5 Laser Engraving Machine Trends for Wholesale Equipment Suppliers
Laser engraving is growing steadily. The upward trend has been on for the past few years. As a result, the global market for laser engraving machines is expected to grow at an 8.0% CAGR between 2021 and 2028.
After the brief downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is ready for the resurgence of the “laser boom.”
In this article, you will discover some of the trends that laser machine vendors and device manufacturers need to know to make better purchase and trading decisions.
Table of Contents
1. Industries that have a high demand for laser engravers
2. Regions that will acquire more laser engraving equipment
3. Types of laser engravers that will rise in demand
4. Effect of COVID-19 on the laser engraving market
5. Tech advancements in the laser engraving industry
1. Industries with High Demand for Laser Engravers
The adoption of laser engraving technology is increasing in different industries because it is reliable, economical, and unique. Laser engraving is currently one of the best tools for marking or personalizing products.
The following industries are poised to have a higher demand for various laser engraving machines:
* Electronic Devices
Engraving systems now have multiple applications in the production of electronic components. These components are mass produced and marked with automated engraving.
A good example is the engraving of components with data matrix codes and ratings. Manufacturers of circuit boards, microchips, and capacitors need high-speed laser systems to mark components during the production process.
* Medical
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the demand for engraving systems in lab and testing kit production. Due to strict regulatory requirements, medical and surgical equipment manufacturers need to mark test tubes with high precision to improve traceability and prevent test result errors.
Therefore, the demand in this sector will keep rising long after the pandemic is over.
* Apparel and Accessories
The apparel and accessories industry is experiencing a surge in demand for personalized items. More consumers request personalized accessories like handbags, purses, leather belts, and jewelry.
They want their names, initials, and pictures engraved on these clothes and jewelry. This desire for personalization will increase the demand for laser machines used for marking and customizing accessories.
* Manufacturing
Modern production processes use robots for many control and management tasks. Therefore, products will need unique identifiers.
Engraving improves production efficiency through automation of processes such as flow control, inventory control, and quality assurance.
When laser machines mark unfinished products, they don’t fade quickly. Such markings can also withstand exposure to heat and chemicals.
Using fiber laser machines for marking can even reduce marking time and improve the readability of the product marking.
According to the Grandview Research, machine tool applications have provided 25% of revenue in the laser marking sector of manufacturing. Laser systems create 2D bar codes, batch numbers, manufacturing dates, brand names, and logos on machine tools.
* Aerospace and Automotive
Predictions for the application of laser marking in the aerospace segment are positive. This market segment is expected to experience a compounded annual growth rate of 10% between 2021 and 2028.
Aircraft part makers are embracing laser marking technology because it is reliable and durable. They are gradually replacing traditional engraving processes with laser systems.
Similarly, in the automotive industry, tire laser engravers create serial numbers on tires without modifying the tire structure.
2. Regions With Growing Demand for Laser Engraving Equipment
As the laser engraving industry evolves, different regions are adopting it to boost industrial growth. The greatest demand is expected in the Asia Pacific followed by North America and Europe.
* The Asia Pacific
China and India are the principal contributors to the growth in this region. There is widespread adoption of laser marking machines by manufacturers.
Two factors are driving the market growth. First, many manufacturers, in the military and aerospace industries, are moving their factories to this region to save on production costs.
Second, Chinese machine tools manufacturers have adopted new production techniques.
* North America
In North America, the growth of laser engraving systems is propelled by the demand for customization and personalization. Allowing consumers to choose their products and have them personalized increases revenue.
* Europe
In 2020, the laser engraving market in Europe was valued at USD 750 million due to the dominance of automotive parts makers in Germany, France, Italy, and other parts of Western Europe. Significant growth in the shipping and aerospace industries will also increase market growth in this region.
3. Types of Laser Engravers that will Rise in Demand
Wholesalers, suppliers, and equipment vendors are ordering virtually all types of laser marking systems. From the simplest entry-level equipment to the more complex large format, there’s strong demand for laser systems at this time. End-users will continue to demand the following:
* Fiber Laser
Manufacturers purchase fiber laser machines to mark and engrave metal and plastic components. Fiber lasers are very popular in the electronic devices industry and the jewelry-making industry.
As the demand for electronic chips increases, the demand for efficient fiber laser markers will rise as well.
* CO2 Laser
CO2 lasers have a wider range of applications than fiber laser engravers. Businesses that need to work on different materials like fabric, paper, plastic, wood, and stone prefer CO2 laser engravers.
* Green Laser
Green laser technology is gaining traction. This relatively new technology enables users to mark items that don’t get engraved well with fiber, CO2, or YAG laser tools.
Green lasers work well on small plastic components and reflective components like copper, gold, and silver. They produce excellent results on components that need a tiny text size.
* YAG Laser
YAG laser engraving equipment is still in demand by manufacturers of metal products. Its small wavelength allows it to work faster than CO2 on metal parts. However, it is not suitable for non-metallic parts like wood, fabric, and plastic that require CO2 laser machines.
4. Effect of COVID-19 on the Laser Engraving Market
COVID-19 lockdowns in China have impacted the growth rate of the laser machine market. Chinese companies produce nearly 20% of the intermediate goods for the global economy.
However, the demand for laser marking machines continues to grow in Asia, Europe, and North America. The manufacture of laboratory and medical equipment will increase the demand for laser markers.
Similarly, continuous investment in research and development and growth in electronics manufacturing in Asia will increase demand for laser marking systems.
5. Tech Advancements in the Laser Engraving Industry
Engraving speed will continue to increase. Laser system manufacturers will create machines with wider engraving areas and faster speeds.
Green laser technology with higher frequency and shorter wavelengths will continue to thrive. These laser systems produce less heat and limit the distortion of the material during engraving.
System manufacturers will also continue to upgrade the software to meet the needs of production managers and graphic designers.
Without any doubt, the laser engraving industry is set for steady growth over the next few years. Investing in this technology as a supplier will bring in a significant ROI.
