older technologies such as hot-stamping and pad-printing have been largely replaced in the production line with the faster marking laser station. laser engraving technology allows products of plastic and glass to be marked on the move. the laser beam is directed towards a rotating or vibrating mirror that traces out dates, expiration codes, and lot numbers onto the surface of the object being marked. mirrors on both x and y carriages ensure exact marking.

for more complicated and decorative engravings, a laser table, also called an x-y table, is used. this elaborate equipment setup guides the laser beam with greater precision. the laser, usually permanently attached to the side of the table, beams light towards a pair of movable mirrors. the entire surface of the table can be swept by the laser beam. the laser beam is focused through a lens at the surface to be engraved. intricate patterns can be traced out.

in a typical x-y table setup, the fixed laser emits light parallel to one axis of the table aimed at a mirror on the end of an adjustable rail. the beam reflects off the mirror at 45 degrees and traces a path along the length of the rail. the beam is then reflected by another mirror which, mounted to a movable trolley, directs the beam perpendicular to the original axis. two degrees of freedom, one vertical and one horizontal, are represented.