Solutions to Common Problems in Food Packaging Labeling

The system provides practical solutions to the problems of blurred markings, material damage, and low efficiency that are commonly encountered in the laser marking of food packaging.The training covers laser parameter adjustments, material selection, and equipment maintenance and repair, and helps clients quickly solve real-world problems and improve marking results and efficiency.

Why is the marking unclear after the process?

The most worrisome problem with laser marking is that the printed letters or patterns are often blurred, and this is particularly true in the case of food packaging, where labeling requirements are high.Don't panic, let's try to find out why.

Check that the laser beam is focused accurately.

If the focal length is incorrect, it's like a nearsighted person trying to work without glasses--everything will be blurred. It is recommended that you do a trial run first, using scraps of material and repeatedly adjusting the focal length until you get the best results.If you want to use the machine for curved surfaces, be sure to select a dynamic focus system.

Optimize power and speed parameters.

If the power is too high, the material will burn; if too low, the color won't take.For PET plastic packaging, you can try a combination of low power and multiple scans, which will guarantee clarity and avoid penetration of the packaging layer.

Clean the surface of the material.

Have you ever had a label suddenly appear with a zebra-like pattern? That's probably because the packaging film has oil stains or water droplets.Wipe it gently with a lint-free cloth dipped in alcohol and the problem is solved!

What if the material is damaged during the process?

Especially thin plastic bags can be pierced by the laser beam with the slightest carelessness.In this situation, don't rush to adjust the power. First check these two things:

Confirming the heat resistance of materials.

For example, when using PP materials to make stand-up bags, it is recommended to first use scraps to test the temperature.If slight deformation is detected, try reducing the frequency from 20 kHz to 15 kHz. The cooling effect will be obvious.

Select progressive scan mode.

Continuous full-power scanning would be like ironing a plastic bag. Instead, they used a segmented line-by-line scanning method, allowing the material time to cool off in between.A case study of a certain brand of nuts showed that the damage rate dropped directly from 12 % to 0.3 %.

How can the efficiency of the marking process be improved?

When orders surge during peak season, efficiency is the key to survival.

Batch parameters are preset.

Parameters for commonly used packaging materials (such as aluminum foil, composite film, paper boxes) can be stored in a template.One food factory reduced the time it took to change a production line from 15 minutes to 30 seconds.

Using GPS to advantage.

Manual alignment is time-consuming and prone to error.With the addition of a visual positioning module, even non-standard packaging (such as an oval-shaped cookie box) can be located within a second.

Regularly maintain the optical lenses.

Don't underestimate the importance of cleaning the lens! Cleaning it once a month with a special cleaning solution can reduce the loss of laser energy by 40 %, and naturally speed up the marking process.

How do you handle equipment that gives off frequent alarms?

When your equipment "goes on strike," don't rush to call the manufacturer's after-sales service; first check these three places.

Check the cooling system.

The high temperatures in the workshop in summer can cause the cooling fans to become clogged with dust, which can trigger the overheating protection mechanism.One customer cleaned his fan with a compressed-air gun and reduced the number of alarms per day from three to one per week.

Lubrication and maintenance of the guide rails.

A rail without oil is like a bicycle chain that's rusted.It is recommended that the special oil be added every 500 hours, which will greatly reduce the noise from moving parts.

Power source stability test.

If the voltage fluctuates more than ± 10 %, the protective mechanism is triggered.Try using a voltage stabilizer; especially during the rainy season, this is money you can't afford to save!