The application and development direction of laser marking in the field of electronics
In the global electronics market, China stands out as the largest producer of a wide range of products such as televisions, recorders, VCD players, phones, electronic watches, calculators, refrigerators, air conditioners, and more. It also plays a key role in manufacturing program-controlled switches, PCs, mobile phones, floppy drives, displays, computer boards, and mice. The vast variety of electronic products and the ease of standardizing production processes create significant opportunities for laser marking technology.
Laser marking works through two main principles: heat processing and cold processing. In heat processing, a high-energy-density laser beam is focused on the surface of the material, causing it to absorb the energy and undergo thermal excitation. This leads to changes like melting, ablation, or evaporation. On the other hand, cold processing uses ultraviolet photons with high energy that can break chemical bonds without causing thermal damage. This method is especially useful in delicate applications like semiconductor manufacturing, where precision is crucial.
The advantages of laser marking are numerous. It can be applied to a wide range of materials, including metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, and leather. The process creates permanent, high-quality marks without any mechanical stress or surface corrosion. It’s ideal for marking components like integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, and transistors. Laser-printed labels are widely used in offices, supermarkets, and factories, particularly for barcodes, trademarks, and postal labels. Companies find value in adding these labels to their products, which helps increase product appeal and profitability.
According to Steve Brocker, a sales manager from Western States Envelope, focusing on existing customers is key when entering the laser label market. He suggests understanding how current clients print their trademarks to better serve them. Many industry leaders agree that it's challenging to enter a market without prior experience in laser tagging. Improving existing printing systems can help companies adapt and grow in this space.
When evaluating whether a customer benefits from using barcodes, it's important to consider the quantity they need. If the volume is low, thermal transfer might be more suitable. For high-volume production, laser labeling offers efficiency and clarity. Additionally, color icons printed on laser labels can add visual appeal while reducing costs compared to direct printing on envelopes.
Once an order is confirmed, the design of the trademark must align with the customer's needs. Products like CD-R and CD-RW are commonly used in office settings for data storage and presentations. Companies should target customers who use such products and offer customized laser-printed labels for better organization and presentation.
Dot matrix printers, though becoming obsolete, still have a place in the market. However, laser printers provide sharper images and more accurate barcode scanning. Laser labels can also be die-cut into various shapes, offering greater flexibility. Unlike dot matrix printers, which usually handle one logo at a time, laser printers allow multiple trademarks to be printed on a single sheet, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
Finally, selecting the right adhesive for laser labels is essential. Adhesives used in laser printers are heated to around 250°C–300°C, ensuring strong bonding without damaging the label. With a growing demand for high-quality, customizable labels, laser marking is set to remain a popular and innovative solution in the market.
Jiangsu Zhongyi Tools and Riggings Co., Ltd. , https://www.zy-rigging.com