EP0329884A1 - Laser marking - Google Patents

Laser marking Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0329884A1
EP0329884A1 EP19880305585 EP88305585A EP0329884A1 EP 0329884 A1 EP0329884 A1 EP 0329884A1 EP 19880305585 EP19880305585 EP 19880305585 EP 88305585 A EP88305585 A EP 88305585A EP 0329884 A1 EP0329884 A1 EP 0329884A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cable
marking
insulating layer
photosensitive substance
laser
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP19880305585
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Dickinson
Stewart Williams
Peter Morgan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems PLC
Original Assignee
British Aerospace PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Aerospace PLC filed Critical British Aerospace PLC
Publication of EP0329884A1 publication Critical patent/EP0329884A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/34—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables for marking conductors or cables
    • H01B13/348—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables for marking conductors or cables using radiant energy, e.g. a laser beam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
    • B44B7/00—Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding, e.g. using radiant energy such as laser beams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/36—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks
    • H01B7/365—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks being indicia imposed on the insulation or conductor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to laser marking and specifically, but not exclusively, concerns laser marking of aircraft cables.
  • the electrical cables used in aircraft are high quality cables in which an electrical conductor is covered by a polymeric insulating layer, such as that sold under the trade mark KAPTON, and an outer layer for permitting marking of the cable.
  • the outer layer may take different forms eg. a tape of PTFE or ETFE wound on the cable, a dispersion containing PTFE or FEP in which the cable is dipped or an extrusion.
  • the current method of cable marking is hot stamp printing. This method has the disadvantage that it degrades the thermally insulating properties of the cable which can cause arc tracking.
  • infra-red lasers for cable marking.
  • One proposal involves coating cables in a proprietary coloured emulsion which changes colour when irradiated by a CO2 laser.
  • Another proposal is to include an extra outer layer on a cable which is coloured differently from the underlying layer and using an infra-red laser and a mark or laser scanning arrangement to remove parts of the extra layer to achieve the desired marking.
  • cable comprising an electrical conductor surrounded by a polymeric insulating layer containing a photosensitive substance permitting marking of the cable by an intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation.
  • a cable according to the present invention may comprise only a single insulating layer thus enabling weight and cost savings in comparison with known high quality cables such as those used on aircraft.
  • the photosensitive substance may be titanium dioxide, which is presently used as a pigment or filler.
  • the insulating layer contains between up to 20% by weight of the photosensitive substance and preferably up to 5% by weight. It is thought that around 4% by weight may be the chosen amount.
  • an article to be marked will be made so that the amount of the photosensitive substance in a surface layer of the article is enhanced relative to the remainder of the article.
  • the insulating layer may be made from polyimide and specifically may be made of the material sold under the trade mark KAPTON.
  • titanium dioxide it is thought that alternatives to titanium dioxide are possible and that, for example, zinc dioxide or tin dioxide may be suitable photosensitive substances for use in a cable according to the present invention.
  • a method of marking a cable such as an electrical cable using an intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation.
  • a laser source is used although a very intense UV flashlamp may be an alternative.
  • the method comprises irradiating the cable with an excimer laser, eg. a krypton fluoride (KrF) laser.
  • an excimer laser eg. a krypton fluoride (KrF) laser.
  • KrF krypton fluoride
  • a mask may be used to define the required marking.
  • aspects of the present invention are applicable to articles other than electrical cables for aircraft.
  • the invention may be applicable to fibre optic cables or to tubes housing such cables and to a variety of articles other than cables

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
  • Insulated Conductors (AREA)

Abstract

A method of marking a cable, such as an electrical cable for aircraft, using an excimer laser. The cable may contain a photosensitive substance such as titanium dioxide for permitting laser marking of the cable.

Description

  • The present invention relates to laser marking and specifically, but not exclusively, concerns laser marking of aircraft cables.
  • The electrical cables used in aircraft are high quality cables in which an electrical conductor is covered by a polymeric insulating layer, such as that sold under the trade mark KAPTON, and an outer layer for permitting marking of the cable. The outer layer may take different forms eg. a tape of PTFE or ETFE wound on the cable, a dispersion containing PTFE or FEP in which the cable is dipped or an extrusion.
  • It is general practice in the aircraft industry to mark individual electrical cables repeatedly along their length with identification numbers before assembling the cables into looks for installation on an aircraft.
  • The current method of cable marking is hot stamp printing. This method has the disadvantage that it degrades the thermally insulating properties of the cable which can cause arc tracking.
  • It has also been proposed to use infra-red lasers for cable marking. One proposal involves coating cables in a proprietary coloured emulsion which changes colour when irradiated by a CO₂ laser. Another proposal is to include an extra outer layer on a cable which is coloured differently from the underlying layer and using an infra-red laser and a mark or laser scanning arrangement to remove parts of the extra layer to achieve the desired marking.
  • According to the present invention we provide cable comprising an electrical conductor surrounded by a polymeric insulating layer containing a photosensitive substance permitting marking of the cable by an intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation.
  • Advantageously, a cable according to the present invention may comprise only a single insulating layer thus enabling weight and cost savings in comparison with known high quality cables such as those used on aircraft.
  • The photosensitive substance may be titanium dioxide, which is presently used as a pigment or filler. Preferably, the insulating layer contains between up to 20% by weight of the photosensitive substance and preferably up to 5% by weight. It is thought that around 4% by weight may be the chosen amount.
  • It is possible that an article to be marked will be made so that the amount of the photosensitive substance in a surface layer of the article is enhanced relative to the remainder of the article.
  • The insulating layer may be made from polyimide and specifically may be made of the material sold under the trade mark KAPTON.
  • It is thought that alternatives to titanium dioxide are possible and that, for example, zinc dioxide or tin dioxide may be suitable photosensitive substances for use in a cable according to the present invention.
  • According to another aspect of the present invention we provide a method of marking a cable such as an electrical cable using an intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation. Preferably, a laser source is used although a very intense UV flashlamp may be an alternative.
  • Preferably the method comprises irradiating the cable with an excimer laser, eg. a krypton fluoride (KrF) laser. A mask may be used to define the required marking.
  • It is found that an excimer laser operating between 100mJcm⁻² and 6Jcm⁻² marks aircraft cables without causing deterioration of the marked surface. Relatively low power excimer lasers can be used for cable marking thus providing a relatively economic and non-aggressive method of cable marking.
  • It should be understood that aspects of the present invention are applicable to articles other than electrical cables for aircraft. For example, the invention may be applicable to fibre optic cables or to tubes housing such cables and to a variety of articles other than cables

Claims (8)

1. A cable comprising an electrical conductor surrounded by a polymeric insulating layer containing a photosensitive substance permitting marking of the cable by intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation.
2. A cable according to claim 1 comprising a single insulating layer surrounding the electrical conductor.
3. A cable according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the photosensitive substance is titanium dioxide.
4. A cable according to any preceding claim wherein the insulating layer contains up to 20% by weight of the photosensitive substance.
5. A cable according to claim 4 wherein the insulating layer contains up to 5% by weight of the photosensitive substance.
6. A method of marking a cable such as an electrical cable using an intensive source of ultra-violet or visible radiation.
7. A method according to claim 6 comprising using a laser source.
8. A method according to claim 7 comprising using an excimer laser.
EP19880305585 1988-02-05 1988-06-17 Laser marking Ceased EP0329884A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8802683A GB2215116B (en) 1988-02-05 1988-02-05 A method of marking a cable or tube with a laser.
GB8802683 1988-02-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0329884A1 true EP0329884A1 (en) 1989-08-30

Family

ID=10631185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880305585 Ceased EP0329884A1 (en) 1988-02-05 1988-06-17 Laser marking

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0329884A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2215116B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0400305A2 (en) † 1989-05-27 1990-12-05 Hüls Aktiengesellschaft Laser markable polymerous materials
FR2656734A1 (en) * 1990-01-03 1991-07-05 Filotex Sa ELECTRIC OR FIBER OPTIC CABLE MARKABLE BY SEVERAL TYPES OF LASERS.
EP0447032A2 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 British Aerospace Public Limited Company A laser markable white pigment composition
EP0508695A2 (en) * 1991-04-09 1992-10-14 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cable handling and preparation apparatus
WO1995023417A1 (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-08-31 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Laser marking of fluoropolymer composition
WO1999048114A1 (en) * 1998-03-20 1999-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Sheath
DE10137432C1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-04-17 Ccs Technology Inc Optical waveguide with a marking and method for producing such an optical waveguide
AU2002237656B2 (en) * 2000-11-21 2007-01-04 Tyco Electronics Corporation Pigments and compositions for use in laser marking
US9881714B2 (en) 2014-06-19 2018-01-30 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Laser-markable insulation material for wire or cable assemblies
US10256009B2 (en) 2014-06-19 2019-04-09 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Laser-markable insulation material for wire or cable assemblies
US10687588B2 (en) 2014-10-22 2020-06-23 3M Innovative Properties Company Printed components and methods for making the same

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5501827A (en) * 1993-01-29 1996-03-26 Garlock Inc. Laser markable polytetrafluoroethylene resin material and method of making
US5697390A (en) * 1993-01-29 1997-12-16 Coltec Industries Inc Process for producing filled polytetrafluoroethylene resin composite materials and products
US7008989B2 (en) 2000-11-14 2006-03-07 Coltec Industrial Products, Inc. Abrasion-resistant polytetrafluoroethylene tape

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1199574A (en) * 1966-11-04 1970-07-22 Midland Silicones Ltd Silicone Rubber
DE2323799A1 (en) * 1973-05-11 1974-11-28 Kabel Metallwerke Ghh Marking elongated articles eg plastics-coated cables - by radiation-polymerising a coloured monomer coating soln. on the article
FR2617325A1 (en) * 1987-06-25 1988-12-30 Aerospatiale Electrical cable, especially for an aircraft

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1665452A1 (en) * 1967-09-30 1971-01-21 Wiederhold Fa Hermann Wires, especially transmission conductors
CA1104300A (en) * 1976-11-17 1981-06-30 Phillips Cables Limited Masterbatch pellets
NL8001731A (en) * 1980-03-25 1981-10-16 Philips Nv METHOD FOR MARKING A PLASTIC SURFACE AND ARTICLE INCLUDING A MARKED PLASTIC SURFACE
DE3147230A1 (en) * 1981-11-28 1983-06-09 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München Method for applying characters to an elongated object
FR2602904B1 (en) * 1986-08-05 1989-12-01 Filotex Sa LASER MARKABLE ELECTRIC CABLE

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1199574A (en) * 1966-11-04 1970-07-22 Midland Silicones Ltd Silicone Rubber
DE2323799A1 (en) * 1973-05-11 1974-11-28 Kabel Metallwerke Ghh Marking elongated articles eg plastics-coated cables - by radiation-polymerising a coloured monomer coating soln. on the article
FR2617325A1 (en) * 1987-06-25 1988-12-30 Aerospatiale Electrical cable, especially for an aircraft

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0400305A2 (en) † 1989-05-27 1990-12-05 Hüls Aktiengesellschaft Laser markable polymerous materials
EP0400305B2 (en) † 1989-05-27 2001-03-21 Degussa-Hüls Aktiengesellschaft Laser markable polymerous materials
FR2656734A1 (en) * 1990-01-03 1991-07-05 Filotex Sa ELECTRIC OR FIBER OPTIC CABLE MARKABLE BY SEVERAL TYPES OF LASERS.
EP0436221A1 (en) * 1990-01-03 1991-07-10 FILOTEX S.A. dite Laser-markable cable
US5111523A (en) * 1990-01-03 1992-05-05 Filotex Laser-markable optical fiber or electric cable
EP0447032A2 (en) * 1990-03-15 1991-09-18 British Aerospace Public Limited Company A laser markable white pigment composition
EP0447032A3 (en) * 1990-03-15 1992-05-13 British Aerospace Public Limited Company A laser markable white pigment composition
US5206280A (en) * 1990-03-15 1993-04-27 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Laser markable white pigment composition
EP0508695A3 (en) * 1991-04-09 1993-05-12 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cable handling and preparation apparatus
US5247732A (en) * 1991-04-09 1993-09-28 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cable handling and preparation apparatus
EP0508695A2 (en) * 1991-04-09 1992-10-14 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cable handling and preparation apparatus
WO1995023417A1 (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-08-31 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Laser marking of fluoropolymer composition
US5560845A (en) * 1994-02-28 1996-10-01 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Laser marking of fluoropolymer composition
WO1999048114A1 (en) * 1998-03-20 1999-09-23 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Sheath
AU2002237656B2 (en) * 2000-11-21 2007-01-04 Tyco Electronics Corporation Pigments and compositions for use in laser marking
DE10137432C1 (en) * 2001-07-31 2003-04-17 Ccs Technology Inc Optical waveguide with a marking and method for producing such an optical waveguide
US9881714B2 (en) 2014-06-19 2018-01-30 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Laser-markable insulation material for wire or cable assemblies
US10256009B2 (en) 2014-06-19 2019-04-09 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Laser-markable insulation material for wire or cable assemblies
US10687588B2 (en) 2014-10-22 2020-06-23 3M Innovative Properties Company Printed components and methods for making the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8802683D0 (en) 1988-03-02
GB2215116B (en) 1992-07-29
GB2215116A (en) 1989-09-13

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PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

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Effective date: 19880714

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Effective date: 19920408

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Owner name: BRITISH AEROSPACE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

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18R Application refused

Effective date: 19940321