Laser Ablation Marking for High-Speed Packaging Web Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser ablation marking systems struggle with high-speed applications due to limited mirror mobility and control issues, leading to tilted marks and reduced precision on packaging material.
Innovation Solution
A laser ablation marking system with multiple individually controllable light outputs, each connected to an optical fiber, emitting light at fixed angles to ablate a coating substance on packaging material at high speeds, ensuring precise and accurate mark placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If moveable mirrors are used to divert laser beam in x-y directions, then the lateral dimensions of the ablated mark can be extended, but the mirror mobility is limited and the mark becomes tilted at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with a fixed optical system. Instead of using moveable mirrors to steer the laser beam, the invention employs a stationary laser device with fixed optical elements that directs the beam along a predetermined path. This eliminates the mechanical mobility limitations and alignment errors caused by mirror movement at high speeds, while still achieving the desired lateral marking dimensions through the fixed optical geometry.
2Productivity
If high-speed web transportation is used to increase productivity, then production speed reaches 400 m/min and above, but position control precision deteriorates due to uncontrolled variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dynamic mechanical position adjustment systems with a stationary laser marking device. Instead of mechanically adjusting the laser position to track web variations, the fixed laser device maintains constant geometric relationships with the web, eliminating position control issues while operating at high speeds of 400 m/min and above.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the laser marking system stationary and fixed relative to the moving web, rather than attempting to dynamically track web position variations. This static configuration with respect to the moving substrate eliminates the complexity of real-time position control while maintaining marking precision at high production speeds.
3Area of moving object
If multiple lasers are provided to extend lateral dimensions, then the marking area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single stationary laser device that performs multiple functions by directing the beam through fixed optical elements to cover the required lateral marking area. This unified fixed system replaces the need for multiple separate laser sources and their associated mirror systems, achieving the same marking capability with reduced complexity.
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
Enables high-precision, high-resolution laser ablated marks on packaging material moving at speeds up to 400 m/min, maintaining alignment and accuracy even at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
at least one marking device having at least one laser comprising a plurality of individually controllable light outputs... configured to emit light to provide laser ablation on a product
Implementation Method 2
the emitted light will ablate a coating substance arranged on a coated area on said web of packaging material
Data Source
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Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
A laser ablation marking system (100) for and a method of providing an image (10) to a web (1) of packaging material are provided. The marking system (100) comprises at least one marking device (110) having at least one laser comprising a plurality of individually controlled light outputs arranged in the cross-wise direction of the web (1) of packaging material, each light output having a power output of at least 60 W and being configured to emit light to provide laser ablation, and a controller (120) being connected to the marking device (110) and configured to control the light outputs based on the speed of the web (1) of packaging material such that the emitted light will always hit the web (1) of packaging material at the same angle.