In the household appliance industry, the marking of components intended for food contact is undergoing a profound technological revolution. Food safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, pushing manufacturers away from traditional techniques such as screen printing, which poses significant risks of ink and solvent migration, as well as durability and chemical resistance issues.
UV Laser Technology: Aesthetics and Safety
UV laser marking represents the most advanced answer to these challenges. The laser technology itself is characterized by the absence of contact with the material and the use of a laser beam that alters the surface but does not add inks or anything else to it.
With the UV laser, in particular, we achieve a completely “finger-proof” marking: when passing your finger over the marked surface, it is impossible to perceive any tactile difference from the unmarked area. This feature, combined with the contactless nature of the process, makes UV laser technology particularly suitable for components intended for food contact.
Taking advantage of specific wavelengths (355 nm) that uniquely interact with plastic materials, this technology enables markings of extraordinary sharpness and contrast, while maintaining the surface of the material unchanged. The process is based on photochemical toning, where the energy of UV photons triggers a precise reaction in the material, changing its optical properties without causing any surface alteration perceptible to the touch.
3D Geometry Management and Technical Challenges.
A crucial aspect in the marking of home appliance components (e.g., refrigerator drawers, washing machine fronts, and dishwashers) is the handling of complex geometries. Plastic components often have irregular shapes and curved surfaces that require advanced solutions. LASIT has implemented systems with 3D marking heads that maintain perpendicularity of the beam to the surface, automatically compensating for elevation changes and ensuring uniformity of marking across the entire surface. This technology optimizes cycle times through smooth and coordinated movements, a key aspect for integration into high-efficiency production lines.
The FlyUV Platform and Industry 5.0
In the context of Industry 5.0, LASIT has developed the FlyUV system, a complete technology platform that integrates UV laser source, proprietary control electronics and precision optical systems. The system architecture, based on state-of-the-art components, achieves more than 30 percent efficiency through optimized cooling systems.
Process control is managed by proprietary software that integrates advanced algorithms for optimizing marking parameters. The system monitors and manages real-time pulse synchronization, dynamic power compensation and 3D trajectories, communicating with enterprise ERP systems through standard Industry 4.0 protocols for intelligent production management and predictive maintenance.
Sustainability and Industrial Applications
The FlyUV integration laser represents a significant step forward in the sustainability of marking processes, with a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional technologies. This is achieved through advanced energy management strategies that include dynamic parameter optimization and energy recovery in cooling systems.
The flexibility of the system allows for different integration configurations:
- Standalone solution for flexible productions
- Full integration into existing automated lines
- Custom robotic cells for specific needs
Each configuration is optimized considering material characteristics, productivity requirements, and plant layout constraints, always ensuring maximum efficiency and quality of the marking process.
