SmartLase: CO2 Laser Technology for Coding on Webs, Labels and Packaging Materials

The SmartLase® CO2 Laser Coders from MARKEM are carbon dioxide lasers which use electrical energy to cause carbon dioxide gas to emit a powerful beam of invisible light. The light is in the infrared portion of the spectrum, which is beyond the red end of the spectrum of colors we can see. Infrared light is a form of heat energy, so a carbon dioxide laser locally heats the surface of the sample. The heat created at the surface of the sample either ablates (vaporizes) the printed image or engraves the surface to create a mark.

The MARKEM concept makes very efficient use of laser power by optimization of the text area to be marked. This allows the use of a small, low cost, air-cooled laser (about the size of a long loaf of bread).

All MARKEM laser markers use this compact, air-cooled laser type. The beam of invisible light is directed towards movable mirrors. As the mirrors are moved under computer control, the beam of light makes a dot matrix image of the desired information on the surface to be marked. The laser is turned on and off as needed. Marking can be done on stationary or moving surfaces. The localized heat on the surface creates a contrasting mark by engraving, color change, or material removal.

Some materials (like printed cartons) can be marked with much less energy than other material types. Since MARKEM lasers allow the user to control the amount of energy delivered to the surface, the desired image can be created using far less power or energy.

Efficient use of the available energy not only reduces cost, it positively affects performance. Ongoing reliability testing of the MARKEM laser under various operating conditions shows a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) of over 20,000 hours. As a result of this performance and low cost, MARKEM sells more laser markers into the package marking industry than any other company.

Built on proven laser coding technology, the SmartLase® 110 and SmartLase® 130 coders represent the next generation in Intelligent Coding. These 10 Watt C02 lasers provide the perfect balance between power, safety and flexibility while remaining the most cost effective method of package coding. Accurate and reliable, it’s the right choice for food, pharmaceutical, personal care and beverage products, industrial marking and OEM manufacturers.

Fits almost anywhere. Because of their small size and configuration, the SmartLase® coders can be easily and safely installed on a wide variety of production lines. And they requires little to no modification to your existing processes.

A single point of control. The SmartLase® QWERTY user interface allows you to control exactly what you want printed and where. The simple keypad layout makes programming and operating the SmartLase® a snap.

Flexible coding capability. The SmartLase® coders are the right choice for a wide range of materials, which makes it ideal for marking on cartons, labels and plastics used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, food, beverage and household chemical industries.

Low operating cost and increased productivity. The low operating costs and reliability the SmartLase® pays for itself and reduces the impact on your budget. More importantly, you can count on fixed operating costs with the extended warranty program and that has a direct effect on your bottom line.

SmartLase® - The lowest cost and the highest performance you can get from laser coding systems.