A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Laser Marking Solution

This article looks at the application of laser marking to a production line that produces one million items per year, analyzing the costs and long-term benefits.By comparing the traditional method of marking with laser marking in terms of machine choice, operation and maintenance, and efficiency, production managers can quickly determine the true value of laser marking for production capacity upgrades.

Why is laser marking the new darling of production line upgrades?

Laser engraving equipment is becoming increasingly popular among production managers.Compared to traditional ink jet printing or mechanical marking, laser marking has three distinct advantages for high-volume production lines: marking speeds can be three times faster, maintenance costs can be cut by 60 %, and there is no need to worry about consumables procurement.The pace of adoption of laser marking technology has been especially high in industries like food packaging and electronics, where precision is a must.

Calculating the laser investment.

How to spread out the initial procurement costs.

The price of the equipment ranges from NT $ 200,000 to NT $ 500,000, which may seem a little scary at first, but you have to look at the dynamic payback period.For example, a production line that produces one million parts per year used to spend NT $ 8000 per month on ink and molds, but this cost is now zero with the laser marking system.Add to this the savings in time from changing molds, and most companies can recoup their investment in 14-18 months.

Beware of hidden costs.

Be wary of cheap equipment! Some manufacturers may offer an attractive price for the machine alone, but the price of the dust removal system and special jigs will be extra.It is recommended that you ask whether the price includes installation and adjustment, operation training and a two-year warranty for core components.

The long-term benefits are visible.

The secret of high-quality production.

The auto parts factory we visited last week was a typical case.After switching to fiber laser marking, the return rate due to blurry ink dropped from 1.2 % to below 0.3 %.The retention rate of the markings on metal parts in a high-temperature environment has jumped from 85 % to 99 %.

The potential of flexible production.

It is at these times that a company's true colors are seen.Before, a toy factory received a last-minute order from Disney and the traditional molds just couldn't keep up.The result was that the company's laser equipment finished programming the new design the same day, and the next day it was in production. In the rapidly changing market environment of today, this flexibility is a huge advantage.

A guide to choosing a model.

Don't pay for excess performance.

He has seen too many companies blindly pursue high-powered equipment, only to use it at 80 % of capacity.In fact, a 30-watt fiber laser is sufficient for most metal parts, and only special materials require a 50-watt or higher configuration.Remember to bring samples to test in the field, don't just look at the parameters.

After-sales service is more important than price.

Last year, a local electronics factory got burned because it wanted to save money by using a supplier from outside the area. When the machinery broke down, it took five days to get the repair crew there, and the orders they lost during that time cost them more than the difference in price of the equipment.They recommend giving preference to local suppliers who can provide services within four hours.