Influence of laser parameters on quality of laser direct marked data matrix symbols on aluminum alloy

WU Yu-song, Li Jian-mei, LU Chang-hou, ZHANG Jin-qi, LI Jin-rui

(Key Laboratory of High-efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture,  Mechamical Engineering of Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

Abstract: Aiming at obtaining highquality laser direct marking Data Matrix (DM) barcodes on aluminum alloy surface, several singlefactor experiments were carried out on 6061 aluminum alloy sheets used a YAG-T80C laser. The action principle of processing parameters (current intensity, laser scanning speed) with the surface roughness of DM barcodes was analyzed. Based on the experimental results, the effects of current intensity and laser scanning speed on the barcodes′ surface roughness were studied, the relationship between the surface roughness and the color and final grades of the DM barcodes was discovered. The results indicate that the laser processing parameters have significant effects on the processing quality of the data matrix symbols. Larger current intensity or slower laser scanning speed can produce a higher value of surface roughness. With the increase of DM barcodes′ surface roughness, the color of barcodes appears from white to dark. In addition, there is a certain relationship between surface roughness and the final grades of the data matrix barcodes. Those barcodes with higher surface roughness get higher quality grades and be identified more easily.

Key words: laser marking; two dimensional barcode; aluminum alloy; surface roughness