Laser source offers option for marking colors on metals

Trotec Laser USA offers the MOPA fiber laser source as an option for its SpeedMarker galvo laser marking systems. The user can select pulse durations from 4 and 200 ns, which provides a wider range of laser parameters; more options for creating high-contrast, homogeneous markings; and the ability to mark colors on some metals.

It can mark natural anodized aluminum in black and offers fast, corrosion-free annealing marking, the company reports. The laser can simulate the properties of conventional fiber lasers (relatively long pulses) and those of solid-state lasers (relatively short pulses) such as Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO4 (vanadate).