Increasingly, the demand for both speed and quality in production and manufacturing processes is coupled with the need for sustainable manufacturing. Industries across the globe are looking for opportunities to minimise waste and chemical use, and to reduce their carbon footprint. One technology that provides the means to achieve sustainability is laser marking. Ozone laser marking machines are an excellent example of how an industrial-grade marking system can simultaneously offer precise, efficient, and environmentally conscious operation.
If you’ve ever questioned how laser marking is considered environmentally friendly or why there is a growing trend in factories moving towards using it, read on! The benefits extend well beyond the claim of “no ink, no waste.”
Why is Laser Marking Technology More Environmentally Friendly?
No Ink, No Chemicals, No Waste
There are no chemicals used in traditional methods of marking or printing, whereas ink-based printing methods rely upon ink, solvents and other chemicals for the printing process. Consequently, hazardous waste is generated, along with necessary disposal methods, and there can often be air or water pollution associated with chemical printing processes. Conversely, the Ozone laser marking machine uses a laser beam to mark the surface of the product, therefore eliminating any requirement for ink or other chemical agents to create the mark. Consequently, using the Ozone laser marking machine results in considerably less environmental impact than conventional print methods.
As a result of the process being completely light-based, there are no liquid by-products, no chemical runoffs, and no costs associated with waste disposal. Thus, companies aiming for environmental safety and “green” certification would consider laser technology to be advantageous.
Because they use less energy than other processes used to make markings on products or parts, they contribute towards more environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices.
Minimal Energy Use Compared to Chemical Processes
Chemical etching, solvent-based marking or mechanical engraving consume the most energy, water and other resources. Comparatively, when designed appropriately, laser marking can significantly reduce the energy consumption required to produce a single marking. A single concentrated beam will mark a product in seconds, while it may take minutes, hours or longer for many chemical processes.
As total volumes of production increase, the cumulative amount of energy saved will reduce the total amount of electricity used and greenhouse gas generation.
Longevity and Durability Mean Less Waste Later
The durable and long-lasting nature of laser-marked products has a hidden environmental benefit. They do not require frequent re-markings, repaintings, or relabelings, resulting in less resource consumption, less maintenance and reduced chances of the disposal of damaged goods.
Laser-marked identification on any metal, plastic, or other coated surface provides a clean and perfect identification marking for components requiring traceability.
More Accurate Marking Reduces Material Waste and Defect Rates.
Using conventional methods of marking/etching means that if the raised letters or images do not align correctly when the product is being assembled, they will need to be either re-worked or thrown away, both of which require additional resources and contribute to the definition.
Using the highly accurate Ozone Laser Marking Machine ensures the exact placement of each marking on every piece of material, drastically reducing the number of rejected products and scrap material, as well as lowering the number of times materials must be passed through re-work stations. As a result, less waste creates a smaller environmental impact by generating fewer metal/plastic waste products and less repetitive energy being expended producing those materials.
Creation of Cleaner Production Environments and Safer Workplaces.
Laser marking technology produces no toxic vapours, hazardous chemical waste products, or dust, as compared to the use of abrasive means to mark products. Using laser marking also exposes workers to no potentially harmful solvents or etching chemicals. Furthermore, there is no hazard from the runoff from the factory’s products contaminating any groundwater sources or soils.
The creation of cleaner working environments, along with the elimination or significant reduction in the number of hazardous products, is also a means of enhancing factory worker health and safety, as well as the elimination or significant reduction in factory waste disposal costs and environmental compliance.
Scalability and Sustainable Growth of All Industries
Industries that are expanding their infrastructure capacity and beginning to produce more products will increasingly find industrial-grade laser marking machines as an invaluable asset in sustainable manufacturing. The repeatability, speed, and low-resource consumption of these machines are the reasons that they are able to enable companies to significantly increase production or virtually double their output with no additional environmental impact.
Laser marking systems primarily enable companies to achieve both their business objectives and their commitments to sustainability, whether that may consist of custom-making a small number of items or producing large numbers of identical products.
Laser Marking is a Cleaner, Greener and Smarter Technology
Compliance with Regulations, Reduced Operational Costs and Environmental Corporate Responsibility. The use of laser marking technologies is not only beneficial commercially; it also helps the environment. When a supplier selects an item to use as their primary marking option in producing an item, the manufacturer of that same product will use fewer chemicals, generate less waste and utilise less energy during the production of that unit.
As a result, all industries, i.e., metals, plastics, electronics and many consumer products, benefit cumulatively from the sustainability of this process on the environmental well-being.
Reducing the Usage of Toxic Chemicals
The majority of manufacturers use marking technologies that avoid the usage or use of hazardous materials. As a result, manufacturers can eliminate the need to purchase potentially hazardous materials from a third-party supply chain and will provide better, more ethical manufacturing accountability.
Summary
By using Ozone Laser Marking Systems, through their direct material application in promoting Sustainable Manufacturing initiatives, companies and manufacturers alike will utilise less energy, produce less pollution, promote recycling of waste materials, create better jobs, and have more room for growth than other traditional production technologies.
Ozone Laser Marking Systems will provide for a clean, safe environment, promote employee safety and health, as well as the environment’s health. Ozone Laser Marking Systems will allow companies and manufacturers to meet their sustainability goals and promote the use of advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance productivity while maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.
