Laser Marking Unveiled: Navigating Trends and Innovations for 2024

Laser marking originally emerged in the late 1960s to early 1970s with the creation and development of the CO₂ laser, and as technology has advanced, laser marking has earned its place as a reliable tool for permanent marking. Today, laser marking systems are versatile enough to be used for diverse applications in many industries around the world.

Since technology will only get more advanced as time goes on, the possibilities for innovating laser marking equipment will continue to expand. Join us as we highlight some of the trends and innovations that have emerged that will be affecting the industry in 2024 and beyond.

Current Trends in the Laser Marking Industry

With the help of increased laser power, improved beam quality, higher speeds, and enhanced control systems, laser marking systems have expanded their capabilities and use across various industries. From shorter wavelength machines that make marking on more materials possible to the development of femtosecond lasers for ultrafast marking, the industry continues to make discoveries that expand marking abilities.

Read on to discover the current trends in laser marking, identifying innovations that take precision, speed, and machine capability to the next level.

Lasers with Shorter Wavelengths for Achieving Better Accuracy

Using laser marking machines with shorter wavelengths helps to achieve better resolution and contrast on your materials. Examples of machines that have shorter wavelengths include systems featuring UV lasers and green lasers. Not only are these systems precise, but they also are compatible with a variety of materials, making them the perfect solution for diverse applications.

UV lasers are known for their ability to facilitate “cold marking,” which is a method that does not result in extreme heat stress being applied to the surface of an object. This is ideal for applications that involve softer materials like gold, silver, or copper.

Green laser marking is also designed to conduct cold marking on materials and is the best solution for materials that are not reactive to other wavelengths. Green lasers are often used to achieve foaming, which is used in some cases to mark plastic, rubber, and other similar materials.

Both of these laser types are ideal in a world where there is a high demand for clear and sustainable ways to create long-lasting marks on products. Whether the markings are used for traceability or aesthetic appeal, laser marking machines are ready to take on the challenge.

Femtosecond Lasers for Delicate Applications

Another notable trend in the laser marking industry for 2024 is the use of femtosecond lasers for more delicate applications. This approach applies ultrashort laser pulses to the surface of an object to create a mark that is clear but doesn’t damage the surface in any other capacity.

This method is great for marking transparent surfaces like glass and optical fibers. The process of micromachining optical fibers is very complex and not easy to achieve using other methods, which is why this is a worthwhile advancement for the industry.

Within the medical field, femtosecond lasers have been greatly beneficial for nonmarking procedures like laser cataract surgery, the treatment of tractional vitreous attachments, and more (ScienceDirect). For marking, they have also been used to prevent the fraudulent production of drugs that are in tablet form.

A Look at Laser Marking Globally

Manufacturing operations in China and India have utilized laser marking systems for many years since the process provides such a reliable means of traceability and compliance. However, this saw a shift during COVID-19, as the strict lockdowns in these areas caused disruptions to the supply chain. Manufacturing in the United States, meanwhile, was able to survive and thrive because some workers were allowed to practice remote work to keep operations underway, and others were permitted to work onsite as they were deemed essential to national production.

Worldwide, laser marking is used by many fields, but especially the automotive industry since the marks that are produced are resistant to thermal stress, acids, gasoline, oils, and beyond. Laser marking is also an economically friendly choice because it is easy to operate and works quickly, promoting quick turnaround on projects. In 2024, this has remained true, and we continue to create laser marking solutions that exceed the expectations of our clients.

The Future of Laser Marking

One innovative way that laser marking is being used is to embed data into glass and crystal media. This makes it possible to create memory crystals, which are a newer, highly efficient form of data storage, and we expect to see greater implementation of this in the coming years.
The growth of AI and other machine learning tools has led to the technology being used for design software and algorithms to create a more efficient marking process, something likely to only continue in the future.
In terms of emerging laser marking tech, quantum dot semiconductor lasers are also growing more popular with their ability to use tiny semiconductor particles that emit light when exposed to a laser. This approach should offer higher resolution for more vivid colors, which is great for those who use it for branding, design, and other custom applications.

Contact the Laser Marking Experts at TYKMA Electrox with Any Questions

In the world of laser marking, innovation merges with precision, and permanence pairs with personalization. If you’re interested in learning more about the industry or want to know if laser marking is the right solution for you, be sure to reach out to TYKMA Electrox today. Our team would be happy to assist you.