Laser technology | Precise cuts and markings

WERKSTOFFE + VERFAHREN

Details: Released: 22.07.2020; Last updated: 16.08.2024; Hits: 6833

Laser technology The industry has a precise and efficient material processing. Laser marker for permanent markings, while Ultrashort pulse laser produce extremely fine cuts in the femtosecond range. These technologies offer high precision and flexibility, making them indispensable for a wide range of manufacturing and production applications.

hailtec

Content

Lifting cylinder unit for synchronous pallet changer in laser cutting system
Ultrashort pulse laser makes QR codes in plastic scannable
Ultrashort pulse laser ablation for high-precision materials
Laser markers for metal and plastic with traceability
Highly efficient short pulse laser marker for faster markings
3D Laser improves housing and control cabinet processing
Foam laser technology from Arpro to a depth of 1,5 mm

Lifting cylinder unit for synchronous pallet changer in laser cutting system

16.08.2024 | The synchronous movement of all lifting cylinders is crucial for the precise lifting and lowering of pallet changers in laser cutting systems. Hawe Hydraulics With the decentralized Liftax solution, we offer a highly precise and compact plug-and-play unit that is mounted at each lifting point of the pallet changer.

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Ultrashort pulse laser makes QR codes in plastic scannable

22.07.2020 | hailtec has achieved a breakthrough in microstructuring. It has succeeded in Plastic to produce a sprayed QR code (picture above) that can be scanned. The processing method was made possible by an ultra-short pulse laser with femto laser beams. Keppler Feinmechanik, the client, is demonstrating the application using the example of a coin chip.

The developers see a wide range of applications for such QR codes on plastic. “We need a mold insert with which we can inject plastic QR codes that can be read with a smartphone or other device,” was the request from Jochen Kepler from Keppler Feinmechanik. A QR code worked so far only in black and white contrast. So that sounded impossible at first.

Reflection as an alternative to black and white contrast

A well-known injection molding machine manufacturer also assured him that the project was “not feasible”. Nevertheless, Jochen Keppler was convinced that the idea could be implemented on the basis of reflection on the surface and turned to the laser technology expert Hailtec, whom he judged to be the right partner.

Alexander Renz, Managing Director of Hailtec and his team accepted the challenge of this material processing. They also brought Sylvia Goldbach from Taktilesdesign on board. In developing more functional Surface structures of components, the experts for texture development in tactile design and for ultra-short pulse lasers at Hailtec have been working together for years.

Giving up is not an option to make the impossible possible

“During the project I sometimes felt like we were trying to make the impossible possible. But giving up was out of the question. So we got deeper and deeper into the topic, so to speak. Today we are incredibly proud to have made it, ”says Alexander Renz.

With the help of the ultrashort pulse laser, also USP laser, the geometrically optimized microstructure a QR code molded in plastic. The Microstructuring Achieves a deep black effect with targeted light refraction and can therefore be scanned by smartphones. This even works with a photo of the coin chip.

Plastic with tungsten for coin chips

For a first application example, Keppler produced a Coin chips for shopping trolleys. A plastic from Polyone was used polyamide base that with 80% tungsten is filled. Thanks to its high density of 11 g / cm³, it has a very high value.

3D printer | Additive manufacturing of plastic parts

The developers actually wanted to present the development of the first QR code injection-molded in plastic at Arburg's Technology Days, but unfortunately the corona pandemic also thwarted this project.

The applications for plastic QR codes are promising and versatile. So they could Autoreifen and other consumer goods store information. Also for industrial use, for example at Tools- And mold makers, spray technologists, the potential of this new technology is huge.

3D microstructures finer than with nanolasers

The ultrashort pulse laser achieves with its femtosecond laser 3D microstructures with a much finer resolution than the conventional one Nanolaser technology able. The material sublimates directly without the action of heat or slag formation. The rework is so minimal. With the ultra-short pulse laser, Heiltec gives components functional surfaces such as antibacterial, tribological, hydrophobic or hydrophilic structures. The company offers this high technology on demand.

Ultrashort pulse laser ablation for high-precision materials

02.11.2018 | Hail-Tec is the first company in Germany to offer the ultrashort pulse method laser ablation (UKP laser ablation) as a service. With this high-tech variant of Material processing Laser pulses in the femtosecond range are used to manufacture high-precision workpieces. These meet even the highest demands in medical technology. The technical key figures of the ultrashort pulse laser alone are impressive.

The speed of light is one femtosecond (0,000 000 000 000 001 s) per 0,33 µm. This generates a peak pulse power of over 100 MW. This allows materials to be processed with unprecedented precision. Specifically, it involves ablation, texturing and drilling in industrial areas that are invisible to the human eye and enable the "cold ablation" of layers on the workpiece thanks to the speed of light.

Until now, access to such high technology in industry was only granted to a few companies that were able to invest in the appropriate machinery. This is now changing with the service from Hail-Tec, which enables the highly precise machining of, for example, Carbide, diamond, Ceramics, Glass and sapphire. The aim is to complete individual workpieces within two working days; a 24-hour service is available for emergencies.

Laser markers for metal and plastic with traceability

04.10.2018 | Datalogic presents its new laser "Arex 400". Together with the "Marvis" software, the user receives a complete traceability solution. The Arex series is a family of compact fiber lasers for high-speed marking on metal and plastic for the automotive and electronics industries.

Laser marker Arex 400 from Datalogic The Laser marker achieve very good marking performance and ensure process stability and flexibility. The Arex 400 has increased system performance and a completely revised design. The print head is now even smaller than before. This saves space and installation costs when integrating it into automatic production lines.

In addition, it has a programmable Green spot for immediately visible process feedback. Together with the Marvis software, the laser marker becomes a complete traceability solution. It is specifically designed for the integration of laser marking technology with DPM validation (Direct Part Marking).

With the Marvis graphic interface The entire marking and reading chain can be conveniently controlled via a single input device. The software can connect all laser markers and readers from the Datalogic portfolio and supports virtually every type of marking and inspection process.

Highly efficient short pulse laser marker for faster markings

31.07.2018 | SIC Marking presents the laser marker "i103 HD-Laser", which can be used to create precise direct markings on metal and plastic parts thanks to the short-pulse fiber laser used. Its technical properties make it possible to label metals and plastics with even higher contrast and better legibility - even on less than optimal surfaces.

With the same rated power, the device can produce more and targeted energy into the material than conventional systems. The material is therefore only heated locally and less overall, and the area affected by the heat generated is reduced. The result is clearly visible:

Since the material is not burned or sunk, the contours are sharper and therefore easy to read. Plastics This represents a decisive step forward. In addition, aluminum can now be marked black, or reproducible colors can be created on steel. The laser's marking windows are 60 x 60, 100 x 100 or 170 x 170 mm in size.

3D Laser improves housing and control cabinet processing

12.06.2015 | With the development of a new 3D laser center Kiesling machine technology the range of services of its “Perforex”switch cabinetmachining centers clearly. In addition to flat parts, control and switchgear manufacturers can also process complete housings and control cabinets quickly and precisely using laser cutting. The new development is very well suited for use with stainless steel, but also with sheet steel and powder-coated sheets. Rittal

Up to now, switchgear manufacturers have already been able to process flat parts and control cabinets with Kiesling's Perforex machines, but Kiesling is significantly expanding the range of applications with the 3D laser center. Complete housings and control cabinets such as the AE compact housing can now be built switch cabinetsystem TS 8 and completely welded housings like the SE 8 from Rittal edit from several sides in one operation without re-clamping.

While the processing of stainless steel surfaces was previously associated with high tool wear, longer processing times and high levels of noise, processing is now carried out using laser technology contactless, fast and with little vibration - without tarnishing or discoloration of cut edges. In addition, a large part of the manual post-processing such as cleaning and deburring is no longer necessary. The fact that the materials to be processed no longer have to be clamped, but only have to be placed on the surface of the machine helps to speed up the process even further.

Bent parts + laser parts online | calculate + order

The laser center has a working area of 1270 x 850 x 2250 mm. Stainless steel and sheet steel can be machined in thicknesses of up to 3 mm with a cutting width of only 0,3 mm and a speed of about 550 mm / min.

Foam laser technology from Arpro to a depth of 1,5 mm

Lasering surfaces made of lightweight Arpro foam with technology from Formenbau Thorsten Michel 04.03.2014 | Mould making Thorsten Michael has developed a process with which Surfaces made of lightweight Arpro Laser foam can be shaped as desired during foaming and injection up to a depth of 1,5 mm.

This is made possible by Lasertec Shape technology for laser cutting foams, which allows structures to be precisely reproduced in geometrically precisely defined 3D areas. Additional coatings or cladding can now also become superfluous.

Also are Milling and laser cutting with just one machine As a material solution, Arpro foams offer a variety of benefits, from dimensional stability, durability and light weight to energy absorption, thermal insulation, heat and chemical resistance and sound insulation.

Laser cutting is also extremely flexible and cost-effective, because the number of required Fasteners for assembly is reduced to a minimum. In addition, the material is 100% recyclable.

Laser foam for the automotive industry

Arpro is the foam for numerous applications in Automotive sector such as in the area of passive safety protection through Energy absorption, for side impact protection in door panels. Foam is also used in applications such as headrests and seat cores as well as seat and knee protection. But other components such as suitcase space equipment are also suitable for this laser processing. In addition, such foams or plastics are also used in new applications, for example in air conditioning, heating and ventilation technology or in the packaging and consumer goods industries.

Source: This article is based on information from the following companies: Datalogic, Hail-Tec, Hawe Hydraulik, Keppler, Kiesling, SIC Marking, Thosten Michel Formenbau.