Foaming

A laser processing method which laser is used to create marking on dark plastics material. During this process, it will melt  the material where gas bubbles are formed and embedded securely when the material cools down. The foam-like bubbles  change the light refraction properties of the material and make the processed locations appear lighter in colour than the  surrounding material.

PROFESSIONAL LASER FOAMING SERVICES IN SINGAPORE

Best applied on plastics that contain solid or darker colouration. During the process, the laser pointed plastic material  reacts to the heat of the laser and bubbles up. This creates a foaming effect of light versus dark contrast between the  lasered and non-lasered areas. Due to the different light refractive index, the laser foamed parts stand out from the  surrounding area. This discolouration depends on the plastics composition and the additive components, where dark  plastics will turn lighter in colour, while lighter colour plastics will turn grey or black.

The effectiveness of this application also depends on the type of plastic and their various raw materials, colour pigments  and additives which will react very differently under the laser source. Therefore, it is advisable to always test a material  sample.

BENEFITS OF LASER FOAMING

✓ No direct contact marking, fast, low heat, abrasion and chemical-free process.

✓ It is permanent and very resistant to abrasion.

✓ It enables precision marking on product’s parts with their reference numbers and other important manufacturing  information.

✓ The laser technology makes it possible to achieve the finest motifs with maximum precision. Virtually everything  that can be drawn can be engraved and marked using a laser.

APPLICATION – ACHIEVE SYSTEMATIC AND BOLD APPROACH WITH FOAMING

Laser foaming is commonly used in packaging materials, aerospace, automotive, building and construction, electronics,  medical and plastics industries. For examples, packaging and identification tags, medical equipment, automotive parts,  printed circuit board, keyboards, electronic components, switches casings, films, tooling parts and many more.

DISCLAIMER ON LASER’S SUITABILITY WITH PLASTICS

An important disclaimer that is useful to know is not all plastics types are recommended for laser application procedures.  The thermal process creates hydrochloric acid and other harmful substances that produces dangerous gases or dust. Hence,  it is advisable not to use laser applications on PVC to prevent premature degradation of the laser equipment, and also in  maintaining the work safety and health of the personnel in operation.

Materials you should not process with a laser are namely the following:

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) (Laser processing produces dioxin!)
• Carbon Fibers (Carbon)
• Polyvinyl butyrale (PVB)
• Polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE / Teflon)
• Beryllium Oxide
• Other materials containing halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine (eg flame-retardant material), iodine and astatine),  epoxy or phenolic resins.

Thinking if this is the right laser service you need? We are just a click away! Get in touch with our friendly staff to see how  we can assist you.

MAKE AND ENQUIRY

We are always on hand to have an informal chat about what you need, so please do not hesitate to speak with our team by  calling +65 6743 6707 or sending an email to info@finmarklaser.com.

You can also drop us an enquiry via our contact form by simply click on the ‘Contact Us’ button below, fill in your questions  and contact details and send the form to us. We look forward to serve and value-add to your lasering needs!