A Guide to Aerospace Coding Products

Aerospace coding and marking have extensive quality monitoring standards that allow for the traceability of parts all along their lifespan. The parts are exposed to the most rigorous levels of heat and friction, and the coding must therefore be permanently legible - without compromising the material upon which they are coded. Every product must meet and exceed extensive testing and regulatory standards. For such aerospace applications, the coding products offered by Needham Laser are second to none.

We take pride in offering the best-in-class aerospace laser marking systems, which are tailored for anything from light use to the most demanding environments and uses.

We provide accurate cutting-edge coding solutions for a wide range of industries, across the aerospace production line - including part identification, electrical equipment coding, and serial or variable marking. Because our product line is designed to be versatile, you have a selection of industry-leading laser systems to choose from. Fully modular, each product can be adapted to your workspace or manufacturing line. The adaptability of our range allows our systems to fulfil the needs of the aerospace industry’s largest organisations.

When you buy from Needham Laser, you have access to our unrivalled at-hand services. We will be there from the start to assist you with the installation and integration of your selected system, as well as provide you with ongoing technical support.

To learn more about how our range of aerospace coding and marking equipment can deliver real benefits for your organisation, call Needham Laser on +44 (0)1948 660011 or fill out our online contact form to arrange a call back.

The Needs of the Aerospace Industry

Needham Laser supplies marking and coding technology to the UK’s leading aerospace manufacturers and the most renowned aerospace and defence sub-sectors. These products offer market-leading quality and adaptability in difficult manufacturing settings, providing efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to businesses needing to meet stringent regulations alongside growing output demands.

The tailored service offered by Needham Laser Tech is crucial for businesses engaged in heavy industrial and manufacturing operations, where large output quantities and strict regulatory inspection need supply chain efficiency. High-value aerospace organisations have long trusted Needham Laser Tech to supply the marking and coding solutions that exceed their expectations and allow for continual growth.

Needham Laser Tech continues to build upon strong relationships with:

Collins Aerospace
Gardner Aerospace
GKN Aerospace
Royal Air Force

The UK’s aerospace businesses require marking and coding systems that not only meet a set of regulatory standards but also bring financial and sustainable benefits. The range of coding and marking systems from Needham Laser offers the following advantages:

Permanent

Aircraft, whether commercial or military, have lengthy operating lifespans; airline aircraft have an average age of 20-25 years. Over the course of such lifespans, regular maintenance and repair of the aircraft will be commonplace, as well as a steady interchange of approved parts. As such, the need for aerospace part serialisation and traceability are the most crucial features of aerospace maintenance and manufacturing.

The parts used in aerospace engineering require a range of materials for various applications. Each material requires marking that does not damage its integrity at the time of marking, as well as being resistant to the temperatures and friction levels that particular part will endure. Needham Laser Tech’s systems make permanent marks on:

Stainless steel
Soft metals
Hardened metals
Alloys
Titanium
Titanium alloys
Brass
Copper
Carbides
High-speed steels
Aluminium
Anodised aluminium
Coated metals
Precious metals such as silver and gold

In contrast to more traditional methods of marking, a laser engraving machine does not require consumables such as inks, chemicals, or pastes.

Traceable

A strong traceability system is an essential aspect of quality monitoring for engineering part makers. The use of a metal laser marking system guarantees that these traceability markings stay permanent and readable for the part’s lifespan, which is especially important for parts that are subjected to a lot of friction and heat. Needham’s accurate laser systems ensure that your aerospace parts are permanently traceable and identifiable.

Safe

Not only is the quality at the pinnacle of industry standards, but our laser engraving machines also require no contact with the materials, which essentially negates the risk of damaging the materials engraved. This is vital for parts that will be used in the harshest environments - including extremely high temperatures and levels of friction. The laser etching will not be compromised by the part’s exposure to such factors, allowing for permanent traceability.

Cost-effective

Alongside a no-contact marking application, our laser engraving systems require no consumables, which is a significant cost in other engraving application forms. The full automation reduces the need for human interference - and the little need for maintenance makes laser engraving a much more economical option than more traditional engraving forms.

Superior metal and material engraving

A laser engraver's metal uses are as diverse as its aeronautical applications. Permanent markings may be made on stainless steel, soft metals, hardened metals, alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, brass, copper, carbides, high-speed steels, aluminium, anodized aluminium, coated metals, and precious metals such as silver and gold using a metal engraving machine. Switching from one metal to another will be as simple as adjusting laser parameters on the accompanying software with the correct equipment and a competent operator at the helm.

Our Aerospace Applications

All of our systems feature high-powered MOPA Fiber Laser Engines. Not only does this mean their lifespan is far greater than other lasers on the market but also this provides you with high peak power, extremely quick processing times and maximum application flexibility.

Using an N-Lase Fiber Laser Marking System allows the satisfaction of all of these needs on virtually everything in a flight-capable machine, including:

Turbine blades
Wires and switches
Wings
Flap components
Landing gears

The growth of the aviation industry requires a coding system that keeps up with an exponential number of parts produced, all of which need identifying and tracing at all times. For large-scale, fast production lines that require efficient engraving, our laser systems are your best option.

Needham Laser Tech’s Automotive Coding and Marking Systems

Precision and dependability are required for aerospace part labelling. Needham Laser has a long history of providing laser marking solutions to the aerospace industry, assisting clients in tracking and identifying components globally, and ensuring identity and traceability.

With over 60 years of experience, we offer the most advanced automotive coding systems available, with high-performance printing and durable designs. What is more, our marking systems commonly come bundled with their own software packages, designed to be user-friendly and ready to be integrated into your production line.

Select from stand-alone, desktop, handheld, and integrated laser systems. We will even design unique solutions and assist you in integrating them into your existing automated production line. Furthermore, our marking systems are frequently packaged with their own software packages that are user-friendly and ready to be incorporated into your production line.

For aerospace coding and marking applications, we propose the following printer solutions:

N-Lase Desktop

The N-Lase Desktop is our entry-level laser marking system for industrial identification applications, perfect for marking, etching, engraving and annealing all metals, coated metals, plastics and some organic materials.

The Desktop is the ideal solution for low to mid-volume throughput and is an affordable alternative to more traditional methods of marking, such as dot peen, electrochemical etching or hand marking. Despite being entry-level and affordable we haven’t sacrificed on quality or efficiency; our N-Lase Desktop comes with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours and a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Desktop Pro

The N-Lase Desktop Pro is the most popular laser in our N-Lase range. Designed for marking, etching, engraving and annealing almost all materials in mid to high-volume applications, the Desktop Pro is a full turnkey solution which includes an integrated All-in-One PC and an automatic door function to ensure maximum efficiency and simple operation.

The N-Lase Desktop Pro can be fitted with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser sources with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours. Like all products within our N-Lase range the Desktop Pro comes with a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Benchtop

The N-Lase Benchtop is the ‘big cousin’ to the Desktop Pro. It has the same style and design but on a much larger scale, so maximum versatility for industries wishing to mark, etch and engrave big parts. As the name suggested, the Benchtop is designed to sit on a bench/worktop within existing manufacturing cells and processes.

Due to its larger footprint and modular design, the N-Lase Benchtop can offer a broad range of optional extras such as XY marking tables for increased throughput, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 watt up to 100 watt for maximum speed and depth.

With our 3-year comprehensive warranty, the N-Lase Benchtop is the ideal solution for the efficient and reliable etching of heavy-duty parts in industrial environments.

N-Lase Workstation

The N-Lase Workstation offers our biggest enclosure mounted onto a portable base to offer maximum flexibility. The Workstation can be located within an existing manufacturing process or operate as a standalone marking and traceability station. With an integrated PC and auto door function, the N-Lase Workstation is a truly turnkey solution; simply wheel into the desired location and start etching.

With such a large enclosure, the N-Lase Workstation can be fitted with a wide range of options to further increase efficiencies and offer maximum throughput. Options include XY marking tables to facilitate the loading of multiple parts, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 Watt up to 100 Watt for maximum speed and depth.

As with all our N-Lase range, maximum reliability and robustness is assured with our 3-year comprehensive warranty.

N-Lase Integrated

Designed for integration into production, manufacturing and assembly lines, our N-Lase Integrated models offer high reliability, speed and flexibility in a convenient form factor. A wide range of laser power outputs on our standard system allow marking on a diverse variety of substrates, whereas the Integrated Max is suitable for more powerful hungry applications and much larger laser modules. N-Lase Integrated systems are maintenance free and will provide you with years upon years of trouble-free operation

N-Lase Handheld

Laser without limits with the N-Lase Handheld. This model allows you to move the system to wherever (and whatever) needs to be marked. Ease and usability is at the forefront of the design, including a counterbalanced laser head to ensure safe movement and use. Whether it's a plaque on a wall or a plate on the floor, this model is ready for the challenge.

Why Choose Needham Laser Tech?

Since our inception in 1962, we have supported the growth of the British aerospace industry, becoming one of the most trusted suppliers of its marking and coding equipment.

Aerospace organisations choose Needham Laser Tech for its industry-leading systems that require less labour since they are practically completely automated, allowing technical personnel to concentrate on more complex elements of the manufacturing process. In aerospace, this allows for engineering and manufacturing development efforts to focus on other areas. Financially, this represents a huge advantage, facilitating the redirection of funds away from the coding and marking process to additional activities.

When you choose Needham Laser Tech, you choose a laser engraving technique that is completely accurate and wholly dependable, largely due to the small degree of operator participation. Our laser marking systems need less maintenance than competing technologies since they have fewer moving components.

About Needham Laser Tech

Contact Needham Laser Tech Today

If you want to know more about how our services can help your aerospace processes, and find a coding and marking system that will serve the needs of your applications, get in touch with Needham Laser Tech today.

Give us a call on +44 (0)1948 660011, or fill out our online contact form to arrange a call back.

60+ years in industry

Heritage & market-leading knowledge

The Needham Group and its subsidiaries have been a part of the ever-developing coding and marking industry since 1962; identifying industry needs whilst simultaneously importing and developing exciting, practical and innovative products to suit.

Community-driven

Customer service at our core

Every day we share our passion and excitement for British manufacturing and innovation in laser technologies with each of our partners; from supplier and supply chain right through to end-user.

Short lead times

Delivery in weeks, not months

We design, develop and manufacture our lasers at our HQ in Shropshire; allowing for lean manufacturing, better efficiencies and speedy response times in our manufacturing, ultimately getting your products to you in weeks rather than months.

Made in Britain & Safety Regulations

We are proud to wear the Made in Britain badge, where all of our lasers are manufactured at our HQ in Shropshire. Combining over 60 years of company heritage with exquisite design and Great British engineering, we take great pride in our heritage and our commitment to producing quality products that represent the very best of British craftsmanship. Our loyal customers can be assured that when they choose us, they are investing in a product made with the utmost care and attention to detail.

The UK has the world's most rigorous regulatory requirements for laser safety.
We are proud to align our UK design and manufacturing with said regulations.
We are also certified members of AILU. - https://www.ailu.org.uk/