16

Laser Marker Applications

by Industry

Successful
Cases
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL

01 Marking model number, lot number and 2D code on semiconductor packages

Lasers can be used to mark various indications

such as a company logo, model number, country
of origin, and lead-free marks on semiconductor
packaging. High speed marking can be achieved
in a 300 mm x 300 mm area without the use of
an X-Y stage. Laser marking allows for shallow
engraving to avoid inner circuit damage possibly
caused by thin package designs.

02 De-flashing of IC packages

The laser marker eliminates flash formed when the

packaging on the IC is moulded.
The laser scans with high accuracy to avoid
contacting unintended surfaces and to prevent

Before deflashing damage to circuits inside the IC. This noncontact

method also avoids damage to the lead frame
and allows for efficient processing without
deformation.

After deflashing

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ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL

03 Marking and removing coatings on keys

Laser marking is applicable to marking on the key

caps of a keyboard. Typical multi colour printing
methods are costly to implement and printing
will fade away due to wear. Laser marking is
both highly-durable and low-cost, increasing this
method's popularity in printing applications.

04 Laser dry etching

Laser marking is applicable to pattern removal of

ITO film (transparent conductive film) on glass.
While wet etching using chemicals has usually
been adopted, patterning by laser marker
is becoming a popular alternative offering
“improvement of processing accuracy”,
“reduction of environmental load”, and lowering
operating costs.

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A U TO M OT I V E I N D U S T R Y

01 2D code marking on engine blocks

After processing, the laser marker uses

information about the bore diameter to mark a
2D code on the outside housing. This allows for
automatic rank classification and helps to avoid
misassembly downstream in the assembly
process. Adding serial data to be read in
each process will also help secure in-process
management and detailed history management.

02 Wide area marking on fuse box cover

Silk screen printing has been the main method

for marking fuse box covers. However,
laser marking is capable of producing clear
contrasting characters on black resin and
allows for easy program changes when the
design of the fuse box changes. Adopting
in-process marking will also help reduce lead
time, cut costs required for consumable storage
and eliminate downtime for maintenance.
The 300 x 300 mm large area also allows for
marking multiple targets simultaneously and
shortens the cycle time.

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A U TO M OT I V E I N D U S T R Y

03 Marking on weather stripping

Weather stripping is usually produced by

extrusion moulding. These products are
continuously moving and a lot of information
including “product name”, “material” and “time”
must be marked at high speeds. Because
marking in continuous cycles for equally-
spaced printing is necessary, the laser marker
uses an encoder or similar device to detect the
line speed as a pulse signal.
In addition, laser marking is permanent unlike
ink-jet printing that will eventually fade from
wear and weathering.

04 Marking instrument panel switches

Laser marking can be used for processing

illuminated instrument panel switches. The laser
removes the top layer of resin on the products
surface to create a specified design.

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M ED I CAL & PHAR M ACEUTI CAL

01 Laser marking on PTP and blister packages

PTP and blister packaging machines usually

make a few thousand packs per minute and
require high-speed marking. While laser
marking is already popular, its marking speed
has become relatively slow compared with
improved high speed packaging machines.
However, a 30W high-power fibre laser can
provide higher speed and more clarity than
former laser marking methods. Moreover the
MD-F Series is equipped with the world’s
smallest marking head, allowing it to be
integrated easily into any packaging machine.

02 Marking lot numbers on plastic containers

Medical and cosmetic plastic containers are

usually marked by ink-jet. However, the marks
on bottles are often touched by hand and likely
worn off, or faded away by the of contents
(alcohol and other chemicals). Tracking of
these materials after they have been sold can
be difficult or impossible if the marks are not
permanent. Laser marking allows for clearly
legible marks that will not fade due to wear
or chemical reaction securing the history
management and traceability of the product.

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M ED I CAL & PHAR M ACEUTI CAL

03 Laser marking on implant products

Marking on implant products is necessary for

traceability and usually done manually using
a router or similar tools. However, this method
requires tedious labour and marking may be
inconsistent from one operator to the next.
Laser marking allows for precise marking
quality at high speeds on a variety of materials
including ceramic and titanium.

04 2D code marking on medical tools

2D code management is increasingly being applied to tools used in

the medical industry.
Clear and readable 2D code marking on many medical instruments
reacquires a high power laser. The 30W power of the MD-F Series,
with its high speed and clear marking, can improve reliability in
medical component traceability and boost work efficiency related to
product marking.

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F O O D & PA C K A G I N G

01 Perforating films

The laser marker can be used to create the

scoring or perforation needed to open the product
packaging. Because it does not use physical
blades or cutting equipment, laser marking
realises stable quality with no need for sharpening
or adjustments to the cutting system. Laser
marking also allows for easy product change over
by simply switching programs and reduces costs
associated with maintenance and down time.

02 Marking on black resin caps

Lasers are capable of creating clearly visible

marks on resin caps. Switching the colour of ink
to mark on different coloured caps can be time
consuming and leads to additional overhead
costs related to the storage of ink. Using a YVO4
laser to produce clearly legible marks allows for
high quality marking on a variety of coloured caps
including black.

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F O O D & PA C K A G I N G

03 Marking on cartons

On ink coated surfaces, it is possible to discolour

the packaging by removing the surface layer of
ink. This allows for marking of product date and lot
codes without the use of ink and other consum-
able items. 30 Watts of marking power allows for
marking with contrast on white surfaces as well
and marking on high speed production lines.

04 Marking on PET bottles

Ink-jet printing has been popular for marking on

PET bottles, but do to the high costs of replacing
ink and the down time associated with maintaining
these systems, laser marking is becoming a very
popular alternative.

9
DIRECT MARKING AND HIGH-ACCURACY PROCESSING

K E Y ENCE L A SER M A RK ERS

Black marking on metal and Marking on resign and metal,
deep engraving and removing coating
3-Axis Fibre Laser Marker 3-Axis YVO4 Laser Marker
MD-F3000 Series MD-V9900A Series

Using for rubber, resin, 2D Code Reader

and label material Ethernet compatible Compact 2D Code Reader
SR-650 Series
3-Axis CO2 Laser Marker
ML-Z9500 Series

SAFETY INFORMATION
Please visit: www.keyence.com Please read the instruction manual carefully in
order to safely operate any KEYENCE product.

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The information in this publication is based on KEYENCE’s internal research/evaluation at the time of release and is subject to change without notice.
Copyright (c) 2011 KEYENCE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. ML16Application-WW-EN1108-E 1111-1 600A20 Printed in Japan
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