FEATURE Coding, Marking & Labellingy


Shaping laser metal-marking


technology for diverse applications Andy Toms from TLM Laser gives examples of the different metal-marking solutions available to UK manufacturers


L


asers are capable of marking virtually all metals including stainless, high-grade and carbon steel, copper, iron, magnesium, aluminium, brass, titanium and, of course, precious metals. However, as for most manufacturing processes, there is no “one size fi ts all” solution for lasers marking metals.


Lasers mark metals by changing the appearance of the surface, and, in direct laser marking, the laser energy heats the metal surface causing it to oxidise and therefore darken to produce an indelible mark. For coated metals, such as anodised aluminium, the laser creates the mark by removing the surface layer. The type of metal being marked, and whether it is coated or not, will infl uence the choice of laser source, fi bre or CO2


.


Today, fi bre laser technology is by far the most effi cient and eff ective way to mark metals. As the UK’s partner for FOBA and Universal Laser Systems marking technologies, TLM off ers a wide selection of confi gurations to suit diff erent application requirements. Laser-marking machines, such as


FOBA’s M2000 and 3000, off er standalone laser class-1 operation. The ability to confi gure these machines with a choice of laser powers, rotary tables, axis systems and machine-vision options means that the system can be tailored to the exact needs of specifi c and sophisticated applications.


Integral part


For applications where the laser needs to be an integral part of a manufacturing system, perhaps where components are being automatically transferred from one station or process to another, FOBA’s powerful Y-Series Fiber Lasers off er a fl exible part marking solution. This series’ lasers are suited to almost all metal- processing industries and applications. These systems are capable of producing diff erent codes (QR, DMC/DataMatrix, bar), alphanumeric characters, logos and letters – all produced accurately and reliably. The Y-Series includes nine diff erent fi bre laser sources, spanning power and pulse-width ranges on one modular platform. Where space is at a premium, the new


Titus range, which off ers 20W and 30W fi bre-laser markers, are not only incredibly small, but off er simple integration, opening up new areas of application for fast direct part marking on metals and other materials. The Titus Vector Scan laser marking head is just over 20cm long, weighing just 630gr. With its small format and tubular shape, the marking head is easily mounted with a simple clamping bracket and is available with an optional supply line of up to ten meters in length. Its fl exibility is further enhanced through the option of either a straight or 90o


exit angle for


the laser beam, alongside its ability to adjust the marking fi eld size to specifi c application requirements. For applications that are predominately 2D and on fl at steel components, the


The Titus system


Universal Laser fl at-bed systems off er a production level, yet competitively-priced solution. Also available with range of laser power levels and sources (fi bre and CO2


,)


these systems are equally at home within a production environment, prototyping or research and development lab.


Changing requirements


Universal Laser Systems patented Rapid Reconfi guration technology allows users to switch laser sources to match their changing requirements, without the need for tools or specialist training. Depending upon the platform model, there are options on laser wavelength (CO2


10.6μm


Titus marking head


or 9.3μm, or fi bre 1.06μm), in addition to a choice of laser power from 10W to 500W when combining dual 250W laser sources. There is also the option for dual or multiple laser sources in certain platforms. At its core, Rapid Reconfi guration allows users to very easily install and reinstall any ULS laser source onto any ULS laser system. Because certain wavelengths and peak power levels are ideal for certain materials and applications, this feature allows for unprecedented fl exibility in laser processing.


ULS Rapid Reconfiguration Technology system


20 November 2020 | Automation CONTACT:


TLM Laser www.tlm-laser.com


automationmagazine.co.uk


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