Our fiber laser systems offer an out-of-the-box solution for marking metal, coated metal, plastic, glass, ceramic and organic products, making the machines a cost-effective manufacturing solution. In manufacturing, a laser marking machine is used for hundreds of different commercial and industrial products, from smartphones and watch batteries, to frying pans and toothbrushes. We work with clients every day to carefully assess their application requirements and help them choose the right laser; allowing you to achieve reliable, precise results every time.
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.
The annealing method works by heating a metal to a particular temperature to create various colours. The annealing method has significant advantages over traditional printing techniques. Namely, the permanent and attractive nature of the mark.
Foaming is used for plastic applications. By heating the dark plastic, the laser’s heat causes local melting on the surface of the object. The heat build-up causes bubbling, and eventually, the molten plastic creates a “foam” effect, which is significantly brighter than its surround area. The manufacturing industry is a heavy user of the foaming process for purposes such as QR codes, serial numbers and other brand or product information.
Similar to foaming, the colouring laser process is ideal for marking light-coloured plastics. A layer of oxidised soot is created as a result of the laser beam melting the plastic surface. The contrast between the coloured engraving and the surrounding plastic is what makes the design stand out.
The laser engraving method is achieved by burning into the substrate, thereby removing material marking and leaving a depression lower than the surface level. The engraving process is widely used for numerals, wording, and simple designs, and can be used on almost all metals.
The ablation process removes the top layers of an object to reveal a contrasting colour below. This technique can create some interesting results by combining multiple layers of varying coloured materials to achieve different effects. Most commonly, the ablation process is used for speedometers, automotive dashboard buttons, compasses, watches and more.
The laser can be used as a simple bleaching device, the most commonly known example being wear patterning on denim jeans. This typically requires a longer wavelength laser such as a CO2.
Depending on the depth of the engraving and material used, the N-Lase can engrave text, barcodes and images in seconds! Of course, if a more complex or greater depth is needed for your design, the engraving process will take longer. However, for most manufacturing applications, the laser beam can complete the engraving in moments.
The N-Lase allows you to engrave the same design dozens, hundreds or even thousands of times, yet still give you the same consistent result every time. In fact, part of the reason why laser engraving technology is so popular these days is much to do with its consistent production capabilities.
Laser engraving is a non-contact technology. It means that there is no actual contact between the machine and the object during the engraving process. The machine simply fires a laser beam from a short distance away, which creates the engraved design on the surface of the object .For this reason, the medical industry has become a heavy user of laser engraving machines in recent years. Medical tools and machines, such as surgical tools, require stringent labelling practices, which can be achieved with a laser, yet still, maintain a sterile environment.
The pulse of the laser beam is so thin that it can create unbelievably complex designs in the smallest of spaces. Manufacturing companies typically use a small-sized data matrix code to add a large number of information about a product for traceability purposes. Additionally, jewellery items, such as rings and bracelets, often require an intricate design to be engraved onto the surface of the item. Laser engraving machines are perfect for such applications.
The N-Lase Designer software used for the N-Lase laser engraving machine range is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. The elements that make up the engraved design and controls for the laser are easily compiled and edited either on or offline.
You can easily create engraving files containing a variety of graphic formats, text, 2D and barcodes, serial numbers and dates. The software also includes built-in CAD tools, which allow you to manipulate DXF and PLT files.
Additionally, the software is designed with production line in mind. The multiple input/output interfaces offer integration on to production or assembly lines, including Ethernet, serial comms and PLCs – allowing you to import and export data from external sources.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
