Products Automation of Laser Marking

Prerequisites for automation

The key to a successful implementation is the intelligent and customized integration of automation solution, laser and software. A technically smooth interface connection is a prerequisite for the interaction of the laser marking system and the robot or automation system. 

FOBA laser marking systems and machines are equipped with sophisticated interfaces so that they can be smoothly integrated into automation processes and controlled by robots or other systems. All elements and steps of the marking process, including camera and illumination, are controlled by the same software, which not only simplifies integration but also makes operation and setup user-friendly.

Laser marking automation tailored to your needs

For us, the first steps are analyzing our customer’s requirements and providing profound advice. Depending on your needs, we offer different solutions.

Beyond our existing automation options, we develop further solutions as needed in our own technical department or recommend partners with the appropriate expertise. 

Through our cooperation with robot manufacturers and automation partners, we offer maximum flexibility and provide various types of automation, such as semi-automated loading and unloading processes.

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• All FOBA laser marking solutions offer options for automating the marking process. Due to their high flexibility, they can be easily integrated into existing production environments and are equipped with the necessary interfaces. 
• The M2000 and M3000 laser marking machines are available with integrated rotary unit or automated two-position rotary table. 
• With our vision- and software-based laser marking process, we offer a solution for automated mark alignment as well as for automated process and quality control. The automated marking process offers exceptional reliability and precision through the vision system which is integrated into the laser marking head.

Semi-automated loading and unloading

FOBA shows what a semi-automated marking solution might look like in the case of a laser marking service provider for medical device manufacturers: an industrial robot removes a tray containing several parts to be marked from a carrier cart and places it in a FOBA M2000-P marking station. The spacious marking field as well as the camera-assisted mark alignment enable the subsequent marking of several parts in one pass.

Docking modules for highly flexible part processing

Particularly flexible and fully automated marking solutions are based on a docking module that is connected directly to the FOBA M-Series marking workstations (M2000 or M3000). The docked automation cell is adapted to the FOBA marking workstations in terms of format and appearance and can be loaded with up to 20 pallets, which are individually drawn into the marking unit via linear kinematics.

Optional equipment: rotation unit, motorized axes or rotary table

There are applications, especially small batch sizes or parts that are particularly delicate or demanding in terms of marking, when a robotic solution does not make sense and humans cannot be replaced. But even without robotics, a marking process can be streamlined decisively, because there are various optional extras that make the use of a marking system more flexible and efficient.

For example, a rotary unit can greatly simplify the marking of cylindrical parts. This has been achieved at U.S. company Centex Machining with the help of a FOBA M3000 marking station.

Equipping a marking unit with a 2-station rotary table and motorized Z-axis can also be a solution when the loading is done manually, to make the marking process faster and more user-friendly: with the help of a movable axis, for example, even a complex part can be marked at different positions without manual relocation.

Automated process control through vision and software features

Using a laser-integrated vision system and intelligent software, the marking process itself can be automated. The integration of the camera into the marking head ensures distortion-free imaging, the prerequisite for precise marking through automatic positioning and alignment of the marking contents. At the same time, the software performs visual inspection of all parts prior to marking to prevent false marking, as well as a downstream readback of the marked codes for quality and content control (see Holistic Enhanced Laser Process - HELP).

Certain software functions such as MOSAIC, part of the FOBA MarkUS marking software, are capable of accurately marking a product located anywhere in the marking field. This not only saves time and effort in manually aligning the product to the laser, but also the considerable cost of manufacturing and equipping the respective fixtures.