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Boost productivity with metallic laser engraving laminates
For any business, time is money. Boosting your production efficiency is often key to remaining competitive, which is why laser engraving and cutting technology has continued to increase in popularity as a production tool. However materials also play an important part in production efficiency. Metals are common materials for many laser marking and engraving applications, including dataplates, signage and more, but is there a more cost and time efficient alternative? Read on to find out.
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Metallic laminates
A plastic engraving laminate with a metallic finish is the ideal alternative to metals for laser engraving and cutting. Trotec's TroLase Metallic and Metallic Plus engraving laminates are an example of this. Featuring an authentic top layer and a contrasting acrylic core, the sheet materials are perfect for both laser cutting and engraving. Laser engraving the material reveals the contrasting core colour, while the acrylic core allows the material to be laser cut to any size requirement with no treatment pre-processing. Metallic plus also features the benefit of being fully UV stable, allowing you to create outdoor applications with ease.
But why are metallic laminates the perfect metal alternative? Read on to find out more.
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Metallic laminates vs metals: A comparrison
Metallic laminates are not only a cost-effective solution to metal processing, they also offer unbeatable advantages that are not possible with metals. Some of the benefits include:
- Designed for laser cutting and engraving
- Thin top layer enables detailed results even at high laser engraving speeds
- Special composition reduces dust and debris when laser engraving
- TroLase Metallic/Metallic Plus will not tarnish or corrode like metals
- Suitable for UV printing
- Available in a range of thicknesses and colour combinations
Video: Laser engraving in action
In the following video you can see how TroLase Metallic Plus compares to three different types of metals. Using the Speedy 400 flexx laser engraver, we process metallic plus and anodised aluminium, followed by coated and uncoated stainless steel. Throughout the video we discuss the different stages of the process, including any pre-and post laser processing requirements followed by accurate processing times.
