Thursday, May 7, 2009

Marking and Engraving on Wood Using a Laser

Laser systems help wood markers and engravers speed up production while becoming more accurate. Most wood workers in the industry use CO2 laser systems which provide them with the best solution for marking and engraving their products. These lasers have replaced such conventional methods as branding or burning the wood. As laser technology expands many companies in the wood marking and etching industry are realizing the overall cost and time saving these systems provide. Most of these companies use lower power lasers ranging from 10Watts to 100Watts depending on the speed and accuracy required by the specific applications.

Applications:
Doors
Cabinets
Plaques
Signs
Trophies
Handles
Garden Tools
Sports Equipment
Kitchen Tools





The SBM 1200M laser cutting and laser engraving machine comes equipped with CO2 laser combining flying optics with a precision Direct Drive motion system. CO2 laser equipped system provides highly accurate cutting, welding, engraving and marking capabilities for multiple materials.


Media Contact:
Maureen McHale
407-829-2613 x317

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Product Update: The FiberTower™ MegaCenter Laser

The FiberTower™ MegaCenter is Laser Photonics’ featured product of May, 2009. This unique system is one of the newest generations of fiber laser material processing systems for parts marking, UID marking, and deep engraving. It is the most advanced, industrial grade, fiber laser machine available. Equipped with the new generation of solid state Ytterbium fiber laser systems of near infrared spectral range (1060-1080nm) with a unique combination of large marking area, high peak power, and ideal beam quality and fiber delivery, the MegaCenter™ is changing many manufacturing processes.

Operating as a standalone unit or as part of an in-line system, the FiberTower™ MegaCenter incorporates a direct drive linear motion system, Fiber Laser with Scan Head, Industrial PC Controller, Power Supply, Marking Software and a laser safety enclosure.


For more information on the FiberTower MegaCenter, view our product update:

Media Contact:

Maureen McHale

Friday, May 1, 2009

Laser Photonics: Made in the USA


A US company has positioned itself as the only domestic manufacturer of a flat-bed fibre-laser cutting system.
Laser Photonics (Lake Mary, FL) supplies the Titan series of fibre-laser cutting machines, a range of multipurpose flat-bed systems equipped with a high-power fibre-laser and a single-pallet shuttle table. And it is currently the only US manufacturer of such a system, according to the company's marketing manager Maureen McHale.

"Fibre lasers are still a relatively new technology," McHale told optics.org. "They represent a real improvement in technology for a variety of applications, and are becoming the new industry standard. However, many manufacturers and job shops still haven't embraced the technology and cling to their CO2 machines."

The company's expertise in fibre-lasers stems from its background in the supply of systems for laser marking, cutting and engraving applications, and experience in working with lasers in R&D environments. "Along the way we acquired an understanding of how to physically build workable systems and incorporate lasers into industrial applications," said McHale.

Other US companies supplying the industrial-laser sector have not embraced fibre lasers in the same way, according to McHale: "Fibre lasers have not historically been a major focus for US manufacturers. Consequently most manufacturers of such systems are European companies, as US suppliers currently do not have the combination of technical know-how and ability to build the equipment needed."
The only other sources for similar flat-bed fibre-laser machines at present are one Italian and one Indian company (Air Liquide and Addprint India Enterprises), but McHale indicates that they differ from the Titan series in the way they manipulate the workpiece. "The Italian and Indian machines use ball and screw mechanisms, while the Titan employs a linear drive motion system. This allows for higher speeds during cutting, and can deliver the high levels of accuracy and repeatability required in flat-sheet cutting and the flat-panel-display industry."
At present, Laser Photonics claims its order books remain healthy despite the economic climate. "In the first quarter of 2009 our sales are up by over 250% compared to the total sales volume of 2008. Many manufacturers are using this down-turn in the economy to beef up their production lines, and investigate ways to lower their operating costs, use less energy and increase throughput."
These attractions guarantee that Laser Photonics will soon be facing competition in its niche. "We recognize that within the next 5-10 years other US manufacturers will try and compete, but we are pushing to stay ahead of any possible competition," said McHale. "Being the only manufacturer of a product in the US is a big thing."

As seen on Optics.org




About the author
Tim Hayes is Industry Editor for optics.org and Optics & Laser Europe.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

CO2 Lasers vs. Fiber Lasers - Calculate the Difference

Discover the fiber difference with this Cost Calculator...


Enter a few details into the calculator and discover the fiber advantage – tremendous cost savings! You’ll quickly see what a new Laser Photonics Fiber Laser System can do for you.





Did you know that Laser Photonics Fiber Laser Systems….


  • Reduce Energy Costs
  • Reduce Maintenance Costs
  • Reduce Equipment Costs
  • Take Up Less Floor Space
  • Are Easily Upgradable
  • Feature Quick Installation and Start Up
  • Have the Fastest Cutting and Marking Speeds
  • Offer Easy Integration
  • Eliminate Expensive Annual Gas Costs
Calculate your Savings NOW!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Laser Cutting Video

The SBM1200FL Fiber Laser Cutting machine is a state of the art design combining the latest development in the motion engineering, PC based CNC controls, and Fiber Laser Material Processing Technologies. Our advanced cutting head design equipped with crash protection, autofocus, and high pressure cutting head with software selectable, assist gas (CO2 and N2 or Ar).


The SBM1200FL performing a sawtooth cut and straight line cut on a mild steel master panel for individual table supports.


Watch the Video Now!

http://www.laserphotonics.com/video/steel_cutting_video_sawtooth_high.html

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Laser Application Helps Keep Bumble Bee Tuna Stay Fresh

Laser Photonics’ application engineers were recently contacted by Bumble Bee Tuna to improve the labeling of the expiration dates on their canned seafood products. The seafood giant was looking for the fastest and clearest way to mark these dates in order to increase production times and convey the information easily to customers.

Our engineers quickly found the solution by using a 20W Fiber Laser System to mark the expiration dates clearly onto the packaging itself without any damage. The dates were etched onto the thin plastic in one pass using a 160mm lens. This process can vary from etching 15 inches per second to 35 inches per second depending on the type of font being used. The average cycle time per can was .480 seconds. Using the same laser we can mark clearly on the different color packaging (Clear, black, green and blue) which will increase throughput of the production process. The clear marking will also ensure easy visibility for customers around the world reinforcing that Bumble Bee is the freshest canned seafood products in the industry.


“This is a very interesting application for our fiber laser systems” stated Ryan Semmer, Industrial Product Marketing Manager for Laser Photonics. “Clearly marked expiration dates are extremely important in the canned food industry, and now our lasers can help speed up the production while making it easier for the customer to read the information with a permanent mark. Our next step will be to quickly mark directly onto the can itself at these speeds."



The system used for this application is a 20W i-Series Fiber Laser Marker. The i-Series is available in Q-switch or CW configurations. It delivers a diffraction limited (M2<1.05)> 1.05) laser beam directly to the worksite via a metal sheathed single mode fiber cable. These compact service-free lasers are designed to operate under high shock, vibration and dust conditions, with relatively high humidity and temperatures. They do not require routine replacement parts or materials; they require only a low voltage power source. Wall-plug efficiencies up to 50% result in a compact size, reduced utilities, and trouble-free air cooling. Fiber-to-fiber architecture means a robust, monolithic design with no optics to align or maintain, no mechanics to stabilize, and with the focusable power and high power densities needed for the most demanding applications.

Visit our Video Library at www.laserphotnics.com/video/

About Laser Photonics: Laser Photonics is the industry leader in developing high-tech fiber and CO₂ laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications. Our systems are used by manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, defense, electronic and medical industries around the world. For more information about our systems, please visit our website at http://www.laserphotonics.com/ or call us direct at 407-829-2613.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Only Company in US Making Fiber Laser Cutting Systems - Laser Photonics

Laser Photonics, the industry leader in developing high-tech Fiber and C02 laser systems for marking, cutting and engraving applications announced today that it is still the only company in the United States manufacturing a flat bed fiber laser cutting system.

One year ago, Laser Photonics’ introduced a new system to its product line, the Titan Series. This machine was Laser Photonics’ first multipurpose fiber laser cutting machine equipped with a high-powered, energy efficient fiber laser and a single pallet shuttle table. It was also, the only one of its kind manufactured in the United States.

On the eve of unveiling a new redesigned Titan Series, Laser Photonics announces that it is still the only manufacturer in the United States to have such a machine on the assembly line.

“Being the only manufacturer of a product in the United States is a big thing,” said Maureen McHale, Laser Photonics Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “And, there are only two other companies in the world, one in Italy and one in India, who are able to build this type of system today.”

The Titan is used to cut materials in an industrial manufacturing setting. By directing the high power of the fiber laser, by computer, at the material to be cut, the material will either melt, burn or vaporize away leaving an edge with a high quality finish.

Fiber lasers are still a relatively new technology. Having been found to be a cost-effective, reliable, high throughput means to process flat sheet metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium these lasers represent a real improvement in technology for a variety of applications, and are becoming the new industry standard. However, many manufacturers and job shops still haven’t embraced this new technology, clinging to their outdated, slow and expensive to run, CO2 machines.

“What do I say to people who ask why should they switch to a fiber laser system? That’s easy. The Titan has a lighter weight design and the fastest cutting speed on the market. It has the lowest operating costs among all laser types, requires no optical system alignment, laser service or laser replacement parts. It’s virtually maintenance free and simply the best industrial laser cutting system available,” said McHale. “It’s also the only one that’s made in the United States.”

Developing laser marking, laser cutting and laser engraving systems for precision material processing industries, Laser Photonics is leading the way with innovative fiber laser and CO2 laser systems. Our laser machines are used by manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, defense, electronic and medical industries around the world. For more info visit http://www.laserphotonics.com/ or call 407-829-2613.

Media Contact:
Maureen McHale
mmchale@laserphotonics.com
407-829-2613 x317

Monday, April 20, 2009

Mechpost Features The Titan



Fiber Laser Cutting Machine offers continuous operation

April 11, 2009

Suited for manufacturers of food processing machines, Titan FLS 48 is designed to cut metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, mild steel, and most other highly reflective metals. Since high-power lasers make precise and clean cuts, edges do not require post processing stage, speeding production time for manufacturers.