FOBA Workflow HELP - The 360° Marking Process

HELP (Holistic Enhanced Laser Process) is the simplest and most comprehensive laser marking process on the market

Kamerabasierter Kontrollvorgang nach Laserbeschriftungsprozess

Overview
HELP in three stages
Benefits
Workflow Checkliste
Videos
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Overview What is the FOBA Workflow HELP?

The Holistic 360° Workflow for Laser Marking

In addition to marking itself, FOBA offers HELP, the most comprehensive process solution for direct component marking on the market. HELP combines FOBA's camera systems (IMP and Point & Shoot) with MOSAIC to create a unique workflow that does not require product fixtures and includes component and marking inspection before and after laser marking. Systemic and operator-induced errors are thus avoided and laser-marked content is checked in the marker immediately after marking. This is not only relevant for companies with strict quality requirements, but for anyone who values less waste and faster production.

HELP in three stages

Laser Marking with Validation before and after Marking prevents Marking errors

1: Inspection before Laser Marking
Product validation: Prevents an incorrect or faulty product from being marked.
Preliminary check: Ensures that the component to be marked has not already been marked.
Marker alignment: Aligns the marker relative to the component position.

2: Laser Marking

3: Inspection after Laser Marking
Marking check: Checks the labeling with regard to position, alignment and size.
Optical character verification (OCV): Validates whether marked characters match the intended content.
Code validation and readback: Reads and checks 1D and 2D codes (data matrix, e.g. ECC 200, GS1; QR). Classification into quality levels can be carried out.

FOBA's workflow for laser marking includes...

... in general

Marking without product support with MOSAIC to reduce manufacturing costs
Job setup with patented autofocus tool
Full integration with FOBA's Advanced Operator Plugin (AOP) with traceability of the marking process
Combination of camera and axis movement for precise marking of large components (patented Multi-Model Registration)

... before marking

Verification that products to be processed have not yet been labeled.
Confirmation that the product to be processed is the correct one
Alignment of marking content - either automatically (with FOBA's IMP camera system) or manually (with FOBA's Point & Shoot camera system)
Immediately apply the correct marking with the Laser Parameter Expert

... directly after the marking

Checking of marking positioning with regard to compliance with tolerances
Reading back of marking contents: Validation using Optical Character Recognition (OCV).
Code quality verification (1D/2D codes): 1) confirms code content and 2) verifies that code quality is consistent from product to product
Logging of images and inspection results to monitor manufacturing processes

Benefits

Consistent quality marking

Testing before and after machining
Full traceability and compliance with regulations
Consistent premium-quality markings

Fast ROI

low set-up costs
reduced scrap costs
lower integration costs
hardly any set-up costs

More efficiency and flexibility in production

Automatic mark alignment, laser-aided processing and verification
Validation of laser marking directly in the marking device reduces handling times
Reproducible, stable processes
Camera-based marking process prevents marking errors and reduces product waste

Would you like to know whether your production benefits from the HELP process?

With the FOBA workflow checklist, you can check your marking process step by step. The checklist guides you through all relevant workflows and reveals where optimization potential exists. Please fill it out, send it back to us, and receive a personal recommendation from our experts for your production.