in a simplified perspective view in fig1 and in top plan view in fig2 the apparatus 10 comprises an emitter housing 12 comprising a housing having top bottom side and end walls as illustrated a marking head 14 is pivotally mounted on a side wall of the emitter housing a laser source of conventional design that is capable of emitting a beam to which the surface being etched is not transparent and the associated electronics in support thereof are disposed in the emitter housing 12 the laser and associated electronics are connected to a suitable power source not shown an eximer or co2 laser is preferred for use in the present invention because the emission of these lasers is particularly suited for etching oxide containing surfaces such as glass anodized aluminum ceramic oxides and the like in particular glass is not transparent to the co2 beam so that the laser 18 is able to etch the glass surface the emissions from other types of lasers will not etch glass because glass is transparent to the emission beam of such lasers and the beam passes through the glass without etching the surface the marking head 14 may be mounted on the top bottom or either of the side walls of the emitter housing in the embodiment illustrated in fig1 and 3 a portion of one side wall adjacent the.