Laser Engraving Services in Los Angeles, CA

Laser engraving burns or degrades materials to etch deep, permanent marks to create a specific design or image. It is a subtractive manufacturing method that involves a laser beam that acts like a chisel to incise marks by removing layers from the material’s surface.

The laser engraving machine follows a preprogrammed design from a digital file to create the etchings. Using massive energy levels, the laser contacts localized areas and generates extreme heat that evaporates or burns the surface according to the file’s image. However, precise laser engraving requires an experienced and well-equipped contractor.

At Hai Tech, we provide exceptional engraving services in LA, San Diego, Orange County, and the greater Southern California region.

What is Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving is a popular option that provides a permanent and legible marking on an object through etching, ablation, or deep laser engraving. It is similar to laser marking, but the resulting appearance differs due to the depth of laser penetration. Laser engraving vaporizes a small amount of material with pulses of high heat light, quickly creating a cavity that provides texture with a sharp and contrasting appearance.

Laser engraving can reach depths of 0.125 inches in material like graphite but is limited to 0.020 inches in metals, making it ideal for parts that may become worn but not for parts where safety is crucial. 

Laser engraving is commonly used to create permanent serial markings on substrates made of:

  • Metal
  • Wood
  • Plastic
  • Leather

Benefits of Laser Engraving Over Traditional Processes

Compared to manual engraving, our laser engraving services in Los Angeles offer the following advantages:

  • Minimally Invasive: Laser engraving can be performed at a range of depths without any direct contact at all. Surface marks can even be done on stainless steel with no depth. Overall, lasers are less damaging than manual engraving and keep the substrate material’s physical integrity intact. 
  • Precise: Lasers provide a level of control that’s impossible to achieve manually. Compared to hand-engraving, the process is swift, clean, and highly repeatable, with little room for human error. 
  • Versatile: A single laser engraving machine can be used to create a host of different designs with only minimal calibration. They can also produce exceptionally complex patterns.
  • Affordable: On average, laser devices last longer than other engraving machines and require less maintenance, resulting in savings that can be passed along to the consumer.
  • Fast: Lasers can be programmed to render virtually any design in a matter of moments. Because the process is automated, it’s easy to scale production runs as needed according to demand.
  • Long-Lasting: Laser-engraved designs are permanent but can wear over time, depending on the substrate material that’s used. Soft metals, for example, may experience more signs of wear than hardwood. In general, however, laser-engraved designs tend to have a longer lifespan compared to other engraving methods.

Applications of Hai Tech Lasers, Inc.’ Laser Engraving Systems

At Hai Tech, our laser engraving Los Angeles services are also a practical solution for business-to-business applications. Below is a list of the common laser-engraving applications:

Awards and Trophies

We use laser engraving to create precise, easy-to-read, shaped etching directly onto the surfaces of plaques, signs, business awards, and commemorative plates. Laser engraving is a more durable, long-lasting marking method compared to embossing, staining, or painting.

Barcode Creation

At Hai Tech Lasers, we provide high-quality engraving that protects barcodes from eventual wear despite heavy usage. We engrave production codes, ID matrix codes, serial numbers, part numbers, and lot numbers.

Personalization

With our laser engraving Orange County services, you can add a personal touch to ordinary gifts. We can personalize tools, jewelry, company logos, high-end promotional products, wedding invitations, albums, and picture frames. 

Medical and Electronic Components

With our laser engraving services in Los Angeles, we ensure that electronic and medical components remain identifiable, to minimize errors and confusion in high-stress environments like the medical field. We engrave medical instruments, electronic devices, electronic covers and plates, and surgical tools and equipment.

Types of Materials that We Can Laser Engrave

Most materials can be laser engraved, as long as they can be exposed to heat. It’s even possible to engrave many types of fabric using a laser, even though they’re not typically conducive to traditional engraving methods. 

Certain surfaces, however, reveal greater contrast and are less likely to wear or tarnish. Here are some of the most popular substrate materials that can be engraved with lasers: 

Metal

Depending on the amount of material needing removal, engraving metal leaves a prominent marking on the surface. The material evaporates, and color changes during the removal. Examples of metal compatible with engraving processes include:

  • Steel 
  • Brass
  • Aluminum
  • Titanium
  • Stainless steel
  • Tungsten. 

Plastic

Engraving leaves a permanent mark on your plastic quickly by reacting with the chemicals in the plastic to create colored marks. Engravable plastics include:

  • Polyamide
  • Acetals
  • Polyethylene
  • Acrylic.

Wood 

We can also engrave different types of wood for various applications. Such include:

  • Cork 
  • Plywood
  • Chipboard
  • Solid wood, solid timber
  • Natural wood, real wood.

Fabric and Leather

Leather laser engraving can be done with natural and synthetic options. Quality laser engraving can work on nubuck leather, synthetic fabric/leather, or suede fabric/leather. 

Differences Between Laser Engraving and Laser Marking

The major difference between laser marking and laser engraving is the amount of material lost in the process and the depth of laser penetration. Unlike the quick, high heat laser engraving process, laser marking is a slow, low energy, low temperature process that discolors the surface of the object without leaving a notable texture.

Precision Laser Engraving Services in Los Angeles, CA from Hai Tech Lasers

Are you looking for high-precision laser engraving services? At our Santa Clarita facility, we have an assortment of laser engraving machines capable of operating on a wide range of materials, including fragile surfaces. We are the most trusted and reliable service provider for laser marking and engraving in San Diego and Los Angeles, with over three decades of experience. Request a quote for more information about our laser engraving services. 

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