CO2 laser marking machines are usually sealed-tube laser marking systems with galvo-steered beams designed for marking non-metal surfaces like wood, glass, quartz, and ceramics. They can also mark fabrics and other organic materials, operating at wavelengths of 10,600nm.
These machines are used to produce barcodes, serial numbers, and logos on metals and other surfaces.
When laser marking bare metal using a CO2 laser, a special marking agent (spray or paste) is used to treat the metal prior to engraving. Once the laser beam is applied, the heat from the laser bonds the marking agent to the metal, resulting in a high contrast permanent mark.
The machines are fast and affordable. They are among the oldest type of engravers and markers, and can also mark organic materials such as wood, ceramics such as tiles, stones and more.
The CO2 lasers are largely used in food, drug, or alcohol packaging, integrated circuits, electrical appliances, mobile communications, microchips and electronic components.
Due to their wavelength, sealed-off CO2 laser sources achieve best marking results on organic materials like wood, paper or leather and certain plastic polymers. CO2 lasers are also suitable for some glass marking. Good For Coated metals, such as paint aluminum or painted brass, do not require pre-treatment.
CO2 lasers are best suited for non-metals, producing good markings on materials such as wood, leather, paper, plastics, glass, ceramics and acrylics.