Very compact 20 W laser marker uses fibre optics for diode longevity

While billed as twice as compact as previous generations and easy to integrate, the TF420 fibre laser marking solution, is capable of maintaining the same marking quality level. It also provides a writing speed of up to 2.5 m/sec, and a skipping speed of up to 5 m/sec. The TF420 is designed for applications involving medium to large production runs: motor vehicles, medical fields, electrical or mechanical components, etc. Because the light source operates at 1.06 mm (diode) placed remotely in the control unit, new electronics, and reduced number of optical components, the marking head is only half the volume of previous diode-pumped laser models. The light beam travels to the marking head along an optical fibre. The remote control unit can be fitted in a 19 in rack and it features an integrated buffer memory. Use of a fibre laser increases the diode service life to 100,000 hours, whereas with a diode-pumped laser, it was necessary to replace the diode every 10,000 hours of use. The marking head and its control unit have been designed with the lowest possible number of optical elements to reduce maintenance and avoid drift in the settings of the optical components, to ensure constant marking quality over time. A reflectivity alarm stops the laser if the reflection level from the part is too high, and prevents laser damage in the event of incorrect parameterisation. The TF420 system can be used to mark a wide range of materials, including plastics, metals, or ceramics, and also difficult surfaces such as cast aluminium, steel, or titanium.