Luxinar, a manufacturer of sealed CO2 laser sources, will be exhibiting its MULTISCAN VS and a selection of its SR series sealed CO2 laser sources, from its expanding portfolio, on stand C15 (Pav. 7) at VITRUM in Milan, between 1-4 October 2019.
Automotive window glass marking, data matrix marking on hot glass, decorative marking, head keepers in beer glasses… these are just a few of the applications that can be done with Luxinar sealed CO2 laser sources. Luxinar laser sources can be used on a wide array of materials including glass, paper, textiles, acrylic, plastic, card, polymer, foil, rubber, FR4, wood and ceramics, to mention a few. Applications range from cutting, drilling, kiss-cutting and perforating to marking, engraving, scribing and welding.
Solutions in the hot-end glass production process
MOULD CLEANING
Luxinar laser sources are an efficient way to clean excess particles found in cast iron moulds. Instead of using harsh chemicals, or sandblasting where there is a risk of damaging the layer of the mould, lasers can ‘burn’ away the excess particles on the mould’s surface. This extends the lifetime of the mould. An SR series laser source can clean the mould without leaving any unwanted residue subject to a pre-process operation. Since this laser is IP66-rated, it is ideal to work in the harsh environments found in glass production.
MARKING
For customers wanting to mark hot glass, Luxinar has a couple of products for consideration. Marking glass at high temperatures, 500°C or more, minimises risk of ‘breakout’; this results in incredibly high-quality marking. Take the example of data matrix marking on hot glass bottles. MULTISCAN from Luxinar is an ideal candidate for this. Using a scanner in conjunction with a beam expander, a small spot is produced with clear, distinct dots, using 1 pulse per dot. This can be done on the fly at high speed – it’s the fastest coder currently on the market. A spatial filter is recommended for optimum beam quality in data matrix marking applications.
CUTTING
It is also possible to cut hot glass with Luxinar laser sources. Luxinar sealed CO2 lasers can cut hot hollow glass up to a maximum wall thickness of 2mm. This is an ideal solution for tableware and tumblers. The cut can be integrated in the hot-end process, resulting in top quality round rims that are more resistant than after a cold-end process.
Solutions in the cold-end glass production process
Flat panel display manufacturers, automotive security glass manufacturers as well as hollow glass manufacturers can all consider Luxinar sealed CO2 slab laser sources. Dependent on the manufacturers’ requirements, there are number of options available; the SR series – IP66-rated, the OEM series – the company’s best seller due to its versatility, and the MULTISCAN coding system, which has a 7-knuckle, 1.2m articulated arm and a range of scanners with different apparatus.
The basic principle behind Luxinar technology is the sealed CO2 slab laser heats the glass surface and compressive stress builds up in the surface layers. A coolant is then applied on the cutting line and a crack is propagated by thermal gradient/stress. At 300W, a cut can be made at around 350mm/sec on glass with thickness between 0.6mm and 1.1mm. Using lasers for the cut eliminates the need for scribing wheels, giving designers more freedom in their product shapes. The two main advantages of laser cutting glass compared with mechanical techniques are the accuracy of the cutting line and the excellent edge quality of the cut glass. This reliability obviously translates into higher productivity and less down time. All this means reduced maintenance and lower operating costs for the manufacturer.
Using Luxinar sources for decorative glass marking is another hugely popular option. Results depend on the type of glass, as well as the laser parameters used. Bitmap marking allows complex graphics and logos to be applied to produce a ‘sandblasted’ effect. To compensate for the curvature of the glass when marking tumblers or other tableware, the bitmap logo is compressed and the glass rotated slowly during marking e.g. an elaborate whisky glass logo can be marked with the MULTISCAN VS in just 24 seconds.
Solutions for high speed marking and coding
Lasers are now a popular choice for packaging companies for a number of reasons, including the diversity of the materials they can mark, and the longevity of the inscription compared with the alternative inkjet printing method. The MULTISCAN from Luxinar is popular among customers with a variety of packaging applications. The laser marker provides perfect line tracking and its compact size and reliability allow easy siting and ‘fit and forget’ low maintenance operation.
MULTISCAN from Luxinar is the fastest sealed CO2 laser marking system on the market. It offers an inkless method of applying alphanumeric text, QR codes, 2D and traditional barcodes as well as complex graphics to a wide variety of materials. The system can mark stationary or moving products 'on the fly' at speeds of up to 1200 characters per second, on an area up to 300x300mm. It uses flexible software which enables intelligent data to be placed anywhere within the specified scan area. This makes it an attractive contender for customers needing small batch, just-in-time delivery solutions. As there is no tool change required, downtime is also reduced.
Try before you buy
For manufacturers uncertain as to whether a sealed CO2 laser can be used in, or to improve, a specific manufacturing process, Luxinar is able to assist by conducting sample tests at their in-house application laboratories. This service is available to any interested party, regardless of whether the client is an existing customer. The laboratories are well equipped to conduct a range of processes. Whatever the process, Luxinar can assist to determine the best laser for an application. Sample turnaround times are rapid, and include detailed application reports with complimentary advice from experienced application engineers.
At your service – support when you need it
Whether you have a query, require a repair, need to exchange or purchase spare parts, or require training, Luxinar’s dedicated service team is on hand. The team are specialists in sealed CO2 laser sources. Each member has an in-depth knowledge of laser technology, the Luxinar product portfolio, as well as a wealth of experience across a multitude of industries. What they don’t know about CO2 laser sources is probably not worth knowing! With local contacts in Asia, Europe and USA, delays due to time zones are averted.
Partnering with Luxinar
Luxinar does not provide turnkey solutions for the glass industry. Instead, we work with OEMs and machine builders who integrate our sealed CO2 laser sources to provide a complete laser solution to customers. All product ranges are available in three wavelengths; 10.6µm, 10.25µm and 9.3µm, allowing companies to design modular machines to meet their respective process parameters. That said, alternative wavelengths can be selected to match the peak absorption in some polymers and organic materials, thus optimising the laser process.