SHINHOP laser

In many cases, we cannot clearly distinguish whether laser marking machines and laser engraving machines are actually the same type of equipment. Some marking machines are directly referred to as engraving machines, while others believe they belong to the same type of equipment. In fact, for manufacturers of laser processing equipment, the difference between the two is not significant; both use lasers to process workpieces and complete related process forming, having technical universality. However, there are some differences in application scope and details. So how do we distinguish them in terms of applications and functions? First, let's analyze their application scope.

Applications of laser marking machines and laser engraving machines?
1. Applications of laser marking machines:
1. Used in the IT industry, telecommunications, machinery manufacturing, food and pharmaceuticals, medical devices, watches and glasses, craft gifts, precious metal jewelry, leather clothing, packaging and printing appliances, precision hardware, accessories, electrical appliances, instruments, and other metal processing industries.
2. In the food industry, the application currently mainly refers to using lasers to create various information marks on the surface of food, such as patterns, QR codes, etc. The advantages are no consumables, more refined and clear printing effects, higher resolution, lower failure rate, and cleanliness without pollution.
3. For non-metal processing industries such as clothing, leather, craft gifts, packaging, advertising, wood, textiles, plastics, signs, electronic communications, watches, glasses, printing, and decoration, marking can be achieved. The processing of non-metal materials such as wooden products, fabrics, leather, acrylic, epoxy resin, and unsaturated resin has good results.
5. Direct packaging industry. We all know that laser marking machines, also known as laser coding machines, are used for marking and identifying food and beverage packaging, bottle caps, cigarette box packaging, and pharmaceutical box/bottle packaging. Regardless of the material, these all need to be marked by laser marking machines, such as the product's production date, batch number, QR code, etc., clearly marked on the material.
6. Used for marking in various metals: the electronic hardware accessories industry. Many people may not understand that some hardware accessories and electronic components will use laser marking machines for marking. For materials with high friction, such as automobiles, ships, machinery, and equipment, using lasers for marking can achieve wear resistance, helping the industry with marking.
7. Applications through polymer materials, electronic components, wire limiters, reflective films, plastic keys, sapphire, glass, tiles, aluminum plates, signs, and other non-metal materials. For cold processing with ultraviolet laser marking machines, these are their specialties, targeting industries such as electronic communications, electrical engineering, instruments, precision hardware, watches and glasses, jewelry, ceramics, and more.
2. Applications of laser engraving machines:
1. Architectural models, mechanical models, vehicle models, ship models are the oldest design tools. Modern society has given models a more novel meaning and broader applications. It is not an exaggeration to say that models are the models of industry. The expression and display of mechanical, vehicle, ship, and architectural design schemes, as well as the sale of commercial houses, cannot be separated from models. Models themselves also have independent competitions, commemorative and collection activities and significance. Currently, engraving machines that make model production more exquisite and faster have become the best helpers for model making in various industries.
2. Plaques, signs, and labels. The ever-changing construction of urban public facilities, street renovations, modern residential communities, hotels, and office buildings has created a large demand for signage and guidance systems that meet international standards. Among them, engraved plaques, signs, and labels occupy a significant portion. To establish a good corporate image and improve internal management, capable enterprises are also replacing their company plaques with engraved ones. Making nameplates and department signs in engraved form has long become a fashion trend.
3. Arts and crafts, gifts, and souvenirs. Increasingly, medals, certificates, souvenirs, and advertising promotional items in meetings and tourism activities are popular for engraving. Engraving on items such as steel pens, leather goods, tableware, lighters, watches, bottle openers, keychains, trophies, plates, imitation crystal ornaments, golf clubs, shotguns, and rings can reflect taste and personality. Engraving on bookmarks, powder boxes, pendants, picture frames, and silverware with rich artistic expression meets people's needs for emotional communication.
4. Acrylic crafts and processing. Acrylic is one of the most ideal engraving materials. Regardless of which of the five major processing methods of "cutting," "milling," "engraving," "carving," or "drilling" is used, acrylic has excellent processability. Acrylic has always been an ideal material for experimental instruments, models, POP advertising displays, small decorative items, artistic lamps, craft gifts, and souvenirs. The close combination of engraving machines and acrylic, as good tools and materials, will inevitably produce a variety of excellent products.
5. Industrial processing. China's output of building materials has ranked first in the world and is currently rapidly developing towards improving quality and perfecting varieties. Engraving machines can conveniently and quickly produce a large number of exquisite molds for gypsum ceilings and ceramic tiles, thus greatly increasing the value of decorative material products processed with these molds. In developed manufacturing countries, marking on parts, making instrument dials, and producing various signs, labels, work number plates, and production flow charts necessary for standardized management are mostly completed by engraving machines. According to foreign surveys, in developed industrial countries such as Germany and Switzerland, two-thirds of engraving machines are used as machine tools in factories. China is becoming the "world's factory," and it is believed that engraving machines will flourish and prosper in one workshop after another across the land of China.
Based on the above application scope and analysis, we can find the differences between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines.
1. The first difference between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines: different working areas.
The working area of laser marking machines is not particularly large, about the size of an ordinary office desk.
Some small power laser engraving machines also have small processing areas, but some high-power laser engraving machines are mainly used for cutting metals, and their processing areas are quite large, at least the size of a bed.
2. The second difference between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines: speed difference.
The speed of laser marking machines is much faster than that of laser engraving machines. For example, in a mineral water factory, the assembly line runs about 100 meters in one minute.
3. The difference between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines: different depths.
Laser engraving machines can engrave on large travel sizes and can also cut, with depths far exceeding those of laser marking machines.
4. The difference between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines: different lasers.
The optical path system of the laser engraving machine consists of three reflective lenses and a focusing lens, and the laser is generally a carbon dioxide glass tube. The lifespan of glass tube lasers is usually between 2000-10000 hours. Carbon dioxide glass tube lasers are all single-use. The lasers in laser marking machines are generally metal tube lasers (non-metal marking machines) and YAG solid-state lasers (metal laser marking machines), with a lifespan of generally over five years. Metal tube lasers in laser marking machines can be refilled for reuse.
5. The difference between laser marking machines and laser engraving machines: different prices.
The price of laser marking machines varies depending on the materials and the corresponding models selected, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Non-metal laser engraving and cutting machines, especially low-power ones, are relatively much cheaper than laser marking machines. However, laser engraving machines for cutting thick metals are also very expensive.