Laser Marking and Coding

Laser marking and coding are precise, cost-efficient solutions for imprinting vital information onto products, packaging or parts. Laser coding and marking systems can be used to create high-quality, repeatable marks ranging from bold, large-scale graphics to discrete, finely detailed marks.

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✔ Cutting-edge solutions
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✔ Powering tomorrow’s industries

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How Laser Marking Works

Laser marking involves creating a contrasting surface mark on a target material via a properly matched scan head, controller and laser. Marking can be achieved via laser ablation, discoloration, engraving, texturing, or other surface modification processes. Meanwhile, laser coding is a type of marking, but the mark created will vary from item to item or from batch to batch. Laser coding is typically used to mark important information such as expiry dates or serial numbers.

Advantages of Laser Marking

The benefits of using a laser marking system include:

• Fast: laser marking’s high speeds are suitable for high-volume processing and production lines
• Clear: create crisp, clear imagery and text in a wide range of font types and sizes
• Versatile: can be used on a wide range of materials, including complex materials like polyurethane foam and glass
• Curved surfaces: laser marking and coding systems can apply marks to concave, convex, and multi-dimensional surfaces
• Durable: laser coding creates permanent marks that won’t smear or rub off, supporting traceability
• Flexible: digital control enables on-the-fly changes, and is easy to integrate with your existing systems
• Sub-surface marking: combining 3D laser scan heads with ultra-short pulse lasers can create 3-dimensional images inside an object, such as thick glass
• Sustainable: laser marking and coding doesn’t require any consumables, such as ink
• Lower costs: minimal maintenance required, contributing to lower operating costs
• 2D codes: laser coding and marking systems can also be used to create 2-dimensional barcodes that store data in both horizontal and vertical directions, storing more data than traditional barcodes

Laser Marking Applications

Use Cases

• Barcodes
• Batch codes
• UPC
• QR codes
• Part numbers/codes
• Expiration dates
• Best before dates
• Graphics
• Alphanumeric codes
• Serial numbers

  Materials

• Plastics
• Paper and paperboard
• Cardboard
• Wood
• Metals
• Glass
• Polyurethane foam
• Rubber and compounds
• Organics
• Ceramics

Why Choose Novanta Photonics for Laser Marking?

Novanta Photonics has 35+ years’ experience in designing and manufacturing reliable, high-performance laser modules and subsystems, tailored to customers’ demanding marking and coding applications. We use Applications Testing Labs, our deep proprietary expertise, and an engineer-to-engineer approach to develop high-precision laser solutions for leading organizations.

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