| A laser has long been the preferred tool for making | | | | repeatability and permanence. Now, the same precise |
| precise, permanent, aesthetic markings on objects. | | | | performance has been diversified to include 3D items, |
| From the patterns on your kitchenware to the patterns | | | | of the most complex shapes and varied sizes. This is |
| on your stained-glass windows, laser leaves its mark | | | | where 6-axis laser comes in. 6-axis laser technology |
| everywhere. The reason why people choose laser | | | | combines several features:o 3D scanning, for oneo |
| marking over methods such as doing it by hand or | | | | Use of robots to move around the workpiece. This |
| other forms of radiation is: | | | | allows a more constant path and distance of the laser, |
| 1. Speed. Laser works fast. By programming a design | | | | where both the head and the material being worked |
| into a laser machine, that design can be reproduced in | | | | on are moved around to generate optimal results.o |
| a matter of seconds. The same thing, by a human | | | | Marking lasers with vision systemo Software tools to |
| hand, would require a hundred times that duration. | | | | allow image wrapping, even around complex and |
| 2. Repeatability. Watermarks, logos, barcodes etc are | | | | elaborate 3D shapes such as lanterns, vases, gems |
| all security information, and producing perfect replicas is | | | | and so on |
| of the utmost importance here. Laser replication is as | | | | Consequently, 6-axis lasers have become highly |
| error-free as it gets, with error levels too low for even | | | | popular in industries that require high-precision cutting, |
| the most sophisticated machines to detect. Also, | | | | etching or marking on 3D surfaces. As most people |
| repeatability is often desirable even when it is not of | | | | know by now, markings these days are made by |
| such paramount importance - for example, while | | | | erasure as often as they are made by painting. Backlit |
| printing designs on apparel or accessories in bulk. | | | | keyboards, for example, work by having paint on the |
| 3. Precision. A laser beam is no more than a few | | | | entire surface, but a few layers of paint removed to |
| microns thick. A micron is a thousandth of a millimeter - | | | | create the symbol on the key. The same holds true |
| yes, I have my calculations correct. Therefore, there is | | | | for car dashboards etc. |
| no better instrument than laser for making fine | | | | 6-axis lasers are being used in the aeronautical |
| markings on areas where precision is absolutely | | | | industry too, to remove the paint from magnesium |
| necessary. This is why laser is used on things like | | | | castings. Another important use of this sophisticated, |
| glassware, medical implements, barcodes, backlit | | | | state-of-the-art marking technology is to remove metal |
| keyboards etc. | | | | plating from surfaces to generate beautiful, complex |
| Till recently, however, laser instruments have been | | | | patterns. For cost-effective, efficient and aesthetically |
| limited to 2-dimensional surfaces. Even this was not | | | | pleasing marking technology, there is no better choice |
| seen as too great as limitation, as the biggest | | | | than a laser marking system. |
| advantage of laser was its speed, precision, | | | | |