Three Things to Consider Before You Label Sterile Packaging

Focusing on the scenario of directly laser marking aseptic packaging, the project will focus on three key areas: optimizing equipment parameters, controlling the aseptic environment, and testing the suitability of materials.He emphasized the necessity of power / speed matching tests, air cleanliness, cleaning of contact surfaces, and material aging tests. He used actual cases to illustrate how neglecting details can lead to problems in product quality, and provided practical guidance for the medical and food processing industries.

Once you have the parameters set, don't let the machine run wild.

The laser marker works directly on the sterilized packaging, and if the parameters are not set correctly, it can cause a disaster.For example, if the power is too high, it may burn through the packaging layer. If the speed is too slow, it may cause local overheating of the material.He suggests that you first try using the scraps to find the "golden combination" of power, frequency, and speed.Parameters can vary widely for different materials (such as PET or aluminum foil), and you can't just use one set of parameters for all.

The sterile environment is not just for show.

Air purification in the workshop is no joking matter.

Even if the machine does not touch the interior of the package, the microorganisms in the air may affect the sterilization effect.He suggests that the area where the labels are applied be isolated and equipped with a laminar flow purification system, with regular testing of the number of airborne microbes.

The equipment has to be kept as clean as in an operating room.

The optical head and conveyor belt, which come in direct contact with the packaging, must be wiped with medical-grade alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.Never use a cloth with fibers, as the fibers may fall off and pollute the environment.

Don't wait until a catastrophe occurs before you regret not having done materials compatibility tests.

Some packaging materials can release harmful substances when exposed to laser light, or produce an unpleasant odor.The samples are placed in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment for a week to see if they warp, leak, or undergo chemical changes.We once came across a pharmaceutical company that had failed to do this test, and found that the sealing quality of its entire batch of labeled packaging had declined, resulting in a loss of six figures.

Finally, I would like to say that you must periodically recalibrate the optical path. If the laser focus shifts by just 1 millimeter, the effect can change from a precise logo to "abstract graffiti," especially when processing a tiny UDI code.