Laser Peeling
About Laser Processing
Laser processing is a form of thermal processing in which an object is irradiated with a light that has a high energy density (a laser beam). As the object absorbs energy from the laser beam, the surface temperature increases rapidly, causing the object to change states (to peel or to melt) as it reaches its melting or boiling point.
Laser Principles
Laser Structure
Gas laser | Solid-state laser | |
---|---|---|
Excitation source | Electrical discharge | Light(LD) |
Laser medium | CO2, etc | YAG, etc |
Amplifier | Optical resonator |
Types, Applications, and Properties of Lasers
Two types of lasers, gas and solid-state, are used in the plastics industry.
Applications for lasers include 1. drilling, 2. cutting, 3. removing paint, 4. printing (marking), and 5. welding. The type of laser used depends on the material.
Laser Properties
Material | Solid-state (YAG) laser | Gas (CO2) laser |
---|---|---|
Wavelength 1.06μ | Wavelength 10.6μ | |
Invisible light (infrared) | Invisible light (infrared) | |
Plastic | ○ | ○ |
Paint | ○ | ○ |
Metal | ○ | ×(Stainless is OK) |
Plating | ○ | × |
Transparencies (glass, resin) | × | ○ |
Ceramic | ○ | ○ |
Examples of Laser Processing
1. Laser type
Solid-state (YAG) laser
2. Applications
Removing paint
3. Resin Materials
PC
4. Processing
Add red print to a section of the PC molded item and paint the entire surface black.
Use a laser to remove paint from the sections that transmit light.