A marking system for decorating one or more workpieces includes a plurality of marking stations that can mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof, a control system that can select one of the plurality of marking stations and send product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations, and a robotic manipulator that can transport a blank workpiece to the selected marking station under the control of the robotic manipulator. The selected marking station can mark the product image the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece. The robotic manipulator can remove the product workpiece from the selected one of the plurality of marking stations.

A method of marking an optical fiber that includes directing a laser beam onto a first colored layer of an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a core and a cladding surrounding the core, the first colored layer surrounds the cladding, and the laser beam modifies the first colored layer to form one or more laser-modified regions along an outer surface of the first colored layer.

A substrate having a first pattern formed on a surface or in an inside of the substrate, or on the surface and in the inside of the substrate, wherein the first pattern is constituted by an aggregate of second patterns.

A marking system for decorating one or more workpieces includes a plurality of marking stations that can mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof, a control system that can select one of the plurality of marking stations and send product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations, and a robotic manipulator that can transport a blank workpiece to the selected marking station under the control of the robotic manipulator. The selected marking station can mark the product image the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece. The robotic manipulator can remove the product workpiece from the selected one of the plurality of marking stations.

A method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a laser marking method for a powder compact containing metal powder, which includes: a first step of scanning with laser light of first power which is weaker over a predetermined area in a surface of the powder compact, to melt and smooth inside of the predetermined area; and a second step of scanning with laser light of second power which is greater, to form a dot formed of a recess of a predetermined depth at a predetermined location in the predetermined area.

Dental appliances, materials, and methods of forming such appliances and materials for improved laser marking are provided herein including the use of textured and/or roughened surfaces to enhance laser marking.

A method for laser-marking an iron-based sintered body includes a first step of forming with a first laser beam a plurality of dotted recesses with a predetermined depth in an identification mark area of a surface of an iron-based sintered body, and a second step of flattening with a second laser beam the surface within the identification mark area other than the dotted recesses. The first laser beam has an irradiation energy per unit area greater than an irradiation energy per unit area of the second laser beam.

A marking system for decorating one or more workpieces includes a plurality of marking stations that can mark product images on blank workpieces to produce product workpieces, at least some of which have different sizes, shapes, materials, or a combination thereof, a control system that can select one of the plurality of marking stations and send product image data to the selected one of the plurality of marking stations, and a robotic manipulator that can transport a blank workpiece to the selected marking station under the control of the robotic manipulator. The selected marking station can mark the product image the blank workpiece based on the product image data which produces a product workpiece. The robotic manipulator can remove the product workpiece from the selected one of the plurality of marking stations.

The present invention relates to a method for marking a container comprising at least a transparent wall comprising the following steps: a) applying at least one spot of ink on an outer surface of said transparent wall, b) heating said transparent wall, c) engraving a data matrix in the spot of ink of said transparent wall. The invention also relates to a marked container and to a method for identifying such a marked container.

Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.