Application Note: Glass Marking Techniques Using CO2 Lasers

Glass manufacturers and fabricators have long expressed interest in C02 lasers for marking serial numbers, logos, and codes on automotive glass, medical devices, windows, and electronic parts. The problem, until recently, though, was that C02 lasers typically produced highly fractured marks on most glass types. New techniques have made it possible to produce crisp, high quality marks directly on glass with sealed C02 lasers, making them an attractive alternative to traditional glass marking methods and expensive solid-state laser solutions. A 25-watt C02 laser provides sufficient power for most glass marking applications.

By definition, C02 lasers mark glass by fracturing its surface, so in all cases, a certain amount of fracturing of the material is necessary. Excessive fracturing, however, can result in difficulties with readability, potential weakening of the material, and most notably, the formation of loose chips. These problems can be eliminated by carefully controlling the amount of fracture that takes place during the marking process.