By Bob Wettermann
There are multiple applications for laser marking in the electronics field. They include but are not limited to the marking or demarking of components, the marking of PCBs and the marking of cables and enclosures. In most cases this kind of marking is done by a laser marking service provider as the laser equipment is capital intensive and requires a knowledge base.
Component marking and demarking using lasers is a fast, clean and precise method for marking components. The most common things to mark on components include part numbers, lot or date codes, UPC codes as well as other information. This marking is typically done by using the laser source to “etch” or “enscribe” shallow markings on the surface of the component. After the pattern is determined the components are fixture in place. Either the components are brought in to or out of the path of the laser beam or the beam pattern is moved around the surface of the component. In either approach the area is slightly heated but in most cases this is negligible as the etching time is on the order of milliseconds. Demarking occurs when manufacturer’s part number needs to be eliminated from the part marking in order to protect the IP of the design holder.
There are multiple applications for laser marking in the electronics field. They include but are not limited to the marking or demarking of components, the marking of PCBs and the marking of cables and enclosures. In most cases this kind of marking is done by a laser marking service provider as the laser equipment is capital intensive and requires a knowledge base.
Component marking and demarking using lasers is a fast, clean and precise method for marking components. The most common things to mark on components include part numbers, lot or date codes, UPC codes as well as other information. This marking is typically done by using the laser source to “etch” or “enscribe” shallow markings on the surface of the component. After the pattern is determined the components are fixture in place. Either the components are brought in to or out of the path of the laser beam or the beam pattern is moved around the surface of the component. In either approach the area is slightly heated but in most cases this is negligible as the etching time is on the order of milliseconds. Demarking occurs when manufacturer’s part number needs to be eliminated from the part marking in order to protect the IP of the design holder.
PCBs can also be laser marked with a variety of information such as date codes, serial numbers, revisions levels and many other items. This has the advantage of not being able to be easily removed as is the case with labels and print inks. Hereto the electronics laser engraving services provider can provide guidance on where the marking takes place as well as other applications specific device.
Cables and enclosures can also be marked. Cables can be marked in a continuous fashion along the length of the cable for the marking of a wire harness. Sometimes additives are used to etch markings on to enclosures. These can be films or paste material which gets placed in between the laser source and the enclosure which will need to be laser marked.
Cables and enclosures can also be marked. Cables can be marked in a continuous fashion along the length of the cable for the marking of a wire harness. Sometimes additives are used to etch markings on to enclosures. These can be films or paste material which gets placed in between the laser source and the enclosure which will need to be laser marked.