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Laser marking process for vitrification of bricks and other vitrescent objects

  • US 6,064,034 A
  • Filed: 03/18/1999
  • Issued: 05/16/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of marking a surface of a vitrescent object by vitrifying said surface utilizing a laser marking system comprising:

  • providing a means for producing a continuous wave laser beam selected from the group consisting of a Nd;

    Yag laser and a CO2 laser having a laser beam width and a laser beam intensity, said laser beam producing means operating in a power range of 60-250 watts and including a collimator and a lens;

    setting said collimator to produce a beam expansion within the range of about 1.6x-1.9x whereby an optimum width laser beam is produced having a laser beam intensity in the range of about 1.6×

    105 -1.4×

    106 watts/cm2 for marking of said vitrescent object;

    providing a means for steering said laser beam along a path, said steering means being configured for localized vitrification of a vitrescent object placed in said path of the laser beam, said steering means being computer controlled for producing lettering and graphical patterns on said vitrescent object;

    placing said vitrescent object in a working area in said path of said beam;

    programming said steering means to produce a desired image on said vitrescent object; and

    activating said beam and steering means to produce said desired image on said vitrescent object to thereby vitrify a portion of the surface thereof.

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