Application NotesTechnical Documentation & Guides

Overview

A MOPA laser is a fiber laser that gives you more control over the pulse by pairing a master oscillator with a power amplifier. You can tune pulse width from a few nanoseconds up to hundreds, so the same machine that gently marks a plastic housing will also deep-engrave hardened steel. That range, with low heat input, is why MOPA gets used where the part can't tolerate much thermal load.

How a MOPA Fiber Laser Works

It starts at the master oscillator, which puts out a controlled seed pulse. That pulse runs through the electronic control before it's amplified and sent to the marking head:

• Seed pulse generator creates the initial low-power light pulse at the desired wavelength
• Electronic control adjusts pulse width, repetition rate and peak power
• Fiber-based power amplifier boosts pulse energy while preserving controlled characteristics
• Optical components focus the beam with pinpoint accuracy at the marking head
• Short pulses produce high peak power; longer pulses penetrate deeper for engraving

Key Advantages of MOPA Lasers

One MOPA platform covers jobs that would otherwise need several dedicated machines, across a range of materials:

• Variable pulse duration allows switching between delicate plastic marking and deep metal engraving
• High-contrast black and color marking on stainless steel and anodized aluminum surfaces
• Corrosion-resistant marks that survive sterilization cycles, cleaning agents and harsh environments
• Day and night marking capability for automotive switches and control panels
• Cold marking effect minimizes warping, discoloration and micro-cracking on sensitive substrates

Industrial Applications

MOPA systems handle most permanent marking jobs. Because one machine covers a wide material range, you buy and maintain fewer tools and still hold mark quality steady across parts and compliance requirements.

Typical Applications

• Medical device UDI marking on surgical tools and implants
• Automotive day/night marking on dashboards and control panels
• Electronics marking on heat-sensitive housings and PCBs
• Aerospace traceability on high-value alloys and composite materials

Related Products

TeleCom Fiber Laser • KRYO Cold Laser • Merlin LS Software

Overview

Cold laser marking is a noncontact process that marks a surface through a localized photochemical reaction instead of heat. Short wavelengths and ultrashort pulses change the material's microstructure or surface chemistry, so you get a clean permanent mark with almost no heat spreading past the spot. The part keeps its mechanical strength and its finish.

Materials Suited for Cold Laser Marking

Cold marking is for delicate or heat-sensitive parts, where a conventional laser process would distort, discolor, or damage the surface:

• Stainless steel and titanium — crisp, high-contrast marks with full dimensional stability
• Plastics — permanent, precise marks that preserve structural integrity and surface texture
• Paper and cardboard — sharp barcodes or logos on coated paper and security-grade products
• Glass — detailed, permanent marking on clear or frosted surfaces
• Metallic foils and polymer films — exceptional control on extremely heat-sensitive laminates

How Cold Laser Marking Works

Three things let it mark permanently without harming the material around the spot:

• Short-wavelength light carries high photon energy, enabling smaller spot sizes for sharper marks
• Photochemical reaction breaks chemical bonds at the molecular level, creating permanent color changes
• Minimized heat-affected zone confines energy to one surface area, preventing warping or cracking

Benefits for Manufacturers

You get precise, durable marks on a wide material range, which helps with QA and compliance. Switching substrates takes little adjustment, so one setup can run several product lines without extra tooling.

Typical Applications

• Medical device marking on surgical instruments and implants
• Aerospace component identification on heat-sensitive coatings and composites
• Electronics traceability on PCBs, flexible circuits and semiconductor components
• Automotive marking on electronic assemblies and sensitive foils

Related Products

KRYO Cold Laser Marker • TeleCom UV Laser • Merlin LS Software

Overview

The right process for metal depends on the alloy, what the mark has to survive, and how fast you need to run. Etching is the quickest. Engraving cuts the deepest, most durable mark. Annealing removes no material at all, so the surface stays intact and rust-free. Picking the right one holds up quality and keeps the line moving.

Laser Etching

Etching puts high energy into a small area, melting the surface so it expands into a raised, permanent mark. It's the fastest of the three and leaves the metal's strength intact:

• Compatible with steel, lead, aluminum and coated brass
• Creates clear visual contrast between markings and base material
• Faster than engraving and requires less laser power
• Best for serial numbers, QR codes, barcodes and branding features
• Less invasive than engraving — preserves more of the surface structure

Laser Engraving

Engraving vaporizes the surface to cut deep marks that shrug off abrasion, harsh environments, and most surface treatments. It's slower, but nothing else lasts as long, and it can produce precise 3D forms:

• Compatible with steel, aluminum, galvanized metals, titanium, brass, copper, silver and gold
• Deep marks will not wear out or become distorted over time
• Used in automotive, jewelry, medical and mass manufacturing
• Best for traceability, UDI codes, serial numbers and barcodes requiring maximum durability

Laser Annealing (Carbon Migration)

Annealing heats the metal slowly so oxygen diffuses and bonds below the surface, leaving a dark permanent mark without cutting away any material. Reach for it when the surface has to stay intact and rust-free.

• No ablation — the laser does not remove material from the surface
• Produces yellow, blue and brown color variations
• Works on titanium, steel and stainless steel only
• Used by the medical industry for UDI codes on equipment

Typical Applications

• Traceability and compliance marking for medical devices
• Automotive part identification and serialization
• Aerospace component marking on high-value alloys
• Industrial part marking for serial numbers and data matrix codes

Related Products

TeleCom Fiber Laser • MOPA Laser System • Merlin LS Software

Overview

A green laser runs at 532 nm, in the visible spectrum, which is what separates it from a standard infrared fiber laser. Green light is far easier for the eye to see and gets absorbed more readily than infrared, so it marks materials a 1064 nm laser can't touch: clear plastics, reflective metals, heat-sensitive electronics, and precious metals like gold, silver, and copper. Telesis sells one as the EV4GDS, a fiber-coupled, diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) 532 nm system.

Unique Properties of Green Lasers

A few things a standard infrared fiber laser can't do:

• 532 nm wavelength sits in the visible spectrum — more visible than other laser colors even at lower power levels
• Higher absorptivity than fiber lasers enables marking of materials that reflect or ignore infrared light
• Cold marking effect — marks without generating heat that can damage thin or sensitive materials
• High beam quality and stability performs well in all lighting conditions
• Soft-touch capability allows marking of gold coatings without exposing the substrate beneath

Industries That Benefit from Green Lasers

When a marking job is the hard kind, 532 nm is often what shops turn to:

• Aerospace and defense — marks aircraft components, alignment aids and targeting systems with high daylight visibility
• Electronics — marks delicate PCBs, flexible circuits and sensitive components including 2D codes on dental aligners
• Medical devices — precisely marks delicate implants, surgical instruments and minimally invasive procedure targets
• Automotive — precision cutting of metal body panels and component marking with high accuracy
• Consumer products — barcode scanners, laser pointers and laser-based measurement tools

Comparison With Fiber and UV Lasers

Transparent materials, or ones with colors a 1064 nm fiber laser skips over, will often take a green mark. Green also puts out less heat than other lasers, which matters for medical parts. It costs more than a red laser because the diodes and optics are better, but on the difficult substrates it's frequently the only thing that works.

Typical Applications

• Printed circuit boards and electronic assemblies
• Dental aligners and medical implant marking
• Precious metal marking on gold, silver and copper components
• Reflective and transparent plastics requiring permanent traceability

Related Products

EV4GDS Green Laser System • Merlin LS Software • ProStation Enclosure

Overview

Under the FDA's unique device identification (UDI) system, every medical device has to carry a human- and machine-readable code that stays legible for the life of the part. Dot peen meets that by punching the code into the surface as permanent indentations. They can't be rubbed off or worn away, and they survive autoclaving, sterilization, and years of mechanical wear.

Regulatory Standards Dot Peen Marking Satisfies

A dot peen system can be set up to hit several overlapping US and international standards for device traceability:

• FDA UDI — human-readable and machine-readable codes on device labels and directly on devices
• ISO 13485 — quality systems, biocompatibility and sterilization practices
• ISO/IEC 29158 — symbol quality for data matrix codes
• GS1 standards for healthcare traceability and supply chain management
• EU Medical Device Regulation Annex VI Part C and CE marking requirements

Why Dot Peen Is the Right Choice for Medical Devices

Because dot peen physically dents the surface, the mark holds up in ways laser and ink methods don't always manage in a medical setting:

• Marks survive autoclaving, chemical sterilization and repeated mechanical wear
• Micrometer-level precision accommodates fine-pitch serial numbers and 2D Data Matrix codes
• Works on titanium implants without compromising structural integrity
• Marks stainless steel instruments clearly without distorting surface finishes
• Adjustable speed and character sizing enables legible marks on small or irregular surfaces

Traceability and Recall Support

You can mark batch and lot numbers, manufacture dates, and location data, and feed all of it into inventory systems. When a recall or defect investigation hits, that history lets you trace the affected devices fast and keep them away from patients.

Typical Applications

• Surgical tools requiring UDI codes that survive sterilization
• Orthopedic and dental implants requiring permanent identification
• Diagnostic equipment with compliance marking requirements
• Medical assemblies needing supply chain traceability

Related Products

PINSTAMP Dot Peen Marker • TeleCom Fiber Laser • Merlin Software

Overview

Aluminum is light, tough, corrosion-resistant, and cheap, which is why it shows up everywhere from car parts to aircraft to consumer electronics. Laser engraving heats the surface to its boiling point and vaporizes it, leaving a deep mark that outlasts anything mechanical. The main thing that decides how well it turns out is matching the laser type to the job.

Laser Types for Aluminum Marking

Three laser types do most aluminum engraving, each with its own sweet spot:

• Fiber lasers — high-quality, legible markings; mark aluminum directly at various wavelengths; best for barcodes, serial numbers and data matrices
• CO2 lasers: highest-power continuous-wave, best on coated aluminum where you engrave by burning off the coating
• YAG / Vanadate lasers — use yttrium-aluminum-garnet crystals; affordable entry-level option for simple markings
• MOPA fiber lasers — adjustable pulse duration enables high-contrast black marks and corrosion-resistant annealing on aluminum

Benefits of Laser Engraving Aluminum

Against conventional mechanical marking on aluminum, laser engraving wins on a few counts:

• Precise — detailed designs repeated on various items with accurate, uniform results
• Durable — permanent marks that withstand wear and tear, chemical corrosion and fading
• Fast — automated process significantly faster than conventional engraving techniques
• Cost-effective — minimal consumables required; energy-efficient operation
• Customizable — easily change designs across different aluminum alloys and thicknesses
• Environmentally friendly — most processes do not produce hazardous fumes

Tips for Successful Aluminum Engraving

Consistent results come down to prep and setup before each run:

• Ensure the aluminum part is lying flat within the marking field with no oil or debris
• Configure appropriate cut speeds, focal point and energy density for the alloy
• Maintain laser components — keep cutting head clean and free of dust
• For anodized aluminum, adjust pulse parameters to achieve consistent black marks
• Implement AI-assisted parameter setting for automated optimization

Typical Applications

• Automotive part identification and serialization
• Aerospace data plates and component traceability
• Medical equipment lot codes, calibration details and serial numbers
• Consumer electronics casings, logos and QR codes

Related Products

TeleCom Fiber Laser • MOPA Laser System • Merlin LS Software

Overview

On its own, a marking laser usually rates Class 4, the most dangerous category, the kind that permanently damages eyes and burns skin. Put that same laser in a properly built enclosure and it drops to Class 1, and a CDRH-certified enclosure is the highest safety standard you can get. If you're putting laser marking on the floor, you need to know which features and standards apply.

Key Safety Features of CDRH Class 1 Enclosures

A CDRH Class 1 enclosure keeps anyone from being exposed to the beam during normal operation:

• Safety-rated viewing glass certified for the wavelength and optical density of the specific laser
• Interlock systems connected to a shutter that drops to block the beam when a door is opened
• Dual safety shutter circuits as a backup to prevent laser light escape during door open events
• ISO 13849 certification confirming the safety system meets functional safety requirements
• Integrated ventilation system that removes fumes directly at the laser-material interface

Choosing the Right Laser Enclosure

A few things to weigh when you're matching an enclosure to your laser and your parts:

• Material and durability — enclosure material must absorb or reflect the laser's specific wavelength
• Interlock systems — laser should only operate when the enclosure is securely closed
• Visibility and access — laser-safe viewing windows allow visual monitoring without exposure
• Ventilation and cooling — prevents overheating and removes hazardous fumes from the workspace
• Compliance with ANSI Z136 standards for the safe use of lasers

Telesis Enclosures

Telesis builds CDRH Class 1 enclosures at the top safety rating, all ISO 13849 certified. They range from manual entry-level units to fully automated production cells, including the ProStation. Depending on the build you get safety-rated viewing windows, automation conveyors, noise reduction, single-point controls, and locking castor wheels for moving it around.

Typical Applications

• Production laser marking cells requiring OSHA and ANSI Z136 compliance
• Job shop environments with varied operator exposure
• Automated manufacturing lines with conveyor-fed part handling
• High-volume marking requiring integrated ventilation and fume extraction

Related Products

Telesis ProStation Enclosure • TeleCom Fiber Laser • EV4GDS Green Laser

Overview

Traceability is being able to track a product through every step of making and shipping it, from raw material through production, distribution, and disposal. As safety rules tighten across food, aerospace, automotive, and medical device work, it's stopped being a nice-to-have and become something you have to have.

Problems Caused by Lack of Traceability

Skip marking and traceability on the line and you take on real business and safety risk:

• Product recalls — costly return requests for defective or unsafe products already in distribution
• Product counterfeiting — fake replica products reach the market when items cannot be authenticated
• Product tampering — malicious alteration of products that damages brand reputation and consumer safety
• Quality control failures — inability to standardize processes or trace defects back to their source

How Traceability Solves Manufacturing Challenges

A good traceability system shows you your suppliers, distributors, manufacturing notes, and inspection results at every point in the chain:

• Improves recall management — trace and locate products rapidly before they cause consumer harm
• Ensures compliance with ISO 9001 and industry-specific standards including aerospace and automotive
• Controls quality by monitoring every production step and identifying defect origins
• Prevents fraud through unique identifiers that allow authentication at every supply chain point
• Increases operational transparency and improves manufacturing lead times

Direct Part Marking as the Foundation of Traceability

Direct part marking is the only sure way to keep a mark readable through heavy use. Laser systems, dot peen markers, and scribe markers all lay down permanent, high-contrast marks by stamping, etching, or engraving, and each fits different materials and production volumes.

Typical Applications

• Automotive part serialization and supply chain compliance
• Medical device UDI traceability from manufacture through end of life
• Aerospace component tracking under MIL-SPEC and AS9100 requirements
• Food production and packaging traceability for recall management

Related Products

PINSTAMP Dot Peen Marker • TeleCom Fiber Laser • Merlin Software

Overview

A robot places parts fast and to tight tolerance, which makes it the cheapest reliable way to feed a marking cell. Conveyors and slide systems usually need extra steps to flip or rotate a part for multi-face marking, and they fight you on small or thin parts that have to sit exactly right. A robot puts the part where it belongs every cycle and reports back on how the mark came out.

Challenges Robots Solve in Part Marking

Conventional part-handling creates bottlenecks and quality risks that a robot clears:

• Traditional conveyors require extra steps to rotate parts for marking on multiple faces
• Small or thin parts need perfect alignment that fixed tooling cannot reliably achieve
• Manual loading introduces cycle-time variability and human error
• Robot fixtures act like precision fingers — grabbing and positioning parts identically every cycle
• Integrated cameras provide real-time feedback on mark placement and code quality

Telesis Robotic Integration Capabilities

Telesis builds Robo-Laze cells that pair its marking know-how with integration across every major robot platform:

• Compatible with all leading robot manufacturers for total system integration
• Vision-guided integration for precise positioning and mark verification
• Custom end-effectors designed for specific part geometries
• Force feedback integration adds a sense of touch to the robot for delicate parts
• Command handshaking between the robot controls and the marker so the cell runs unattended

System Integration Benefits

Both the dot peen and laser systems are built to talk to robot controls directly. The marker and the robot pass commands back and forth to set up the mark and trigger the next step, so the cell runs with little hands-on work.

Typical Applications

• High-volume automotive part marking cells with six-axis robot loading
• Medical device marking with precision robot-guided positioning
• Multi-face marking on complex parts without manual rotation
• Aerospace component marking with vision-guided quality verification

Related Products

PINSTAMP Dot Peen Marker • TeleCom Fiber Laser • Merlin Software

Overview

A laser marker is a big purchase, and keeping it maintained is what protects it and keeps the marks consistent. Dust, debris, fumes, and smoke lead to overheating and failures, so keeping the machine clean heads both off. Regular upkeep also stretches the machine's life and cuts downtime from worn parts. That goes for the two most common types, fiber and CO2 engravers.

Pre-Operation Maintenance Checklist

Run through these before you power up:

• Set laser power to at least 50% for new machines; adjust over time according to usage patterns
• Ensure proper ventilation — position the machine near exhaust vents to prevent fume accumulation
• Verify secure grounding and proper power cord connections to prevent electrical accidents
• Confirm all settings, function keys and indicators are configured correctly
• Run a test mark to verify clean, precise output before beginning production

Post-Operation Maintenance Checklist

After each use, do this so particulate doesn't build up and the next run starts clean:

• Clean the cutting head with a soft cloth to remove dust and debris
• Inspect the lens for contamination — even minor build-up reduces beam quality
• Clear fume extraction filters to maintain adequate airflow
• Check mirror alignment and beam path optics for any visible contamination
• Log operating hours to schedule preventive maintenance intervals

Environment and Safety Considerations

Where the machine sits affects both how it runs and how safe it is to run. Keep the area clean, dry, and organized, and only mark materials the manual lists as compatible. Ventilation matters most with plastics, since the fumes can be dangerous without good extraction.

Typical Applications

• Fiber laser marker maintenance in high-throughput automotive production
• CO2 laser engraver care for job shop and custom marking operations
• Medical device marking system compliance with equipment maintenance records
• Preventive maintenance scheduling for aerospace and defense marking cells

Related Products

TeleCom Fiber Laser • MOPA Laser System • ProStation Enclosure