision and reliability. Needham Laser is a long-established supplier of laser marking solutions in the aerospace sector, helping our customers track and mark parts internationally, guaranteeing identification and traceability. 

Whether it be serial codes, matrix, part numbers, graphics or lot coding, our aerospace laser marking systems can offer significant gains over conventional rotary engraving or dot-peen systems.

Our laser engraving machines are no contact, require no consumables (reducing cost) and are easily automated. They also require little maintenance and are more environmentally friendly than other making machines.

The ability to mark either serialized or variable data transmitted in real time is also a huge bonus for aerospace manufacturers.

The N-Lase Range

Meet our Industrial ID lasers

N-Lase Desktop

The N-Lase Desktop is our entry-level laser marking system for industrial identification applications, perfect for marking, etching, engraving and annealing all metals, coated metals, plastics and some organic materials.

The Desktop is the ideal solution for low to mid-volume throughput and is an affordable alternative to more traditional methods of marking, such as dot peen, electrochemical etching or hand marking. Despite being entry-level and affordable we haven’t sacrificed on quality or efficiency; our N-Lase Desktop comes with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours and a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Desktop Pro

The N-Lase Desktop Pro is the most popular laser in our N-Lase range. Designed for marking, etching, engraving and annealing almost all materials in mid to high-volume applications, the Desktop Pro is a full turnkey solution which includes an integrated All-in-One PC and an automatic door function to ensure maximum efficiency and simple operation.

The N-Lase Desktop Pro can be fitted with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser sources with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours. Like all products within our N-Lase range the Desktop Pro comes with a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Benchtop

The N-Lase Benchtop is the ‘big cousin’ to the Desktop Pro. It has the same style and design but on a much larger scale, so maximum versatility for industries wishing to mark, etch and engrave big parts. As the name suggested, the Benchtop is designed to sit on a bench/worktop within existing manufacturing cells and processes.

Due to its larger footprint and modular design, the N-Lase Benchtop can offer a broad range of optional extras such as XY marking tables for increased throughput, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 watt up to 100 watt for maximum speed and depth.

With our 3-year comprehensive warranty, the N-Lase Benchtop is the ideal solution for the efficient and reliable etching of heavy-duty parts in industrial environments.

N-Lase Workstation

The N-Lase Workstation offers our biggest enclosure mounted onto a portable base to offer maximum flexibility. The Workstation can be located within an existing manufacturing process or operate as a standalone marking and traceability station. With an integrated PC and auto door function, the N-Lase Workstation is a truly turnkey solution; simply wheel into the desired location and start etching.

With such a large enclosure, the N-Lase Workstation can be fitted with a wide range of options to further increase efficiencies and offer maximum throughput. Options include XY marking tables to facilitate the loading of multiple parts, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 Watt up to 100 Watt for maximum speed and depth.

As with all our N-Lase range, maximum reliability and robustness is assured with our 3-year comprehensive warranty.

N-Lase Integrated

Designed for integration into production, manufacturing and assembly lines, our N-Lase Integrated models offer high reliability, speed and flexibility in a convenient form factor. A wide range of laser power outputs on our standard system allow marking on a diverse variety of substrates, whereas the Integrated Max is suitable for more powerful hungry applications and much larger laser modules. N-Lase Integrated systems are maintenance free and will provide you with years upon years of trouble-free operation

N-Lase Handheld

Laser without limits with the N-Lase Handheld. This model allows you to move the system to wherever (and whatever) needs to be marked. Ease and usability is at the forefront of the design, including a counterbalanced laser head to ensure safe movement and use. Whether it's a plaque on a wall or a plate on the floor, this model is ready for the challenge.

Laser marking with accuracy

The automated process of a metal etching machine delivers superior repeatability and consistency, ensuring that engineering measuring tools have ticks and readings that are marked and positioned accurately. 

Our N-Lase laser engravers can mark on incredibly small parts, with guaranteed accuracy and precision, marking within 50µm, this accuracy is more than adequate for most aerospace components, including those used in aircraft engines and other critical applications.

Systems ideal for Aerospace laser marking

We pride ourselves on only providing the best-in-class aerospace laser marking systems, perfectly designed for anything from light use to the most demanding environments:

  • All of our systems feature high-powered MOPA Fiber Laser Engines. Not only does this mean their lifespan is far greater than other lasers on the market but also this provides you a high peak power, extremely quick processing times and grants maximum application flexibility.
  • Mark Text, Graphics, Barcodes, 2D, UID, Matrix, QR codes and more onto aircraft parts with industry-leading accuracy.
  • Incredibly simple setup, programming and marking with great software and ergonomic design.
  • Choose from stand-alone, desktop, benchtop, handheld or integrated laser systems. We will even create custom solutions and can help you implement them into your already automated production line.
  • Brimming with cutting-edge features for the best experience whilst maintaining unparalleled quality whilst marking your components.

The Benefits

The types of metals that a laser engraver can be used on are as varied as its aerospace applications. A laser engraving machine can be used to make permanent marks on stainless steel, soft metals, hardened metals, alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, brass, copper, carbides, high-speed steels, aluminium, anodised aluminium, coated metals, and precious metals such as silver and gold. In contrast to more traditional methods of marking, a laser engraving machine does not require consumables such as inks, chemicals, or pastes. 

Along with the versatility of our N-Lase range, laser engraving technology provides a high level of accuracy and precision, allowing for a high degree of detail to be achieved and much faster than traditional methods of engraving, allowing for quicker turnaround times and faster production. Our user-friendly interface allows for the simple use of our laser systems and will reduce the labour costs associated with traditional engraving methods.

Laser marking machines are effective ways of ensuring a quick, permanent and legible mark can be applied to all of your components, which is why we are trusted partners in the aerospace industry.

60+ years in industry

Heritage & market-leading knowledge

The Needham Group and its subsidiaries have been a part of the ever-developing coding and marking industry since 1962; identifying industry needs whilst simultaneously importing and developing exciting, practical and innovative products to suit.

Community-driven

Customer service at our core

Every day we share our passion and excitement for British manufacturing and innovation in laser technologies with each of our partners; from supplier and supply chain right through to end-user.

Short lead times

Delivery in weeks, not months

We design, develop and manufacture our lasers at our HQ in Shropshire; allowing for lean manufacturing, better efficiencies and speedy response times in our manufacturing, ultimately getting your products to you in weeks rather than months.

Made in Britain & Safety Regulations

We are proud to wear the Made in Britain badge, where all of our lasers are manufactured at our HQ in Shropshire. Combining over 60 years of company heritage with exquisite design and Great British engineering, we take great pride in our heritage and our commitment to producing quality products that represent the very best of British craftsmanship. Our loyal customers can be assured that when they choose us, they are investing in a product made with the utmost care and attention to detail.

The UK has the world's most rigorous regulatory requirements for laser safety.
We are proud to align our UK design and manufacturing with said regulations.
We are also certified members of AILU. - https://www.ailu.org.uk/

Trusted By The Best

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