Low Power Laser Success For Plastics Marking

Colour change specialist, Sherwood Technology has made what it claims to be a breakthrough development in achieving the satisfactory marking of plastics using low power CO2 lasers.

Colour change specialist, Sherwood Technology has made what it claims to be a breakthrough development in achieving the satisfactory marking of plastics using low power CO2 lasers.

The company has successfully applied Datalase Masterbatch, a new coding, marking and printing additive, directly to the polymer.

Combining chemistry, substrate conversion and laser energy, the technology uses low power laser light for the high speed printing of images.

Prior to Sherwood's the development, the successful laser marking of plastics with low powered CO2 lasers was an area of difficulty.

Manufacturers had abandoned the use of CO2 lasers in preference to higher-powered versions and YAG lasers particularly for polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene.

Other additives have been used, but they tend to require higher activation energy and cause a localised change and charring to the surrounding plastic said Sherwood.

The company said it has solved those problems by developing the patent-pending Datalase Masterbatch, which can be added directly to the polymer to be extruded or injection moulded.

It is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly additive that produces a positive image when marked by a low power CO2 laser.

The additive undergoes a simple chemical colour change and creates an image that is stable and has high contrast.

The laser imaging process does not require any ink or ribbons and is virtually maintenance free claimed Sherwood.

In sharp contrast to traditional methods, Masterbatch provides the ability to mark an expanding range of polymers using CO2 lasers and is thermally resistant at normal injection or blow moulding and extrusion temperatures up to around 250C.

As a result, the company said that there are a number of immediate benefits that can be enjoyed by implementing the new method.

Firstly, it is environmentally sound, with no production line consumables and low emissions.

There are claimed productivity gains because of the higher reliability and lower maintenance of laser coders and the system is compatible with most common plastics and forming processes.

The mark made by the system is embedded in the plastic surface to give good abrasion and chemical resistance from contact free imaging.

Steve Kelly, managing director of Sherwood Technology commented: "Datalase Masterbatch is set to redefine the process of marking on plastics.

With a strong commitment to research and development, we have begun to revolutionise coding and marking techniques.

Our ultimate objective is to build lasting and strategic cross-industry partnerships.".

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