Laser etch

laser etch is the practice of using lasers to etch or mark an object. The technique does not involve tool bits which contact the etch surface and wear out. This is considered an advantage over alternative etch technologies where bit heads have to be replaced regularly.
The impact of laser etch has been more pronounced for specially-designed "laserable" materials. These include polymer and novel metal alloys.
In situations where physical alteration of a surface by etch is undesirable, an alternative such as "marking" is available. This is a generic term that covers a broad spectrum of surfacing techniques including printing, hot-branding and laser bonding. In many instances, laser etch machines are able to do marking that would have been done by other processes.