Laser-Marked Can Ends With Readable Codes Without Lacquer Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for marking metal can ends, particularly pull tabs, face limitations in speed and resolution, restricting the amount of decoration that can be achieved, and existing systems often burn, etch, or ablate the lacquer, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed, high-resolution laser marking process using a CO2 laser with a beam width of less than 50 microns is applied to metal can ends and pull tabs, incorporating a photonically active component that changes appearance without burning, etching, or ablating the lacquer, enabling the creation of small, readable images and codes on both sides of the tab.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional laser etching is used on pull tabs, then decoration can be achieved, but the process speed is limited to about 700 tabs per minute and resolution is limited to approximately 100 microns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser wavelength parameter from conventional CO2 laser (10.6 microns) to fiber laser (1 micron), enabling both higher resolution (10 microns) and higher speed operation. This parameter change in laser type allows the system to overcome the traditional trade-off between resolution and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional CO2 laser system with a fiber laser system, substituting one type of laser technology with another that offers superior performance in both resolution and speed, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser power is increased to improve decoration detail, then resolution improves, but the lacquer is burned, etched, or ablated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser wavelength from CO2 (10.6 microns) to fiber laser (1 micron), which interacts differently with the lacquer material. This parameter change allows achieving high decoration detail without burning or ablating the lacquer, as the fiber laser energy is absorbed more selectively by the photonically active component rather than degrading the lacquer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes photonically active components in the lacquer that change color or appearance when exposed to the fiber laser, allowing detailed decoration to be created through color transformation rather than material removal, thereby avoiding lacquer damage while achieving high resolution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If small size codes are marked on the tab to enable game play, then functionality is enhanced, but the codes become difficult to read and scan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber laser technology with 1 micron wavelength to achieve extremely fine resolution (10 microns), enabling small 6mm x 6mm codes to be marked with sufficient detail and contrast for easy scanning. The high resolution capability ensures that even small codes remain readable and scannable by mobile devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for high-speed decoration of can ends with detailed, machine-readable images and codes that can withstand pasteurization and retort temperatures, enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of metal cans while maintaining the integrity of the lacquer.
Implementation Method 1
A high-speed, high-resolution laser marking process using a CO2 laser with a beam width of less than 50 microns is applied to metal can ends and pull tabs, incorporating a photonically active component that changes appearance without burning, etching, or ablating the lacquer
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D~1E
AI summary
Can ends including a can end center panel and a pull tab (26) being especially decorated via machine readable images or codes (28).