A laser marking machine is used to mark, otherwise known as engrave, text, numbers, codes and other things onto certain material. This machine is use in many industries nowadays. Some materials that can be etched are metals, plastics, ceramics, and rubber. There are different types of these machines and there are special tools that can be interchanged in the machines to allow a person to etch other materials besides the ones already mentioned. Some machines will allow etchings to be put onto glass. A laser is thermal energy. The thermal energy makes a laser beam that is capable of melting, vaporizing, and altering the surface of the material.

Some companies that sell marking machines and Laser Marking Equipment will include a computer with the each machine. Also, one can purchase a machine for marking that has the ability to cut. Many companies offer the option of having one of these machines custom made, as well.

The laser marking machine is a cost effective method for many companies. This machine uses less electricity to run, the diode lasts a lot longer (less maintenance), the unit used to laser can also cut, weld, or drill(less money spent on equipment), the machine requires less space than most business equipment, is easy to upgrade, easy to set up and easy to operate, has high speed technology for marking and cutting, and it does not put out dangerous gases.

There is one machine that is called the handheld (portable) fiber laser marking system. This particular machine can be used to do UID marking, date codes, bar codes, and time stamps. Next, there is one called the CO2 Laser Marking & Cutting Machine. This one cuts foam, lasers thin cardboard, lasers leather and cuts leather.

The price for a UID Laser marking machine will vary between manufacturers or other companies that resell them. One machine might cost approximately $20,000 and another one might cost approximately $9,000. It depends on what a company will be doing with the machine and what other equipment and software will be purchased. Some of these machines can cost a lot more than what is mentioned here.