Fiber laser machines are the standard technology for metal engraving. Merely varying the wattage output of a fiber laser allows it to create different markings and engravings with varying depths. A fiber machine is also very accurate – with diameters as low as 0.1mm, fiber lasers can create incredibly detailed designs. Best of all, fiber machines do not require pre-treatment to etch stainless steel.
A fiber laser also finishes the same amount of work faster – the output of 2 or 3 CO2 machines can be reproduced by a single fiber laser system. In terms of electrical efficiency, fiber lasers are clearly the winner, using only about a third of the power to produce the same amount of work as a CO2 laser. Stainless steel is one of the most widely used metals across several industries. Prized primarily due to its corrosion resistance, stainless steel comes in different grades and variants according to the ratio of chromium and molybdenum mixed into the steel alloy material.
The medical industry is a particularly heavy user of stainless steel because of the industry’s strict requirement for materials that will not produce or transmit biological and chemical contaminants. Surgical tools made of this metal can withstand repeated cycles of sterilisation by autoclave and the oxidative effect of several sterilising chemicals. Stainless steel prosthetics, such as hip bone replacements and cranial plates, can be made of alloys especially designed to resist mechanical wear and biological reactions.
Lasers engraving technology of complies with the FDA’s mandate to mark all medical tools and devices with a unique device identifier (UDI). This requirement creates a system of traceability and liability for all medical devices, where each product can be traced and identified to its manufacturer. Having such a system compels medical device manufacturers to be accountable for the quality of their products in case of a product recall.
Medical devices, in particular, should not have deep etches, as these become perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. This makes annealing stainless steel the ideal appropriate process for marking, as it merely changing the colour of the metal through a chemical reaction without consuming any of the material. The surface of the material remains as smooth as it was before the engraving process.
Designed, developed and manufactured here in the UK. Our N-Lase products define our range of Industrial ID lasers which are perfect for assisting with coding, marking and trackability requirements. Get in touch today to find out how our lasers can help bring continuous improvement to your production and manufacturing environments.
Designed, developed and manufactured here in the UK. Our create. products define our range of personalisation lasers which are perfect for bringing next-level customer experience to retailers.
Personalise it. Brand it. Create it.
Laser engraving plastics offers a variety of benefits. Laser engraving is an extremely precise and accurate method of creating intricate designs on plastic surfaces. It also allows for the creation of very detailed images, logos, and text with a high degree of accuracy. Additionally, laser engraving is permanent and will not fade or wear away over time like other methods such as painting or printing. The process also does not require any additional materials or equipment which makes it cost-effective and efficient for businesses that need to produce large quantities of custom parts quickly. Finally, laser engraving can be used on a wide range of plastics including acrylics, polycarbonates, ABS plastics, PVCs, and more which makes it ideal for creating customized products in many different industries.
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.
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.
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.
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/
