Barcoding, laBelling & Packaging


and to meet the expectation of consumers, not just for products but in the way they experience their favourite brands. this includes the way that products are marked and packaged. this drive for perfection has led to the growing


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application of lasers in the precision marking, cutting and coding of products and packaging – whether for a high volume fMcg business coding 125,000 beverage cans per hour or a high-end cosmetics brand precision-engraving iconic names and logos on lipsticks. Whatever the application, central to the


productivity proposition for manufacturers is a fume and dust extraction system. these systems, such as those produced by Bofa international, help keep workplace environments free from potentially harmful airborne contaminants and capture particulate that might otherwise create debris around key equipment and impact on product quality. in the case of laser processes, the generated airborne contaminants can be solid particles, liquid droplets, vapours or gases, which can be hazardous to respiratory function because of particle size and chemical composition. Particles in the two to three micron range are of particular concern, because these can penetrate deeper into the lung region, and because particles smaller than 30 microns are not normally visible to the human eye, they present a danger hidden from sight that can only be removed through effective fume extraction. Bofa systems are found in a variety of packaging settings, from high speed laser coding of cans to the precision cutting of complex cardboard shapes and labels. in food manufacture, for example, lasering is


used to create high-quality shapes or messages on a variety of products – including yoghurt tops - by cutting through a thin surface covering to expose a foil substrate. extraction technology ensures that the laser remains clear of any debris during the process to ensure the high resolution of the code or mark can be preserved. in cosmetics, lasering enables manufacturers


to engrave highly detailed product names and logos directly to a variety of products, including lipsticks, at very high speed, thereby ensuring the packaging reflects the core values of leading brands. effective extraction ensures that the dust emitted by the process does not interrupt the laser beam, which would distort the visual finish. the driver, of course, is increased productivity, enabled by a new generation of high efficiency fibre lasers that can ablate metal with accuracy at very high speed. however, higher line


speeds also mean greater potential dispersal of particulate, including


22 May 2021 | factory&handlingSolUtionS


peed of production and quality of output are vital in the coding of packaging and labelling both to optimise investment in technology


SatiSfying the need for SPeed in laSer extraction


nanoparticles, both at the laser source and over extended areas of the production line as a result of ambient airflow entrainment created by the high-speed process. as a result, advanced extraction systems are


fundamental to removing particulate and helping ensure a safe working environment, in accordance with mandated workplace exposure levels. Bofa has extensive in-house engineering and scientific expertise to help manage these risks by offering designs utilising innovative system geometry and optimised airflow, coupled with multi-stage filtration. this architecture is a key enabler in delivering the productivity benefits associated with faster operations while at the same time safeguarding laser resolution and accuracy by keeping lines free from contamination. geoff Sagar, business development


manager for laser systems at Bofa comments: “the flexibility of our systems – and our wide range of product architectures – makes them perfectly suited to high speed environments where particulate momentum makes fume and dust capture more complex and challenging. “however, our engineers and


technicians are experts in modelling the potential airborne contaminant spread of each process and can then advise on the necessary system elements and optimal positioning of our portable technology to contribute to compliant health protection while helping deliver


contaminant-free process lines.” Manufacturers in the laser industry need


support to identify the most appropriate dust and fume extraction technology that is best suited to their manufacturing processes. demand is growing for portable systems that support the agile manufacturing strategies being widely adopted to enhance flexibility and productivity. Many laser lines specify systems such as


Bofa’s ad 1000 iQ technology which combines larger filter capacity with high airflow and pressure rates. reverse flow air technology also reduces larger particulate velocity so that it falls into a drop out chamber which, along with variable air flow control, optimises the lifecycle of the pre-filter, hePa and activated carbon filter stages. laser technology has certainly moved on


apace over the last 60 years, both in terms of higher speeds and greater coding, marking and cutting accuracy. the technology driving these speeds can increase operating temperatures in some processes, and while the risk of thermal events is small, Bofa has also developed technologies to help mitigate the potential for adverse thermal events to protect operations that can run 24/7 all year round. for these applications, Bofa systems


incorporate fire-resistant casings and filters and triple thermal cut-out protection, along with fire mitigating inline filters such as the Spark arrestor 2 and fireBoxes (with extinguishers) to manage risks associated with incandescent particulate transported in fast moving operations.


BOFA International bofainternational.com/en/


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