Marking, structuring, and cleaning

Panasonic fiber laser – marking in metal and plastics

Permanent marking of logo, text, and barcodes provides both traceability and branding in one process. At Markings Nordic, consulting, project management, and feasibility studies with laser tests are the foundational steps to ensure a successful result. We are with you every step of the way.

Panasonic lasers can be used for marking, structuring, and cleaning – tailored to fit what is needed for your products. The uniquely high quality of Panasonic lasers place them as the absolute top of the field within laser marking technology.

See products See FAQ

See the latest innovation in laser marking technology: the LP-ZV Series!

The versatility of a Panasonic laser

In the context of laser technology, Panasonic laser markers can be used for various applications, including marking, structuring, and cleaning. These three processes showcase the versatility of laser technology in addressing various manufacturing and surface treatment needs.

The specific capabilities of each Panasonic laser marker for these processes and how they can be utilized in your production depends on various factors. Press the buttons on the right, to know more about each application. Before selecting a Panasonic laser marker, it is essential to evaluate your specific manufacturing requirements, including the materials you work with, the desired marking quality, and integration needs. At Markings Nordic, we always undertake a feasibility study with your own products to ensure that the chosen laser marker aligns with your production goals. Want to find out more about a feasibility study and how the Panasonic lasers would work for your products?

Contact us for a feasibility study

Laser Marking

Laser marking involves using a laser beam to create marks or identifiers on a material´s surface. This can include text, logos, serial numbers, barcodes, and other types of visual information.

It is commonly used for product identification, traceability, branding, and aesthetic purposes. Laser marking is applicable to a wide range of materials, such as metals, plastics, glass, and ceramics.

Laser Structuring

Laser structuring is the process in which a laser is used to modify the surface of a material, creating specific textures, structures, or patterns.

When using the term structuring, it refers to functional purposes. For example, it can be used to create anti-slip textures on surfaces or generate specific surface structures for improved adhesion.

Laser Cleaning

Laser cleaning is a process in which the laser energy is utilized to remove contaminants, coatings, or unwanted substances from a surface without causing damage to the underlying material.

It is a process often used for industrial cleaning tasks, such as removing rust, paint, oil, or other coatings from surfaces. It is considered a more environmentally friendly and precise method compared to traditional cleaning techniques.

LP-ZV

3D short pulse fiber laser excelling at high marking definition on metal and plastic.
Offers high output marking capability in combination with high contrast marking and extra small character marking.
A wider marking field enables large size marking in one single operation – improving productivity and cost reduction.

LP-RV

An innovative short pulse fiber laser for applications with extra small characters and high contrast.
A removable laser head ensures easy integration within an existing production line.
A high degree of IP64 makes the laser protected in dusty production environments.

LP-RF

An easy-to-handle 20W fiber laser system that can be installed at almost any orientation enabling easy integration.
The best choice for uncomplicated 2D plastic and metal applications.
Includes free PC software for design and layout purposes.

LP-RH

The next generation CO2 laser marker offers a remarkable improvement in the marking and processing quality for industries with particularly high demands in terms of speed and functionality.
With an ultrafast Galvano scanner, the CO2 laser can mark moving objects on the fly at a line speed of up to 240m/min.
Includes free PC software for design and layout purposes.

LC-3000

A high-capacity workstation offering flexibility for customized integrations.
The LC-3000 facilitates X-Y-Z positioning of components with the following distances: X-axis 500mm, Y-axis 430mm, and Z-axis 350mm.
All model variations provide a laser safety cabin, protective features, and an industry PC with pre-installed controller software for workstation.

LC-1000

The LC-1000 offers great flexibility in industrial production, as well as for manufacturing prototypes, components, or small-scale production.
The workstation is suitable for all fiber lasers and ensures safe product handling during laser marking.
The LC-1000 provides a marking working area of up to 330 x 330mm.

The Markings Nordic Approach

1. Insight

This phase is all about you! Your wishes, your product, and your production. We ask (a lot of) questions in order to understand your business and how we can support you to succeed even further.

2. Research

We want to make sure that our solution provides the right fit for your production. To do that we carry out a feasibility study where we test laser marking on your products and document the outcome. In the end, we make sure that the specific laser solution is the best fit for your product.

3. Solution

Our mutual understanding and the findings from the feasibility study results in a commercial and technical quotation in which the best solution for a laser system is presented. Our success depends on your success. This is why we always ensure tests and documentation prior to commitment.

4. Implementation

This stage involves the more practical side of things. Together with your automation partner, we make sure your new laser marking system is successfully integrated in your production.

5. Support

While your new system is now fully operational, do not worry, you are not alone. Whether you need support, maintenance, or training – we are here to help!

Find answers to the frequently asked questions here

While using and integrating a Panasonic Laser in your production can be very different, depending on your products, production environment, and many other variables, we have gathered a few of the more general questions here. Are you looking for specific answers to your case? Please get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Can a laser mark on all surfaces?

No – it differs depending on the type of laser. A fiber laser can mark on most hard surfaces. However, we always test for contrast during a feasibility study to ensure that the laser works for you.

How can I be sure that the chosen Panasonic laser system works for my product?

At Markings Nordic, we perform a feasibility study free of charge to find the best laser for your product. A small quantity of your products are sent to the Panasonic lab and we document the process of laser marking on your specific products. This gives us excellent documentation of laser marking with your specific products in mind.

What about safety – is shielding needed?

Yes. To use a Panasonic laser in your production and comply with safety standards, you need additional shielding, such as a workstation. This is not included in the price of the laser.

Can a laser handle unique data from external ERP-systems?

Yes, at Markings Nordic we can help you convey unique data from your ERP-system, 2D codes, and more to the Panasonic laser.

Can the laser mark graphic and graphical elements?

Yes, a Panasonic laser can mark graphical elements, layouts, and logo designs with no problem.

Panasonic fiber lasers like the LP-ZV model typically accept graphic files in formats such as DXF, PLT, AI, SVG, BMP, JPG, and others commonly used in laser marking and engraving applications. Generally, vector-based formats like DXF, PLT, AI, and SVG are preferred for laser marking applications, as they can define precise shapes and lines that the laser can follow accurately.

I want to mark a product with a sloping side. Can a Panasonic laser mark on a surface that is not flat?

Yes, with a Panasonic 3D fiber laser, such as the LP-ZV, we can efficiently mark 3D surfaces, such as sloping planes and free-form objects. It is possible to mark complex geometry, cylindrical parts, as well as mark in multiple locations.

How precisely should the product be placed?

Laser marking is extremely precise and relates to focal distance. Therefore, precision is of the utmost importance. Narrow tolerances provide stronger print quality.

When marking a product, the focal distance is very important. Generally, the tolerance for marking on a steel surface with a 1064μm fiber laser can be quite precise, often in the range of +/- 0,1 mm or smaller. However, the exact tolerance will depend on the specific application requirements and the capabilities of the laser marking system being used.

Where do I find product information?

Brochures on each Panasonic laser or workstation are available to give you more technical specifications.

Click to see available documents.

The Technical Corner

3D Laser Marking

For easy integration and marking on complex shapes the 3D optics will allow internal adjustment of a large range of 50mm in the Z-direction. This means that with Panasonic’s 3D marking technology, you can mark 3D surfaces with many different applications. This includes marking, engraving, annealing, and surface processing. You can also mark complex geometry, cylindrical parts, and even mark in multiple positions.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a technique often applied in the automobile or electromechanics industry. During this process, the laser removes material and creates an indent, often combined with a color change for extra contrast and visibility. The marking is applied using a combined melt and evaporation ablation process, which means the radiation of the laser beam is high enough to melt the material and partially evaporate it during processing. The typical engraving depth is 10 to 60 μm. The engraving is V-shaped and becomes narrower the deeper the laser melts into the material.

Laser and Plastic

Not every laser can be used for marking on plastics. The key to laser marking of plastics is achieving sufficient absorption of the laser beam into the material. When working with plastic products, color change includes discoloration, bleaching, and carbonization. Color molecules can be selectively bleached and their color changed as laser beam energy is used to break down or change the structure of individual molecules, such as color pigments. This results in color changes that are either brighter or darker than the original color. The use of short-pulse laser, a nanosecond laser, on plastics will increase contrast and reduce thermal damage.