Question 1

What is the difference between laser engraving and marking?

Accepted Answer

Engraving removes material, creating a recessed mark by ablating surface layers to a controlled depth. Marking doesn't remove material; it induces a color change by forming an oxide layer on the surface through localized heating or rapid material removal at the surface. Engraving changes part geometry, marking doesn't. For tight-tolerance components or parts that can't lose dimensional material, marking is usually the correct choice. For deep, tactile marks, engraving is.

Question 2

Can you laser engrave galvanized steel?

Accepted Answer

Technically yes, but there's a real hazard. Galvanized steel has a zinc coating that, when ablated by a laser, releases zinc oxide fumes. That's a health risk without proper fume extraction. Our facility has industrial fume extraction rated for metal processing, so we can run galvanized steel safely. The zinc layer also affects mark contrast, so surface preparation or parameter adjustment is usually needed to get a clean result.

Question 3

How much should you charge for laser engraving?

Accepted Answer

Market rates for laser engraving services run anywhere from low per-piece costs on simple flat marks in high volume to several hundred dollars per part on complex 3D texturing or tight-spec UDI work. What drives price: material type, mark complexity, artwork prep time, run volume, and whether the job needs validation documentation. Honestly, any shop that quotes you a flat rate before seeing your part and spec is guessing. Every job is different. Contact Lasermed Tech for an accurate estimate.

Question 4

Does picosecond laser marking affect corrosion resistance on stainless steel?

Accepted Answer

Standard nanosecond laser marking generates heat that can degrade the passive oxide layer on stainless steel, reducing corrosion resistance at and around the mark. Picosecond marking forms nanostructures without meaningful thermal input, preserving the passive layer. For medical device components that go through post-marking passivation, this matters. Parts marked with our picosecond laser maintain their corrosion resistance through standard passivation processes.

Question 5

What file formats do you need to start a laser engraving job?

Accepted Answer

We work from vector files (DXF, DWG, AI, SVG) for logos, text, and line art. For photorealistic or grayscale engravings, high-resolution bitmap files work. For 3D surface texturing, a CAD surface model in STEP or IGES is the cleanest starting point. If your artwork needs conversion or cleanup, we handle that in-house rather than sending it back to you for rework. Reach out through our [contact page](/contactus) with what you have and we'll confirm it's workable before you send anything.

Question 6

What is the difference between picosecond and femtosecond USP laser marking?

Accepted Answer

Picosecond pulses last around 1 to 100 trillionths of a second; femtosecond pulses are shorter still, in the range of 10 to 500 quadrillionths of a second. Femtosecond systems produce a slightly smaller heat-affected zone and are preferred for the most thermally sensitive substrates. Picosecond systems cover the majority of medical and aerospace applications at lower operating cost. We select the correct pulse duration based on your material and marking specification, not a one-size approach.

Question 7

Can USP laser marking produce UDI-compliant Data Matrix codes for FDA-regulated medical devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We mark 2D Data Matrix codes that meet FDA 21 CFR Part 830 UDI requirements and can provide documentation supporting ISO 13485 traceability records. Mark contrast and readability are validated against ISO 15223 and ANSI MH10.8.2 grading standards. We've run UDI marking on stainless steel and titanium implants, surgical instruments, and reusable device components. If you need AIAG or GS1 compliant codes for aerospace or industrial traceability, we handle those formats as well.

Question 8

What is the smallest feature size achievable with USP laser marking?

Accepted Answer

Feature sizes in the range of 10 to 25 microns are achievable depending on material, optics configuration, and surface finish. In practical terms, that means legible text at 0.3mm font height and Data Matrix cells at 100 micron pitch on smooth metal surfaces. Surface roughness matters: a machined finish will hold tighter features than a rough-cast or grit-blasted surface. We'll evaluate your part surface condition during first-article review and confirm what feature resolution is realistic before committing to a production spec.

Question 9

Does USP marking require post-processing steps like passivation or cleaning?

Accepted Answer

For many applications, no. Picosecond marking leaves a clean surface without recast debris or oxidation scale, which is one reason it reduces overall process steps compared to nanosecond systems. That said, medical device manufacturing workflows under ISO 13485 or FDA quality system regulations may still require passivation as a documented step regardless of the marking process used. We can integrate [cleaning and passivation](/cleaning-and-passivation) into your job when your quality plan requires it rather than treating it as an automatic add-on.

Question 10

How does ultra short pulse marking compare to electrochemical etching for permanent part identification?

Accepted Answer

Electrochemical etching is cheaper per part at high volumes for simple marks, but it introduces a liquid process, requires masking and fixturing, and doesn't hold the tight dimensional tolerances you need for small features or complex geometries. USP marking is a dry, non-contact process, fully programmable, and scalable from prototype to production without tooling changes. For regulated industries where process validation and repeatability documentation are required, USP is significantly easier to qualify and maintain in a controlled manufacturing environment.

Laser Marking: Permanent, High-Contrast Results

Why Lasermed Tech for Laser Marking: Permanent, High-Contrast Results

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Materials We Run and What Each Requires

Laser Marking Applications & Capabilities

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3D Surface Texturing & Complex Part Geometry

Picosecond / Ultra-Short Pulse Laser Marking

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