This page introduces examples of process improvements that were obtained by installing laser markers.
Stamping/Laser Marking Characteristics
Advantages | Disadvantages | |
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Stamping characteristics |
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Laser marking characteristics |
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Comparison of Stamping and Laser Marking
Comparison details | Laser marker | Stamping |
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No missing or faint characters | Very good | Poor |
No need to perform product tooling changes | Very good | Very poor |
Marking does not fade | Very good | Very poor |
Ability to perform automatic marking for calendars and counters | Very good | Very poor |
Support for high-speed lines | Good | Poor |
Ability to perform clear marking on curved surfaces, rough surfaces, and soft parts | Very good | Acceptable |
Ability to perform clear marking of small characters | Very good | Acceptable |
Improvement from Stamping (Using Ink) on Individual Wrapping Film
The method used to mark individual wrapping film has been changed from a method using ink, such as the conventional stamping method, to contrast marking using a laser marker.
Because the materials themselves are discolored and processed, the marking is accurate and does not fade.
This enables accurate marking on products. Especially those to which substances, such as salad dressing and other oils and alcohol in the pharmaceutical industry, adhere.
Application Examples
Key Points to the Improvement
- 1Quality
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Accurate marking that does not fade due to contact with oil or alcohol is possible.
- 2Cost
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The running costs of ink ribbons and maintenance components, which increase according to the number of sheets used, are eliminated.
- 3Work efficiency
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It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work, such as tooling changes for different models and the replacement of ink ribbons, required.
- 4Environment
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The elimination of garbage such as ink ribbons contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).
Improvement from Stamping on Cartons
Laser markers are used to perform direct marking on soft cartons. This enables high-quality marking with no faint or missing characters, which improves the product image.
Marking inspections using an imaging camera and operation of stable lines with no erroneous detections are both possible.
Application Examples
Key Points to the Improvement
- 1Quality
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Stable marking is possible with no marking defects, such as missing or faint characters, even on rough surfaces.
- 2Cost
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The running costs of ink ribbons and maintenance components, which increase according to the number of sheets used, are eliminated.
- 3Work efficiency
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There is no need to stop the production line; products can be marked while they are being conveyed. The model can be switched with the touch of a button, which improves productivity.
- 4Environment
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The elimination of garbage such as ink ribbons contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).
Improvement from Roller Stamping on Cables
Direct marking can also be used on cables transferred at high speed.
With a laser marker, the surface material is colored, so the marking is accurate and does not fade.
Stable marking is possible even for small wire diameters and on rough surfaces.
Application Examples
Key Points to the Improvement
- 1Quality
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Transcription and stable marking with no marking defects is possible on high-speed lines. Accurate marking is possible even on products with rough surfaces and small wire diameters.
- 2Cost
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Detailed traceability is possible, which makes it possible to minimize damage even in the worst case.
With a laser marker, there are no running costs, which greatly reduces the overall cost.
- 3Work efficiency
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There is no need to refill the ink every few hours and the work required to change the marking details is greatly reduced.
- 4Environment
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Because no ink is used, no organic solvents are used as well, which contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).
Improvement from Using Ink on Bottles
Laser markers can be used to perform clear marking on bottles as well. Even if there are multiple models having different shapes, so long as KEYENCE's 3-Axis control laser is used, clear marking that requires no tooling changes is possible.
Because no ink is used, there are no running costs and there is no need to perform maintenance.
Application Examples
Key Points to the Improvement
- 1Quality
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3-Axis control enables stable, beautiful marking on multiple bottle shapes.
- 2Cost
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Detailed traceability is possible, which makes it possible to minimize damage even in the worst case.
With a laser marker, there are no running costs, which greatly reduces the overall cost.
- 3Work efficiency
-
The work spent to perform tooling changes and to maintain the marker can be eliminated.
- 4Environment
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Because no ink is used, no organic solvents are used as well, which contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).