DEEP ENGRAVING OF METALS FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR USING HIGH AVERAGEPOWER DIODE PUMPED SOLID STATE LASERS

摘要

This paper investigates deep engraving of steel andaluminium by laser. By examination of laser andscanner parameters an optimal balance between featurequality and processing speed is achieved. Materialremoval rates of up to 20 mm3/min for steel and40 mm3/min for aluminium are demonstrated up to amaximum engraved depth of 1mm. The effect offeature shape and feature size on the process is alsoinvestigated.Deep engraving of metals using latest generation Q-switched diode pumped solid-state lasers is adeveloping application across a range of marketsectors. One key use is in creating indelible lasermilled marks on high value components in theautomotive industry for security reasons. These marksmust be resistant to tampering, visible after subsequentpainting, difficult to reproduce and not affecting theworking properties of the component.