Labeling

Labeling/Laser Marking Characteristics
Laser Marking vs. Labels on Electrical Appliances
Laser Markers vs. Labels on PCBs
Laser Marking Vehicle Nameplates
Improving Barcode Labels

See examples of successful processing improvements made possible by replacing labelers with laser markers.

Labeling/Laser Marking Characteristics

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Labeling characteristics	Able to display multiple details Able to support various products and materials Low initial cost Able to create highly visible displays Able to create well-designed displays	Can peel off and be peeled off Running costs increase in proportion to the amount of goods manufactured A plate must be created when changing the display details or layout Requires inventory management Generates garbage such as label backings
Laser marking characteristics	Able to mark characters that do not fade Able to mark characters on curved surfaces Able to mark characters on soft products as well Low running costs Easy to change the marking details just by making changes in the software	High initial cost Difficult to create well-designed displays

Selection according to Needs

Comparison details	Laser marker	Labeling
Amount of marking details	Good	Good
Effect of the material	Acceptable	Good
Visibility	Good	Good
Design	Acceptable	Good
Initial cost	Poor	Good
Running costs	Good	Poor
Marking durability	Good	Poor
Ease of changing marking details	Good	Poor
Inventory management hassle	Good	Poor
Environmental concerns	Good	Poor

Laser Marking vs. Labels on Electrical Appliances

Laser markers are used to mark precautions and specifications directly onto electrical appliances. Laser light discolors resin, resulting in clear marking that doesn't fade.

Electrical appliances are marked with a wide variety of information. Common examples are product specifications, product precautions and information in foreign languages for overseas sales.

1. Improvement on the Labels Used for Electrical Appliance Precautions

Application Examples

Key Laser Marking Advantages

1Quality: Clear marking that doesn't fade is possible, even when the laser marker is used for a long period of time.
2Cost: The running costs of labels, which increase according to the number of sheets used, are eliminated.; The cost of creating a plate template when changing display details is also eliminated.
3Work efficiency: Eliminate the need for tooling changes, label inventory management and plate creation.
4Environment: Eliminating waste, such as label backings, contributes to environmental health and safety.

Laser Markers vs. Labels on PCBs

Laser markers are used to mark lot numbers and 2D codes for process management directly onto PCBs. This enables accurate traceability for PCBs, which have a high component density and no space for labels.

Considering the need for thin products, laser markers also eliminate the need for extra label space.

2. Improvement from Traceability Labels on PCBs

Application Examples

Key Laser Marking Advantages

1Quality: Direct marking enables accurate traceability for PCBs, which have a high component density.
Label thickness is also eliminated in order to make products thinner.
2Cost: Increased production volume typically leads to increased label costs. Laser markers eliminate these running costs by removing the need for expensive, heat-resistant labels.
3Work efficiency: It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work—such as tooling changes for different models, label inventory management, and the creation of a plate when changing the details—required.
4Environment: The elimination of garbage such as label backings contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

Laser Marking Vehicle Nameplates

Traditional vehicle nameplates are now being created with laser markers. Laser marked nameplates provide support for multiple vehicle models and act as a countermeasure against forgery.

Laser marked nameplates halve the amount of materials required for production, which greatly reduces both costs and lead time.

3. Creation of Vehicle Nameplates Using Laser Labels

Application Examples

Key Laser Marking Advantages

1Quality: It is impossible to cleanly remove a laser marked nameplate once it has been placed onto a vehicle, which helps prevent forgery. Laser marked nameplates are also highly resistant to heat, oil and water, so they can clearly display their information for a long time.
2Cost: There's no need to create a plate for new vehicle models and languages. Simply produce what you need, when you need it.
3Work efficiency: There's no need to stop production while marking; products can be marked while being conveyed. Overall productivity also improves since the marking contents can be changed with the touch of a button.
4Environment: There is no need for an excessive inventory of labels. This makes it possible to save resources, which contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

Improving Barcode Labels

Laser markers are used to create labels on cardboard and cosmetic boxes. These packages require a wide array of data (such as shipping addresses and management numbers).

In order to correctly mark each package, it was once necessary to change the type of label affixed to the package or print multiple labels on the same box. Laser markers eliminate these problems by reducing the required number of label models and the work involved with inventory management.

4. Improvement to Barcode Labels on Cartons

Application Examples

Key Laser Marking Advantages

1Quality: The problems of affixing the wrong label and the labels peeling off are both eliminated.
2Cost: Physical label costs are greatly reduced. Consolidating label models also reduces inventory and printing costs.
3Work efficiency: It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work—such as tooling changes for different models, label inventory management, and the creation of a plate when changing the details—required.
4Environment: The elimination of garbage such as label backings contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

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