Have you ever heard about the 80 / 20 rule? If you have ever sat in any related brainstorming sessions, you may have heard of this logic, which is presented as if it is one of our own. In some cases, we may also have declared the truth. The logic, the intrigue and the mystique that accompanies most popular of theories is the very reason this article is being written. More accurately, it is known as the Pareto’s Principle. It suggests that for several events, 80% of the effects are a result of 20% of the causes. However, this leads us to the confusion, “What does all the above have to do with a sign shop?”

The most general business-minded analysis of the theory suggests that 80% of the revenue comes from 20% of the client base. In this article, there is some insight that I would like to share regarding a common service that a sign shop can offer to its current clients, and also reinforce the 80 / 20 rule. This added service, which could be introduced to your current clients as well as the prospective ones, is laser marking using a CO2 lasermarking machine.

Over a couple of last year, laser-marking machines have grown its leaps and bounds. Lasers have become less expensive, easier to use, faster and smaller. Companies, large and small, are becoming well familiar with the lasers and their infinite abilities. Through this article, we are going to learn about industrial laser marking machines and how, a sign shop can use them to their benefit.

Laser Types

There are a number of lasers, which can be used for different purposes in industrial marking. A typical laser used by engraving shops is the carbon monoxide laser, otherwise known as a CO2 laser marking machine. This laser machine uses the carbon dioxide gas to generate a laser beam. These lasers are usually contained units with a CO2 laser tube that is enclosed.

The other kind of laser that is worthy to be considered for industrial laser marking is Nd:YAG or the fiber mark laser. While the terms may sound complex, the only thing one needs to remember is that this type of laser creates the laser beam in a different way, which makes it capable of laser marking different substrates and products. More importantly, the Nd:YAG or fiber mark lasers can commonly engrave products that a CO2 laser might find difficult. These difficult materials include various metals and plastics.

What Are Lasers Capable of?

You can easily say that sky is the limit when we talk about lasers. Throughout this article, the items that are marked using lasers will be referred to as laser engraved. Both will point out that lasers are used however; laser engraving generally means that a deeper cut is obtained on the product as opposed to laser marking that modestly scores the surface with nominal depth.

If you currently look around your office, I can assure that you will be able to find a thing or two that have been marked by a laser. Earlier, industrial marking usually involved some kind of mechanical techniques of engraving. Today, lasers are the norm in industrial marking due to their capabilities to create hi-resolution graphics at a faster rate.

In the yesteryears, I was associated with a sign shop that had me working with every machinery from computer cut vinyl illustrations to the large illumined sign cans. Therefore, I know it is true when people say that sign makers are part scientists and part artists. The same thing follows with a technician using industrial laser marking machines. Sometimes, you will find yourself making elaborate designs that are then laser cut or laser engraved. On the other side, industrialized laser engravers can find themselves marking hundreds of simple flat plates (anodized) with identification specifications and serial numbers.

The different kinds of products that can be expected to be marked by laser markers for industrial marking can be divided into the following types of substrates and materials:

·        Metal

Knives, tools, ID plates and assorted machine parts are all common kinds of metal products that are marked using industrial laser markers. The manufacturing and automotive industries all require some type of identification on their parts, and are perfect for lasers. You can also laser mark electronic pieces like iPods, decoratively.

When we talk about industrial laser marking of metals, you need to consider a few things before dealing with metals that are intended for laser marking. The biggest question you need to be answered is whether metal in question is coated or not. If the metal is coated, the laser will generally burn the existing coating and expose the surface underneath. A coated metal (anodized) is common in industrial laser marking applications due to its cost and durability. The anodized finish is best for laser marking, and provides extremely crisp and clean graphics when laser marked.

If the metal is uncoated or bare, the graphics can occasionally be muted and become almost invisible when using a CO2 laser marking machine. These uncoated metals include aluminum and stainless steel. There are also additional products that can be used in conjunction with CO2 lasers to make graphics viewable on the uncoated metals. That being said, stainless steel as an uncoated metal can be easily laser marked with Nd:YAG or a fiber mark laser without using additional applications.

Laser engravers across the state have observed a rise in demand for laser marking firearms. Manufacturers and individuals are looking at ways to rapidly identify the firearms that are easily done with laser engravers.

·        Plastic

Small signage, acrylic, promotional products and lamicoids (plastic engraved tags) are distinctive products when we talk about industrial laser marking. A huge benefit for sign shops is the laser’s ability to cut acrylic and engrave. Using a laser, you can now supply interior signage or design your own dimensional letters. A laser permits you to create a wide variety of signage that contains clean and crisp graphics. Another industrial application is the ability to make donor walls. Donor walls are artistic ways of recognizing the financial donations of donors. Often, they are over-sized and very elaborate wall plaques that combine different mediums such as vinyl, plastic, wood and metal.

When talking about marking plastics using industrial laser marking machines, a huge demand exists for marking identification on plastic parts and components. Businesses are becoming increasingly concerned with asset management, and hence require a method of engraving on expensive devices and tools such as cameras, hand-held sensors, laptops and GPS devices.

·        Glass

With minimal practice, you can laser mark glass signs to virtually stimulate sandblasted graphics. The laudable thing about laser marking of glass is that you will never face the risk of “blow-outs”. Anyone who has previous experience with sandblasting glass will know that it can be a serious challenge. Obviously, it is of some practical use to a sign shop.

·        Wood

Lasers work exceptionally well on wooden products and your would-be customers will usually be amazed with the outcome. Photos, including the gray-scale photos, can be laser engraved easily onto a number of wood substrates. Not only will you be able to create eccentric looking graphics, but you will also be able to laser cut intricately comprehensive designs. There are a few laser engravers who setup an entire business from merely cutting thin wood veneer, and then overlaying it onto a decorated surface. Using a laser, you will modify your ability to cut wood intricate wood designs, adding some stern visual impact to your signs.

·        Leather and Fabrics

Lasers are able to laser mark and laser cut fabrics. In fact, you can supply complicatedly cut designs on fabrics such as denim, cotton and polyester. Some laser companies provide a laser cutting service for apparel manufacturers. Leather is one other such product that can be laser cut and marked. Again, here the only thing that is holding you back is your imagination when deciding what can be done with your laser.

Is It Suitable For Your Sign Shop?

Do you think that adding a laser-marking machine to your product mix will suit or benefit your graphics or sign business? You may be confused about how can you get additional information on laser marking machines. Of course, you always have the internet to search for information through a number of articles and other resources. The best thing you can do is first see a laser-marking machine in action to get an idea of what the machine is capable of and what not.

One of the best ways of obtaining information is to attend an engineering trade show like The NBM Show, which is held a number of times in a year, at different venues across the country. It provides you with a chance to observe several laser marker manufacturers together, demonstrating their products, but you will also be able to familiarize yourself with hundreds of sign-related services and products.

Lasers gibe the typical sign shop a technique to enhance their sign making capabilities, but also the skill to offer more, including industrialized laser marking. Pareto might call this the 80 / 20 rule, but as an owner of a sign shop, you can offer more to your existing client base, and fascinate even more people to become your permanent customers.

HeatSign is a reputed manufacturer and supplier of a variety of laser marking machines. Our specialized marking machines range includes fiber laser markers and CO2 laser marking machines. For more information and to get the best deals, visit www.heatsign.com or  you can also email us on info@heatsign.com or call us on +86 15061477073..