The household appliance industry demands the highest quality standards in laser marking. A marked item must maintain legibility and aesthetic quality for the entire life of the product, withstanding different conditions, aggressive cleaning agents and continuous mechanical stress. To meet these challenges, LASIT has developed one of the most comprehensive laboratories in the industry, where technological innovation is fused with rigorous and scientific testing methodologies.
Cutting-Edge Laser Technologies
Our laser fleet, which has more than 25 different sources, is optimized for the home appliance sector:
PICO lasers (50-200W): the heart of our appliance technology. These systems make high-quality black marks on stainless steel, ideal for cooktops, range hoods, refrigerator and freezer surfaces. PICO technology, with pulses in the picosecond range, offers the perfect balance between aesthetic quality and industrial productivity, ensuring strong, contrasting markings
Specialized UV systems: with pulses from 500ps to several nanoseconds and powers from 1 to 20W, these lasers are critical for marking on plastic components such as oven knobs, touch interfaces of induction hobs, and control panels. The UV wavelength allows precise markings without thermal damage, also ideal for internal components requiring traceability
Femtosecond Lasers: they represent the technological frontier for premium applications where the highest aesthetic quality is required on stainless steel [Link to article on femtosecond technology].
NANO Series (20-300W): full range for standard metal applications, from simple engraving to deep marking
Integrated Pre-Process System
Precision in laser marking requires careful preparation. Our laboratory integrates advanced systems to optimize each step of the process:
- State-of-the-art 3D scanning system:
- Complete mapping of complex surfaces
- Analysis of geometries to optimize marking paths
- Automatic identification of critical areas
- Advanced profilometry:
- Detailed analysis of surface characteristics
- Pre-process roughness evaluation
- Identification of any necessary surface treatments
- 3D marking head with dedicated software:
- Automatic compensation of elevation changes
- Dynamic laser power management
- Real-time parameter optimization
Quality Control Laboratory
Quality control represents the heart of LASIT innovation. The complexity of laser marking in the home appliance industry requires a scientific and multidisciplinary approach that complies with international industry standards (ISO 9227 for salt spray testing, ISO 11664 for colorimetric measurements).
Surface analysis starts with the 3D microscope with 4K resolution, which allows the morphology of the marking to be examined at the microscopic level. This technology, combined with the precision roughness meter, makes it possible to verify not only the visual appearance of the marking, but also its impact on the structure of the material.
The spectrophotometer plays a crucial role in the analysis of laser-material interaction, which is particularly critical in applications on plastic materials. This instrument, together with the high-precision colorimeter, ensures not only immediate aesthetic quality but also color stability over time.
Durability tests follow standardized international protocols. The salt spray chamber simulates years of use under aggressive conditions according to appliance industry standards, while the automated abrasion system replicates thousands of cleaning cycles with different types of detergents, following specific protocols for each type of appliance.
Dimensional accuracy is verified through the CMM machine, which is critical for components that require tight tolerances such as graduated scales and functional elements.
Applications in the Home Appliance Sector
Laser marking for household appliances ranges from purely aesthetic elements to highly functional components. Each application requires a specific approach and dedicated validation:
- Precision functional elements:
- Graduated scales on knobs with tolerances of ±0.1mm
- Level indicators on plastic components
- Calibrated references for sensors and touch controls
- Aesthetic components and brand elements:
- High-contrast logos on steel surfaces
- Decorative textures on front panels
- Backlit markings on interfaces
- User interfaces and controls:
- Touch panels with integrated markings
- Backlit displays
- Functional indicators on curved surfaces
- Technical components and traceability:
- Data Matrix codes resistant to detergents
- Technical markings on internal components
- Permanent security information
LASIT meets the needs of the home appliance industry with a laboratory equipped to test everything needed to ensure an optimal laser marker to be integrated into the customer’s production process.
Every year our investments in research are aimed at ensuring better performing products for increasingly demanding customers who need a partner who can guarantee the durability and reliability of the laser markings that identify their brand.