Laser-Marking Technology - Esterline Interface Technologies - #4

Laser marking adds cutting edge technology to Advanced Input Systems' printing capabilities to further broaden our existing scope. Laser marking increases our dexterity in marking due to minimal reliance on key geometry and permits the ability to laser ablate backlit applications with ease. As compared with diffusion and Tampo printing, laser markings are highly durable, wear-resistant, exact,

and repeatable.

Advanced Input Systems' advanced laser-mark technology can produce a high-quality legend for your input device.

Ablation is utilized for day/night marking in which paint is applied to a surface in a multiple step process. Then the upper layer is removed via laser by means of an ablation mark type to unveil the coat of paint under­neath. Ablation is a niche application for backlit user interfaces. Such keypads have a light source illumina­tion—the laser ablates through a layer of paint, allow­ing light to traverse the key and illuminate the legend.

Color change and discoloration, mainly used in plastics, is described as the process by which the energy of the laser beam destroys or changes the structure of single molecules purposively. The color of the material changes by absorption of the laser energy above threshold energy typical of the respective process. The material may be tuned with pigments or other compounds to optimize this process. The surface of the material remains virtually unchanged.

Mark types are product and environment specific— the correct choice for your application is fundamental for success.

Engraving, etching, and foaming are not as vastly used in the user interface industry as are other mark types mentioned.

The dominant mark types utilized by Advanced Input Systems are annealing, ablation, and color change and discoloration. The features and benefits of these three mark types are as follows:

• Annealing is permanent and widely used in medical devices or within environments where the permanence

of the mark is vital.

• Ablation is similar to diffusion printing, however

superior due to its wear resistance, marking speed,

as well as marking flexibility.

• Color change and discoloration is compared with Tamp (pad) printing, yet tests show that the life of the laser mark is many times more durable than that

of traditional Tampo printing.

(Advanced Input Systems

Advanced Input Systems 600 W. Wilbur Avenue Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 USA

sales@advanced-input.com www.advanced-input.com