Laser Marking is a marking method that uses a focused laser beam to alter the surface of a target. There are no additional materials used, just a laser beam. However, a laser marking system for industrial use is a comprehensive system of parameters, software, hardware, and laser marking device(s).
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The laser marking device is naturally an important part of the laser marking system. However, hardware is just one part of a fully functional system.
Laser Marking Software is where you design what you want to mark, and also where you do all the technical configurations. In a perfect laser marking system, both the software and the hardware talk seamlessly together.
The following image is a view of our CajoSuite™ laser marking software. This is where the design is made, and also where all the configuration parameters reside.
(More information on laser marking software)
When you have a laser marking or any marking requirement, the process typically goes like this:
We believe it is important to master the entire laser marking process in order to get the best possible results, as efficiently as possible. Our laser marking technology starts from know-how from hundreds of industrial applications and continues with expert quality testing. Our laser marking technology is designed 100 % in-house, from the software to the control board, and to the laser marking devices.
We divide the laser marking devices into three categories:
Stand-alone laser marking systems work perfectly for more simple requirements, integrated laser marking systems form a part of a production line, and dedicated systems are typically custom-made for a very complex or otherwise not typical requirement.
Stand-alone laser marking system by Cajo Technologies
Customized laser marking system
Products or parts can be marked with text, serial numbers, or machine-readable data such as barcodes, Unique ID codes, 2D data matrix codes, QR codes, and graphics.
Cajo MakeBright™ produces markings on cardboard without any additives
Laser marking works virtually for any industrial marking requirements you might have. Over the years, we have realized hundreds of different marking systems and applications. Here you have a list of a few examples we find particularly interesting.
This project is quite interesting not only for its marking requirement but also for the integration we did for the customer’s ERP system. The laser marking system here works perfectly for product traceability. Each key is marked individually and they are 100% traceable back to the production line.
Read more: iLOQ – Electronic, plastic key laser marking
Occasional challenges in zinc bar production facilities are high surface humidity and temperature variation between 80 to 110 degrees Celsius. Laser marking technology proved that regardless of these challenges highly precise and abrasion-resistant markings can be carried out. In addition, the solution was fully automated with a robot supplied by our partner ABB.
Read more: Zinc Bar Laser Marking
Creating permanent markings with good contrast on a yellow polyethylene (PE) plastic has been somewhat challenging until the laser solved it. integrated laser marking works now at 10m/s speed marking the cable every 120 degrees. One batch reaches 80 km of cable. 100.000 h of marking without maintenance.
Read more: Subsea Cable Marking
There are a lot more examples from different industries. Find more examples on our case studies page: All Case Studies
Sharpness and speed were the most important factors here. Even though, also our ability to laser mark vibrant colours on steel, titanium, and chrome without additives provided a singular benefit. We are able to permanently mark full-colour graphics directly on stainless steel blades.
The solution implemented was two Cajo laser marking systems configured with an automatically rotating table. Excellent speed and accuracy were obtained in the production process without machine maintenance or downtime.
Read More: Stainless Steel Marking
Cost savings, flexibility, and marking speed were considered top features. Marking volumes are around 50 000 metal plates annually, and there can be over a dozen different marking plates for different components. Our laser marking solution speeded up the marking process by decreasing it to 1/3 of the time needed with the previous marking solution.
Read more: CO2 Laser Replacement
Want more information on ezcad laser software? Feel free to contact us.
Many assume that laser engraving is a craft reserved for large businesses or individuals with years of technical training. The truth is, however, that laser engraving is a very accessible skill that almost anyone can learn. In fact, with the right laser engraving machine software, becoming proficient in etching beautiful designs on an array of materials has never been more achievable.
With the right laser engraving software, users can create designs, configure them to communicate with their machines, and apply the appropriate laser power settings. Laser engraving software operates as an essential intermediary between the user's imagination and their engraving machines.
As laser engraving machines continue to rise in popularity, tools that can make the most of what laser engravers can do are in high demand. Software developers have recognized this demand and are creating laser applications at record speed. A quick internet search for the best software for laser engraving produces so many results that it can be impossible to weigh your options or even know what features are best for your needs. The truth is that it depends on a few factors:
There are mainly two types of software for laser engravers: design software and control software.
Laser engraving design software is a versatile tool that simplifies the creation of intricate designs. It offers features tailored to laser engraving, allowing users to draw shapes, add text, and import images easily. These software packages include various drawing tools like bezier curves, shapes, and brushes for creating complex designs.
Users can precisely customize their designs by adjusting parameters such as line thickness, color, and transparency. Advanced editing capabilities, like node editing, enable fine-tuning of individual points in a design to achieve the desired shape.
Moreover, the software accommodates multiple file formats, enabling users to import designs from diverse sources. This adaptability ensures smooth integration into existing workflows and compatibility with various design assets.
Laser engraving control software manages the engraving machine, offering a user-friendly interface to control laser power, speed, and resolution. It lets users preview designs and simulate the engraving process to ensure accuracy and prevent errors. This software ensures smooth operation by facilitating effective communication between the computer and the engraving machine.
The control software optimizes the engraving process by adjusting settings based on material type and thickness. Advanced versions offer real-time monitoring and feedback, allowing on-the-fly adjustments for optimal results.
Together, design and control software streamline the laser engraving process, from design creation to execution, enabling precise, high-quality results.
Laser engraving software comes in various price ranges and with an array of features. Before diving into your available options, it will be helpful to define some key terms:
LightBurn software hits all the crucial points. It is affordably priced, and a native application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Further, LightBurn has a user-friendly interface and, as a CAD, CAM, and control software, supports all stages of graphic design and execution so that you won't need any additional software for your projects. LightBurn is also compatible with common vector graphic formats and raster images such as PDF, PNG, AI, JPG, SVG, GIF, and BMP.
Additionally, it can control laser engravers and cutters, allowing you to send your designs directly to the machine for engraving or cutting. This combination of design and control capabilities makes LightBurn a comprehensive solution for laser cutting and engraving projects.
Key Features ofLightBurn Software:
Overall, LightBurn is the ultimate choice for different laser engraving projects, offering efficiency, reliability, seamless integration, and a user-friendly interface. LightBurn enables users to elevate their engraving skills and achieve exceptional results effortlessly.
CorelDRAW is a leading graphic design software tailored for multiple applications, including laser engraving. It provides a wide range of tools and functionalities that make it perfect for crafting intricate and accurate designs for engraving projects.
Key Features of CorelDRAW:
Overall, CorelDRAW is a comprehensive design solution for laser engraving, offering a range of features to create detailed, precise, and customizable designs.
RDWorks is a free laser engraving software that has been gaining popularity due to its attractive price point and wide range of CAD capabilities. RDWorks offers powerful functionality in most points and lines critical in design software, with support for AI, PLT, DXF DST, and DSB vector files. RDWorks' user-friendly interface is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11.
AutoCAD was created in by veteran software developer Autodesk and is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The learning curve for this CAD software is steep, and it can take some time to learn all the ins and outs. AutoCAD is intuitive, expensive, and used predominantly in professional industries such as engineering, construction, and architecture.
To know more laser engraver software, please check this list.
Both professionals and hobbyists rely on laser engraving software to translate their designs into tangible products. While most additional purchases beyond your laser machine are optional, you cannot use a laser engraver without software. The good news is that a reputable laser cutting machine company will equip its customers with the required software for its products. More good news is that if you're unsure if you will like a specific paid software, many companies will offer a free trial. Some entirely free software options exist as well. LaserGRBL, for example, provides a photo laser engraving software free download.
The positions of the nodes that create a scalable vector graphic (SVG) can drastically affect the composition of lines and curves that form an image. A higher number of nodes equals a more complex graphic, and altering the position of just one node can have a dramatic effect. With software equipped with node editing, users can manipulate these nodes to customize any design to their hearts' content. Also, because you can scale SVG file formats without negatively impacting the image quality, you can change the shape and the size of your graphics while keeping the integrity of the original image.
Each laser engraving project is unique and works best with a particular image format. What works great for one project may not be ideal for another. For this reason, ensuring that your laser engraving software is compatible with various graphic images is essential. For instance, with its myriad pixels, a raster file works wonderfully for engraving beautifully detailed photographs. Alternatively, vector files work great for logos or images that need to be scaled.
Because you can view your project on your laser engraving software's interface before the laser interacts with the material, you will know what every single project looks like beforehand. A high-caliber engraving software will also allow you to adjust the settings pertaining to laser speed, the number of passes, the cut order for the various components, image brightness, contrast levels, and more. From a design standpoint, this amount of control is critical to guaranteeing the accuracy of your final result.