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Laser marking and welding | additives Lasers make their mark


Laser marking is a now a well-established technology for identifying and coding plastic items in the wire and cable, packaging, medical device and automotive component industries. It offers a whole host of attrac- tions over alternative printing and marking options: it is fast, non-contacting and digitally-driven allowing simple placement of sequential identifiers. It is also perma- nent. The use of a laser beam to activate an additive embedded in the polymer itself creates a durable and abrasion-resistant marking. And with a growing focus being placed on traceability – a focus likely to intensify if Industry 4.0 “smart factory” production takes off as many predict – laser marking looks set to become an increasingly common demand. Laser welding is also gaining ground, as manufacturers exploit the benefits of improved geometrical freedom and weld control. There are two main factors driving new additives for laser marking applications, according to Scott Sabreen, President of The Sabreen Group – an engineering consultancy specialising in secondary plastics process- ing manufacturing. “Firstly, health and regulatory agencies, as well as corporations, request heavy metal-free chemistry and FDA/EU compliance. Compounds such as antimony (oxide) are no longer desirable or acceptable. Undercap laser marking of linerless beverage closures is an excellent example,


www.compoundingworld.com


Additive technologies are improving the quality and efficiency of laser marking and welding of plastics. Mark Holmes discovers that


advances are widening the field of applications


whereby historically low levels of antimony were allowed by the industry. Now, the premier beverage corporations, including water and juices, self-regulate toward healthy and eco-friendly packaging,” he says. “Secondly, traditionally additive costs have been too expensive. As patents have expired and new chemical speciality companies emerge, competition has driven costs downward and additives have now become more affordable.” Sabreen says that in many industrial applications


that require permanent laser marking, the additives incorporated into the resin-colorant produce vivid, high contrast results but the limiting factor is frequently marking speed. He cites the example of industrial wire and cable products that are extruded at linear line speeds of 2,000 feet per minute (610 metres/minute) and faster, where marking is limited by the laser scan-head galvanometers rather than the additive


February 2017 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 65


Main image: Lasers are


increasingly being used in plastics


marking and welding


applications


PHOTO: POLYONE


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