Product category:
Laser marking systems
News Release from: Electrox | Subject: Product laser marking system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 February 2006
Laser marking gives full traceability
To comply with FDA regulations, Medtronic is laser marking every item it manufactures to provide a 'cradle-to-grave' alpha numeric mark, which will provide full traceability.
Marking a product can seem insignificant, maybe frivolous even, in comparison with the complex production problems of achieving exceptional accuracies, rapid cycle times, excellent surface finish and minimised production costs But the task is anything but trivial for Medtronic, market leader in the manufacture of stainless steel and titanium parts for the orthopaedics industry
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Laser marking systems suit high or low volume work
Based on an innovative diode pumped Nd:YAG design, an expanded laser marking range now offers solutions for low volume and high throughput work.
Laser profiling centre makes light work
When visiting MACH 2002 earlier this year, having already made highly effective use of a laser profiling system installed 18 months previously, a subcontractor chose a second, more powerful type.
To meet customer requirement and comply with FDA regulations, Medtronic has to give every item it manufactures a cradle-to-grave alpha numeric mark which will provide full traceability for that item and which cannot be removed or obliterated by any substance.
The mark includes the part and serial number, the product description and sometimes a logo.
It has to achieve that without affecting the inherent integrity of the product or the base material.
Further reading
SMEs offered affordable laser marking system
An affordable laser marking system for all small-to-medium volume manufacturers is complete with control electronics, software, safety workstation and work piece focusing mechanism.
Budget-priced laser marking system launched
To meet the market demand - particularly from SMEs - for aggressively priced laser marking systems - this unit provides a permanent, easily legible and versatile mark.
The mark has to be achieved on very small parts, some as small as a 1/4in diameter.
A further, obvious, consideration is that the marking process must fit comfortably within the existing production process and be affordable to both install and operate.
Following a rigorous evaluation of the alternative marking technologies available Medtronic concluded that laser marking was the only viable technology and having reviewed the laser systems available, it selected Electrox as its partner.
The choice of laser marking was dictated by the requirements of the mark and the materials themselves.
Laser marking uses the highly concentrated energy of an amplified beam of light focused to a very small spot and creates the images by changing the colour of the surface of the material without causing damage to the surrounding substrate.
The mark is both permanent and non-intrusive and because there is no physical force applied to the work piece, the risk of distorting thin-walled and fragile products is virtually eliminated.
Medtronic selected a marking system from Electrox because it is one of few fully integrated laser marking system manufacturers, taking complete responsibility for design, production and software development and was able to provide a complete turnkey workstation system at an affordable capital cost.
As Jim Betsinger of Medtronic pointed out, "The speed, consistency and ease of use of the Electrox system is very good".
"We already had experience of their systems within the company and have been consistently pleased but we did review the alternatives before making a final decision." Betsinger continued, "We selected Electrox because we felt the company offered the greatest choice and the best system".
"We have Electrox systems already, and knew their system to be good, the price was competitive and that they provide good local support".
"A further attraction was that the company has been in operation for many years, so has provenance, experience and stability". Request a free brochure from Electrox ...
"That gave us confidence that, should we need to go back to them at some time in the future, they would still be around to help.".
• Electrox: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
