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