What To Consider When Purchasing a Laser Marker
The acquisition of a laser marker is a large investment for any manufacturing organization. The best for a specific marking application depends on many variables. The following checklist is designed to make the purchasing decision as smooth as possible.
Checklist
What will be Marked
- Material/Substrate (e.g. metal, plastic…)
- Surface finish (e.g. polished…)
- Expected marking effect (e.g. type of mark, how deep, engraved, layer removal…)
Were and How Should the Marking Take Place
- In a stand-alone workstation (Laser marking system in laser Safety Class 1)
- In a production line (Marking laser in Safety Class 4 would be integrated in a production line of machine)
- Will a laser-integrated vision system be required and beneficial?
Supplier of Laser Marking Solutions
- Educate yourself with an overview of the various available technologies. (See partmarking.news)
- Ask for a consultation of the relevant technologies and the calculation of your individua ROI.
Sample Marking
- Prepare samples with exact requirements (material, mark durability, marking time, product life cycle…)
- Request a sample of the mark from the marking machine manufacturer.
- Test completed samples thoroughly (quality and contrast of the mark, legibility, treaceability…)
Systems and Software
- Test the operator useability and all required functions in an application lab or showroom.
- Collect as much information as possible as a potential operator.
Customer Specific Requirements
- Define requirements for traceability.
- Confirm capability to connect to your ERP system or database.
- Review the software for personal customization.
- Check availability and content of service packages, in order to minimize outages.
- Plan for training of administrators and operators
Collect Quotations and Make a Decision!
Information provided by: www.fobalaser.com; info@fobalaser.com
