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Materials

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Materials

What can be marked?

Our fiber laser systems offer an out-of-the-box solution for engraving metal, coated metal, plastic, glass, ceramic and organic products, making the machines a cost-effective manufacturing solution. In manufacturing, a laser engraving machine is used for hundreds of different commercial and industrial products, from smartphones and watch batteries, to frying pans and toothbrushes.

Fiber lasers are incredibly versatile tools that can mark a range of materials. Metals such as stainless steel, titanium, anodized aluminium, brass, and copper can all be marked with a fiber laser with the process of laser marking preferable to traditional methods as it doesn’t alter the composition of the material or cause any damage to the surface. The result is a sharp and accurate engraving of the material, whether it’s text, a logo, or a design. The type of materials that can be marked with a fiber laser also includes plastics such as polycarbonate, PEEK, ABS, and acrylic. Imprints can also produced in rubber, silicone, and cotton fabrics.

With a fiber laser, you can create anything from serial numbers and bar codes to personal messages and company logos. The options are virtually limitless. The greatest advantage of using a fiber laser is that it leaves a permanent mark that can last for years, thus eliminating the need to regularly make new engravings.

We work with clients every day to carefully assess their application requirements and help them choose the right laser; allowing you to achieve reliable, precision results every time.

Aluminium

Anodised aluminium is one of the most common metals used for laser marking purposes. Aluminium itself is a very widely used metal which is valued for its combination of being both lightweight and durable. This unique combination has made it the material of choice for aircraft and automotive products. The high electrical conductivity of aluminium has also made it an excellent material for long-distance power lines, satellite dishes, and in electrical components found in most household appliances and power systems

Brass

Using a fiber laser to mark brass is an increasingly popular choice for businesses who need to label their products. Fiber lasers make excellent marking tools because they are able to engrave brass with high resolution and clarity, they also utilise an extremely small wavelength of light, meaning the mark left on the brass is still small and precise without any blurring or distortions. Unlike traditional etching methods, fiber lasers can mark brass with both visual graphics and textual information. In addition, fiber lasers often require no pre-treatment of the brass surface, meaning they can be used directly on the material with no pre-treatment.

Cast Iron

Laser engraving cast iron is most commonly achieved by annealing, a process where the laser heats the surface of the metal to form an oxide layer. The colour change in laser annealing is caused by a chemical change in the surface of the metal, meaning that no material is vaporised or removed from the cast iron surface. Crack propagation is an especially significant concern for cast iron, and iron laser engraving is an excellent option for creating permanent marks on cast iron without compromising its physical integrity.

Copper

Copper is one of the few metals that is directly usable in its natural form, or without being combined into alloys. It is characterised by having a very high thermal and electrical conductivity, making it a valuable material in electrical wiring, printed circuit boards, thermocouples, heat exchangers, electromagnets, and electric motors. A fiber can be used to mark any part of the copper with engraving detail that lasts for years as well as having a low power requirement, meaning that it is more energy-efficient than other laser marking systems. As it uses a pulse of light, the heat only affects the copper it is directed at and nothing else, giving it a high level of accuracy.

Gold

Laser engraving gold has become a particularly effective and popular technology used toward this end. Find out how laser engraving can add value to your business. Nowadays, gold has become more accessible, with most consumers instead preferring their pieces to have a higher degree of personalisation and customisation. Pendants, rings, and charms are considered more valuable when laser engraved gold has a person’s name, initials, or other personal inscriptions. Gold products can be easily marked with a fiber laser, creating permanent and highly visible marks that are both highly detailed and resistant to fading. The laser provides a steady stream of energy which is used to transform the surface of the metal without having to actually touch the product,

Metal

For manufacturers of engineering parts, a good traceability system is a vital part of quality monitoring. The use of laser engraving metal ensures that these traceability marks are permanent and will remain legible for a long time – especially useful for parts that undergo a lot of friction and heat. The types of metals that a laser engraver can be used on are as varied as its applications. A metal laser marker 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.

Plastics

Laser engraving machines for plastic are an extremely flexible technology that can be used for different plastic types, such as ABS, polyamide, or polycarbonate. Before plastics, the traditional materials used were metal or wood. Plastics quickly gained popularity for being cheaper, lighter, more versatile, and easier to manufacture. Nowadays, plastics are found in practically every industry, from food and healthcare to automobiles and infrastructure. In many of these applications, laser engraving plastic parts has been a handy tool.

Rubber

Fiber lasers are becoming an increasingly popular choice for engraving rubber. The laser produces a focused and powerful beam of light that quickly and accurately cuts through the rubber, creating clean and precise lines in intricate designs. The use of a fiber laser also produces low heat and produces very little waste, making it an ideal technology for engraving rubber. Additionally, the fact that fiber lasers do not require the use of heavy machinery or tools makes them a popular choice for engraving rubber.

Stainless Steel

Fiber lasers are well suited for use with stainless steel due to their ability to penetrate through the metal quickly and cleanly. Fiber lasers don't require as much energy as other types of lasers, making them energy efficient and cost effective. Fiber lasers also have a higher accuracy than standard CO2 lasers and are ideal for cutting and welding small to medium pieces of stainless steel. They provide an excellent surface finish, reducing the need for post-process polishing. With their highly efficient power delivery, fiber lasers are an ideal choice for stainless steel applications.

Sterling Silver

Using a fiber laser with sterling silver offers a variety of benefits. The laser makes clean and precise cuts with minimal burrs and heat affected zones, as well as producing an excellent finish on the silver. Laser cutting also means that complex shapes and designs can be achieved quickly, accurately and cost effectively. Additionally, fiber lasers are much more energy efficient than other types of lasers, which saves on running costs. With minimal preparation and post-processing required, fiber laser cutting can be the perfect way to achieve high quality results with sterling silver.

Wood

Laser engraving wood can be a great way to personalise wooden surfaces with a unique design or to label items without writing. Laser engraving uses a beam of light to burn shapes and text into a wooden surface. It is precise and can be used on a variety of woods, from soft plywood to hard maple. Laser engraving does not require any contact with the wood surface and is safer than sanding or grinding for certain applications. Laser engraving wood results in a professional look that can add a unique touch to the finished product.

Industrial Laser Marking Machine

Designed, developed and manufactured here in the UK. Our N-Lase products define our range of Industrial ID lasers which are perfect for assisting with coding, marking and trackability requirements. Get in touch today to find out how our lasers can help bring continuous improvement to your production and manufacturing environments.

Personalisation Lasers

Designed, developed and manufactured here in the UK. Our create. products define our range of personalisation lasers which are perfect for bringing next-level customer experience to retailers.

Personalise it. Brand it. Create it.

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/

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