Laser Metal Surface Coloring for Durable High-Resolution Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coloring metal surfaces, such as ink-jet coloring, thermal transfer coloring, and metal plating, face challenges in achieving high-resolution color patterns that are durable, aesthetically pleasing, easily identifiable, and environmentally friendly, while also avoiding occupational hazards and pollution.
Innovation Solution
A laser coloring method and system that irradiates a metal surface in stages to form a metal color pattern layer with pixel units of 1 μm to 500 μm in size, using a laser source, shutter, and scanning system to create high-resolution color patterns, reducing environmental impact and occupational risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ink-jet coloring is used, then coloring can be achieved, but solvent is dispersed in the air causing air pollution and occupational injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solvent-based painting system with a laser irradiation system. This substitution eliminates the use of solvents and paints entirely, as the laser directly modifies the metal surface to create color patterns, thereby eliminating air pollution and occupational hazards associated with solvent dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the laser's thermal effect, which could potentially cause damage, into a beneficial process for creating durable color patterns. The controlled heating and oxidation from laser irradiation directly forms the color pattern on the metal surface without requiring harmful chemical solvents.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermal transfer coloring is used, then color patterns can be transferred onto metal surfaces, but the transferred pigment falls off easily due to sun exposure or friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal transfer process with direct laser irradiation. Instead of transferring pigment through heat and pressure, the laser directly modifies the metal surface to form the color pattern, creating a permanent bond that does not rely on adhesion and therefore does not fall off with sun exposure or friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser coloring process performs the coloring action directly on the metal surface before any exposure to environmental conditions. The color pattern is formed as an integral part of the metal surface through controlled oxidation and phase changes, ensuring durability from the outset rather than requiring subsequent protection.
3Measurement precision
If laser coloring is used to achieve high-resolution color patterns, then identification efficiency is improved, but heat accumulation may cause color imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed laser irradiation to color the metal surface. By using pulsed laser modes with appropriate duty cycles, heat is delivered in controlled intervals, allowing dissipation between pulses and preventing excessive heat accumulation that would cause color imperfections, while still achieving high-resolution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system focuses energy on specific local areas of the metal surface to create color patterns with high spatial resolution. The localized heating affects only the targeted regions, minimizing overall heat accumulation in the workpiece while achieving the desired high-resolution color patterns for identification purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The laser coloring method produces high-resolution color patterns on metal surfaces, enhancing identification efficiency, reducing environmental pollution, and minimizing occupational hazards, while ensuring efficient heat dissipation to prevent color imperfections.
Implementation Method 1
use the laser coloring system to irradiate the outer layer of the pattern region in stages to convert the outer layer of the pattern into a metal color pattern layer
Implementation Method 2
irradiate the outer layer of the pattern region in stages to convert the outer layer of the pattern into a metal color pattern layer
Data Source
AI summary
A laser colored product, a laser coloring method therefor, and a laser coloring system using the same are provided. The laser coloring method comprises the following steps. First, provide a processing workpiece which includes a processing part, and the processing part includes a pattern region. The processing part within the pattern region includes an inner portion and an outer layer, and the outer layer includes metal materials. Use the laser coloring system to irradiate the outer layer of the pattern region in stages to convert the outer layer of the pattern region into a metal color pattern layer. The metal color pattern layer includes metal materials or metal compounds of metal materials, and the metal color pattern layer includes a plurality of pixel units arranged in arrays, wherein each of the pixel units includes a pixel color, and each of the pixel units has a pixel width or a pixel length between 1 μm to 500 μm.