Fiber Laser Marking Systems

What are fiber laser marking systems?

Fiber laser marking systems utilize a doped optical fiber to generate a precise and focused infrared laser beam, capable of producing sharp, permanent markings on a diverse range of materials. Renowned for their accuracy, these systems can intricately mark metals, plastics, ceramics, and more.

The technology is favored for its high-speed marking capabilities, low maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency. With their robust construction, fiber laser markers are well-suited for demanding industrial environments, offering longevity and consistent performance, making them an asset for businesses in need of reliable and cost-effective marking solutions.

Why choose fiber marking systems?

Superior marking speed and efficiency

Fiber laser marking systems are engineered to cater to the rigorous demands of the industrial sector. They are adept at applying high-contrast, legible marks at ultra-fast speeds on a variety of materials including hard plastics, metals, and a plethora of industrial products. This capability ensures that even the most robust materials are marked with precision and speed, facilitating traceability and compliance with industry standards.

Durability and low maintenance

Designed with longevity in mind, fiber laser marking systems boast minimal maintenance requirements, allowing for uninterrupted operation and reducing downtime. The laser source is built to last, with life expectancies reaching up to 100,000 hours (MTBF), ensuring consistent high performance and long-term reliability. This durability translates into a high return on investment, as the need for frequent replacements or repairs is greatly diminished.

High-speed packaging operations

To accommodate the swift pace of high-speed packaging lines, fiber laser marking systems offer a range of line speeds, topping out at an impressive 900 meters per minute. This speed ensures that packaging operations can run at peak efficiency without compromising the quality or clarity of the marks, making it an ideal solution for industries where time and accuracy are of the essence.

Enhanced product throughput

Fiber laser marking systems are equipped with various marking window sizes, expanding up to 498mm wide. This feature provides more time to print on each product as it moves through the line, enhancing the marking process by allowing for larger codes or more information to be printed without slowing down production. By increasing product throughput and maximizing productivity, fiber laser marking systems help businesses scale their operations to meet growing market demands.

What materials can be marked by fiber laser marking systems?

Metals: This includes stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, and coated metals. Fiber lasers are particularly effective for metal marking due to their high-energy density, which ensures clear and permanent marks.
Plastics: Certain plastics can be marked with fiber lasers, especially those that have appropriate additives to absorb the laser energy. Examples include ABS, polycarbonate, polyamide, and many others.
Ceramics: Fiber lasers can mark ceramics with high precision, which is useful for industrial components and decorative items.
Composite Materials: Such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics, which are used in the aerospace and automotive industries.
Silicon Wafers: Used in the semiconductor industry, fiber lasers can mark with the accuracy required for traceability without damaging the delicate substrates.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of fiber laser marking can vary depending on the specific material properties and the presence of laser-friendly additives or coatings. Testing is often recommended to determine the optimal laser settings and to ensure high-quality marks for each unique application.

What should you consider when installing a fiber laser marking system

When installing a fiber laser marking system, consider the following to ensure it meets your needs and integrates well with your operations:

Material Compatibility: Ensure the system is suited to the specific materials you plan to mark and that it can achieve the desired quality.
Integration with Current Setup: Make sure the system can be integrated with existing production lines and automation systems.
Operator Training: Arrange for comprehensive training for operators and maintenance staff.
IP Configuration: Having the right Ingress Protection (IP) ratings—such as IP54 and IP65—is essential to ensure a fiber laser marking system’s durability and consistent operation. These ratings are a testament to the level of protection the fiber lasers have against environmental factors like dust and water.

An IP54 rating means that the fiber laser system is safeguarded against a significant amount of dust ingress, preventing operational interference, and it is also shielded from splashing water from any direction. This level of protection is adequate for environments with some dust and moisture presence, ensuring that the fiber laser continues to operate smoothly without being affected by these elements.

The IP65 rating, however, offers a more robust defence. It guarantees that the fiber laser system is completely sealed against dust, eliminating the risk of contamination from particulates. It also means the system can endure water jets from any angle, which is ideal for tougher industrial conditions where the equipment may face greater exposure to moisture or undergo frequent cleaning.

By carefully addressing these points, you can select a fiber laser marking system that is reliable, efficient, and a good fit for your manufacturing processes.

We always recommend that before selecting a fiber laser marking system that you speak to a professional to ensure that it is the most suitable solution for your production needs.

Fiber laser marking systems by Videojet

With marking speeds up to 2,000 characters per second, Videojet fiber laser marking systems are an ideal solution for demanding production schedules like in the pharmaceutical industry that need a laser marking system to keep pace and provide a high-level of code contrast, exceeding productivity expectations. Fiber lasers benefit from more power and speed, which provides more available mark time to achieve the best readable code on a wide range of materials.

The Videojet 7340 and 7440 are versatile fiber laser marking systems that feature the Lightfoot™ marking head, the smallest fiber laser marking head on the market, designed for simple integration, reduced installation costs, and increased range of installation opportunities. It is an ideal solution for manufacturers who have space limitations, are looking for simple integrations, or do frequent rapid changeovers while still printing high-quality, permanent codes at high production speeds.

See Videojet’s full range of fiber laser marking systems here.