The evolution of laser marking technologies continues to demonstrate how far the frontiers of the industry and its applications are expanding. Modern production requirements demand increasingly efficient, fast and accurate systems capable of operating on different materials while maintaining optimum quality and definition.
In this context, LASIT is introducing a significant innovation in the field of laser marking: the new UV systems with 20- and 30-watt powers, which represent a significant advance over the conventional 5-, 8- or 10-watt UV lasers on the market.
The New Frontiers of UV Laser Power
UV wavelength has always been an ideal solution for marking plastics and other substrates that respond optimally to this specific frequency. However, power limitations have traditionally circumscribed the application scope of this technology.
LASIT’s new 20- and 30-watt UV lasers overcome these barriers, offering:
- Increased process speed: The increased power allows the speed of galvanometers to be significantly increased, drastically reducing cycle times
- Improved marking quality on a wide range of materials
- Ability to work on surfaces previously considered problematic
- Reduction in processing time by up to 200% compared to traditional systems
UV laser technology operates through a wavelength of 355 nm, which is particularly effective on plastic materials. As the available power increases, new application possibilities open up that previously required compromises in time or quality.
Applications Revolutionized by Greater Power
Ultra-Rapid Marking
One of the most obvious advantages of the new systems is the ultra-fast marking capability. This is possible because of the combination of:
- Increased available power that allows working with more aggressive parameters
- Ability to move galvanometers at much higher speeds
- Less need for multiple passes to achieve the desired result
In practical terms, this translates into productivity gains of up to 200-300% over conventional UV systems, making this technology competitive even in high-volume production settings.
White Marking on Black Plastics
Marking on black plastic components has always presented a significant challenge. With conventional UV lasers, the result sometimes appeared as marking with white-brown shades that did not always meet specific requirements.
New high-power UV lasers make it possible to achieve:
- Bright white markings on black plastics
- Increased contrast and readability
- Consistent results even over large areas
- Significant reduction in processing time
This innovation meets the needs of industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and the appliance industry, where components mark high-contrast information, logos, or traceability codes.
PMMA processing
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as plexiglass, is a material widely used in various industries. Marking this material requires precision and control to avoid thermal damage.
With the new 20- and 30-watt UV lasers, they achieve:
- Processing speeds up to 3 times faster than conventional systems
- Greatly improved marking quality with sharper details
- Ability to make markings within the material (subsurface) with greater definition
- Reduced risk of microcracking or thermal damage due to improved energy distribution
This enhanced capability is particularly relevant to the medical, appliance, lighting, and electronics industries, where PMMA is widely used and requires precise markings for certification, traceability, and operational information.
Applications of Depaneling
High-power UV lasers also offer new perspectives for depaneling operations, or the separation of multiple PCBs from a single panel:
- Improved cutting accuracy with cleaner edges
- Reduction of the thermally altered zone (HAZ)
- Ability to work on composite materials more efficiently
A Practical Case Study: Speed and Quality in the Marking of Electronic Components
A major electronics company recently implemented LASIT’s 20-watt UV laser system for marking black thermoplastic polymer connectors. Before the upgrade, the process took about 9 seconds per component, with qualitatively acceptable but suboptimal results.
With the implementation of the new system:
- Cycle time has been reduced to only 3.5 seconds per component
- The quality of the marking changed from a brownish-grayish hue to a bright white
- Contrast is increased by 70%, significantly improving readability
- Durability of marking is increased, better withstanding abrasion tests and chemicals
This improvement has enabled the company to increase line productivity by 240 percent, optimizing resource utilization while improving the quality of the final product.
LASIT Technologies for High Power UV.
LASIT has developed a range of systems that integrate these new high-power UV lasers, adapting them to different production needs:
- Powermark UV: integration lasers with 20W and 30W sources, ideal for integration into automated production lines
- Polaris UV: complete system with powers up to 30W, available in different configurations to suit various production contexts
- Customized systems: tailored solutions that combine the power of new UV lasers with specific automations for special needs
All of these systems retain the reliability and precision characteristics typical of LASIT products, while adding the benefits of the increased power available.