New system launched for laser marking
FOBA has developed an integrated through-the-lens vision system for laser-marking, where part verification, mark content and laser control are performed under one platform. Intelligent Mark Positioning (IMP) reduces set-up time, simplifies focusing, eliminates waste parts due to misaligned marks, reduces the price of costly fixturing, offers superior accurate mark placement and reduces operator errors. IMP was recently demonstrated at MACH2008 by Kaye-Dee and FOBA.
A simple user interface offers a single platform with all the functionality necessary to align a part with ultimate accuracy and precision. With the 3-step process you can set up a job in less than 20 minutes and changeover from one part to another in less than two. Create a job, create a layout including the position of the part and mark content and create a vision model to capture and identify a part. This simple set-up and quick changeover equates to more production time. Production part variations can be included in IMP tolerances by adjusting the tolerance levels that will ensure all parts are marked and reduce work. Teaching IMP where to place the mark guarantees that the mark will be positioned and oriented in the correct location thus eliminating waste due to incorrect part marking. With the programmable restricted search area IMP will search, align and mark with speed, resulting in an optimised product throughput and IMP can auto-scale to fit bigger or smaller part sizes. This option ensures that parts that are slightly bigger or smaller will be marked and will minimise re-work. On screen measurement tools allow the operator to identify the x and y co-ordinates and measure the distance or angle anywhere within the field of view, which is useful for measuring the accuracy and/or precision of the pattern marked on the part. IMP's software has been developed for accuracy and precision of the laser marking system and to help eliminate waste parts due to incorrect marking. For example, a two mouse click calibration feature has been created that takes place in two minutes and results in a truly integrated system.
