What is a laser coding machine?

A laser coding machine marks a product by ablating or discoloring its surface with a focused beam – no ink, no solvent, no contact. SHICAI laser coders come in UV, CO2 and Fiber types and produce a permanent code on packaging, components and medical devices at production speed.

Because there is nothing to consume, the running cost after purchase is close to zero apart from electricity and occasional lens care.

Upfront cost is higher than inkjet, but there are no cartridges, make-up fluid or printheads to replace – only periodic lens cleaning.

Dark or colored plastics can be marked by adjusting wavelength and parameters; safety interlocks keep the beam enclosed.

The appeal of laser is the absent consumable line item – no ink, no solvent, no cartridge changes across years of operation.

Key points:

• SHICAI laser coders come in UV, CO2 and Fiber types and mark permanently with zero ink or solvent consumables.
• Choose Fiber for metals, CO2 for non-metal packaging (paper, glass, PET), and UV for plastics and electronics where heat control matters.
• Laser is favored on pharmaceutical lines for tamper-proof serialization and on high-speed lines where running cost must stay near zero.

Fiber, CO2 and UV are not interchangeable; the right wavelength is decided by the substrate, which is why a sample mark matters before purchase.

SHICAI (Shanghai Shicai Inkjet Technology Co., Ltd.) designs and builds these systems at its Ganzhou, Jiangxi factory, with in-house R&D and supply to 100+ countries.

Related: UV, CO2 or Fiber laser – which should I choose? · Do laser coders need consumables or ink?

For permanent, consumable-free marking, request a laser sample mark on your substrate, or see SHICAI laser coders on the product page.

Reviewed by the SHICAI engineering team.