Laser marking technology has now become the most dynamic technology in various packaging applications. However, at this stage, most applications are still non-surface beautification and decoration, such as printing batch numbers on electrical components and auto parts so that production workers can monitor the assembly process of parts on the production line and track the performance of the final product. However, there are still some marks that serve consumers, such as high-definition characters on computer keyboards and on the bottom of cars. Laser marking for surface decoration currently accounts for only 10% of the market share, including promotional packaging.In most cases, for example, the characters printed by the laser on the computer keyboard are high-contrast monochrome marks, while the exquisite patterns printed by the laser for surface decoration are a combination of full-color letters, numbers and graphics. The processing technology used to produce high-contrast marks is also suitable for producing color marks. The thermal chemical reaction caused by the selective absorption of coherent light by the matrix will leave a faded area on the surface of the matrix. In order to produce color marks, pigments need to be added to the matrix. The resin, pigment and other additives are appropriately combined, and almost all colors of marks can be printed with a laser.
According to the predictions of relevant industrial experts, manufacturers will soon make extensive use of two-dimensional bar code technology, and laser marking methods will be the main beneficiaries of the development and utilization of this technology. Other practical methods used to make two-dimensional bar code permanent marks include recording needle point injection method and inkjet printing method.However, the laser system can produce smaller codes, and the size of each unit in the code is equal to the size of the laser spot. At present, the two-dimensional bar code technology has not been widely used, but it is developing in the direction of practicality. Companies that require tracking of complex internal parts, especially automobile companies, are already using compression technology of various symbols, similar to printed electronic circuit board manufacturing companies will be optimistic about laser marking technology. The two-dimensional bar code (or data matrix code) contains 100 times more data than the one-dimensional bar code, occupies less space, and is quite clear, even when it is damaged to a considerable extent, it has no major impact.
Although laser marking technology has won wide praise, the disadvantage of this technology is the high initial equipment investment cost, which is an important reason hindering the popularization of laser marking technology. However, with the expansion of the consumer base and the improvement of laser performance and function, its high initial investment will decrease day by day in the future.Undoubtedly, laser marking technology will usher in a new era of widespread adoption in the near future.