At TYKMA Electrox, we’ve always got our eye on where the laser marking industry is heading and we like to keep our readers aware of changes and advances through our news posts.
With that in mind, here are some of the most significant trends the laser marking industry has seen this year. We expect them to continue to play a role in the industry next year and beyond, so be sure to take a look at all the developments.
The Laser Industry Continues Its Expansion into India
September saw the most recent iteration of the LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA trade fair in Pragati Maidan, Delhi, an event which featured nearly 160 total exhibitors and over 6,000 attendees.
At the event, fiber lasers were given a particular focus, with numerous low- and high-power fiber lasers on hand for demonstrations. Additionally, several Chinese companies showcased pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) fiber laser ranges for their various products, while other companies highlighted femtosecond lasers, and 3D capabilities.
The popularity of this event shows the significantly increasing role the laser industry is playing within India, and represents an indication of potential future growth.
Next year’s version of the event will be occurring September 26-28, and will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). If you’re in that part of the world and have a chance to attend, be sure to take the opportunity!
Laser Marking on a Variety of Colored Resins
Another interesting laser marking development comes by way of materials maker RTP Co. As part of their product line they’ve unveiled a new color lineup of laser-markable compounds.
This new colored lineup is expected to be embraced by a variety of industries utilizing laser marking, particularly the medical industry which employs the method on a variety of medical equipment devices. A few insights:
- As their strategic account manager Joe Hennessey recently stated at the UBM Advanced manufacturing Expo, “laser marking systems… are gaining more traction and more interest because of FDA requirements.”
- He believes that their new line, along with their previous offerings, can “help OEMs get their markings on individual medical devices.”
Colors to be utilized as part of the new rollout include Obelisk, Tahitian Blue, Grand Canyon, and Midas Touch. Be sure to check out these new colored products as you consider materials to laser mark.
Laser Marking Being Utilized for Custom Leather Gifts
Another way the laser marking industry is changing and expanding is through its continued presence in the hobbyist and small business sectors, with custom laser marked gifts standing out as an emerging trend.
As we reported earlier in the year in our laser industry trends and innovations blog post, personalization through laser marking has grown significantly as a trend and has been adopted by those crafting custom leather goods.
Some of the types of leather products companies have laser engraved with designs, monograms, and personal messages include:
- Purses
- Wallets
- Watches
- Necklaces
- Linens
- Planners and journals
As the laser marking industry continues to grow, and more companies and hobbyists start utilizing laser marking systems, we expect personalized leather goods to continue to be a strong niche market for the industry.
Natural Branding
Lastly, one of the most fascinating laser marking trends witnessed in 2017 has been the ongoing role laser systems have played in “natural branding,” which is a process that uses laser marking to produce branding and tracking information on food products that completely eliminates the need for stickers.
We covered the topic in-depth in our packaging waste blog post earlier in the year, but some key details from that piece include:
- Natural branding has the ability to reduce or eliminate consumables from the packaging/labeling process, such as inks, adhesives, paper, fluids, and more
- Less energy is expected to be utilized during the process in comparison to traditional means
- The marking and tracking of produce and other foodstuffs will be simpler and buyers will appreciate the lack of stickers
- Fewer plastics and other packaging materials will be required
For a comprehensive look at this exciting development, be sure to head over to our blog post linked above.
Reach Out to Us
Curious about more of the possibilities for laser marking, etching, and engraving? Feel free to browse our news page and overall website for plenty of additional insights.
And if you have any questions for our dedicated team, be sure to contact us. We’ll be happy to help!