Feature Coding, Marking & Labelling Opening the door to new markets
SR650 cameras. This has been spe- cially designed to hold the laser upside down - however, this brought its own problems, namely keeping the laser clean for the highly precise marking required. Electrox overcame this with the addition of carefully positioned air knives, which ensure dust generated from the tooling being marked never comes into contact with the laser.
Electrox has provided a custom designed laser solution to Brandauer, a Birmingham-based precision engineering firm. A bespoke Scorpion Rapide laser has been commissioned for integrated inline component identification, while a stand alone Raptor laser provides offline process development to support Brandauer’s move into the power generation sector
randauer specialises in the supply of specialist metal stampings and progression tool- ing, and has already invested more than £750,000 on two new high speed Bruderer presses to allow it to accommodate larger modular tools with more complex operations. However, the company also needed to be able to undertake preci- sion permanent marking to ensure the traceability of components. Brandauer had originally been work- ing with a laser marking competitor, but at the eleventh hour it withdrew its presence in the UK. This left the pressing specialist with the prospect of either having no back-up for such a large project or starting the whole marking specification process again. This is where Electrox stepped in and after examining Brandauer’s requirements, the company con- firmed that it would be able to pro- vide an equivalent bespoke laser solution within the shortened timescale available.
B Speaking about the Electrox lasers, 26
Above: a custom designed laser solution has enabled Birmingham
precision engineering firm, Brandauer, to expand into a new market sector
Rowan Crozier, sales and marketing director at Brandauer, said, “When our original equipment supplier pulled out of the UK, we were very concerned that we could only have the lasers without the local after market support. After an immediate re-review of alternative providers in the UK we were very happy to be referred to Electrox who quickly established that they could deliver the high spec custom designed lasers, with the vital after sales sup- port we needed.
“They were fantastic throughout every stage of the process from the specification, to trials and final pro- duction - they quickly stepped up to the mark, provided a very competi- tive package and worked to an extremely tight deadline to get us up and running.”
Custom made
The result is a bespoke automated marker/reader, which features a custom workstation to house a Scorpion Rapide and two Keyence
Brandauer specified the Scorpion Rapide because its optic fibre laser offers precision marking on metal and plastics. It is now used to sequentially mark a 2D data matrix code on thin gauge (0.1mm) stainless steel strip. The process is completely automated allowing marking of more than 20 million parts per annum to be undertaken. Furthermore, the workstation has been designed to fulfil poka yoke failsafes, ensuring marks are not only present but also readable, providing safe shut down and containment within the process. This is complemented by a Raptor laser with a stand alone D-Box work- station, which is used to create cus- tomer specific 2D traceability codes on specialist power generation prod- ucts and bespoke components for low volume and prototype applica- tions. Since taking delivery of the machine Brandauer has developed a customer friendly standard pricing matrix for bespoke laser marking.
Meeting specifications
“Both lasers meet our customers’ exacting requirements, allowing us to achieve the new traceability specifica- tions now being demanded by a number of our new sector customers,” added Crozier. “We are delighted with the two Electrox lasers and would def- initely recommend them to anyone looking for a bespoke precision mark- ing solution.”
Peter Ramsden, sales director at Electrox, added, “We were delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Brandauer - a renowned market leader. We worked closely with their team to create a tailor made solution and are pleased that this has helped them enter a new sector.”
As well as providing the bespoke lasers and workstations, Electrox will provide a full after sales service including a comprehensive warranty and customer care plan.
Electrox
www.electrox.com T: 01462 472 400
Enter 208 APRIL 2013 Automation
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