Five Key Points for Laser Marking Machines

The integration of the laser marking machine directly affects production efficiency and product quality.This article will explain the five key points to consider when integrating laser marking systems, including equipment selection, system compatibility, and stability optimization, to help you avoid common pitfalls and realize a high-performance, low-cost automation upgrade.

Equipment selection: Don't just look at the specs.

Many people are easily attracted by high-power, high-speed advertising, but the actual selection of a model must be based on a clear understanding of one's production needs.For example, the requirements for marking precision and speed are completely different for food packaging lines and automobile parts lines.

First, let's look at the balance between accuracy and speed.

The precision of a precision electronic component may be 0.01 mm, but a general metal part with a precision of 0.1 mm can increase productivity by 20 %, "he says.They suggest that consumers should test the product before relying on the manufacturer's specifications.

The materials were gender-specific.

Some machines are very good at cutting metal, but when they come across plastic or ceramic they "go on strike.Make sure that all the parts on the production line are compatible, and don't wait until they are installed to find out that you need to buy extra parts.

Interface problems can slow down the whole process.

The biggest problem with installing new equipment on an old production line is that the new equipment may not fit in.One plant experienced a three-day line shutdown when a labeler and PLC couldn't communicate properly.

Communication protocols have to be established in advance.

Most mainstream equipment support the Profinet and EtherCAT protocols, but some domestic equipment still uses Modbus.Preparing in advance to switch modules can save a lot of trouble.

Software compatibility testing.

Don't assume that installing a driver is all that is necessary, and I suggest running three days of stability tests with actual production data.We've had cases where the customer's software has conflicted with the printer's, causing the printed content to be jumbled.

Optimizing stability: These details make all the difference.

The workshop environment is much more complicated than that of a laboratory.

Dust and heat protection.

Another common cause of failure is dust entering the cooling fan of the laser.After installing a dust filter, the failure rate at one car parts factory dropped by 60 %.

Don't compromise on power quality.

If there is a lot of fluctuation in the voltage in the workshop, then you have to install a voltage stabilizer--don't try to cut corners here.Once a customer of ours burned out a laser module because of an unstable voltage. The repair bill was enough to buy half a new machine.

Hidden costs.

If you buy equipment thinking it's cheap, you may find yourself crying in the workshop later on.The price of consumables and the response time for repairs should be written into the contract.

The lifespan of the consumables.

The difference in lifespan between different brands of laser can be as much as three times. If we assume 20 hours of work per day, the difference in cost over a two-year period can be tens of thousands of NT dollars.

Local service capability.

If you have to wait for a technician to come from out of town to make an emergency repair, that's too much of a hassle! Better to choose a brand that has a local service point, even if it's 10 % more expensive.

Upgrading space: Leaving a way out for the future.

That we have enough now doesn't mean we will always have enough.A certain electronics factory bought some equipment three years ago which now requires visual inspection capabilities. It was discovered that there was no interface for expansion.

Advantages of modularization

The company can also upgrade individual components, such as laser heads or control systems.Check to see if the equipment has expansion slots.

Software support and upgrades.

Find out if the manufacturer provides lifetime software upgrades.Some of the older equipment does not support the new file formats, forcing workers to manually convert them, which cuts efficiency in half.