RU2777710C1 - Method and apparatus for laser marking of plastic labels - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: labels.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser marking of plastic labels. Method for laser marking of plastic labels, including the stages of: providing at least one plastic label intended for marking; providing a marking laser, wherein the marking laser constitutes a diode laser containing at least one laser diode; and marking the plastic label by laser marking using the marking laser.

EFFECT: increase in the efficiency and setting of marking.

10 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for laser marking plastic labels.

Terminal blocks for electrical installations, such as, for example, terminal blocks installed in switch cabinets, are often identified or labelled, respectively, with plastic labels. These labels can be marked profiles that are positively clamped in the socket provided on the terminal block. Such labels are marked or, respectively, they are printed, for example, in marking devices specially provided for this.

Known marking devices often mean high operating costs for the end user, such as laser marking or the consumption of manufacturer-specific toner or ink cartridges.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for laser marking plastic labels, enabling economical, efficient laser marking of labels.

The technical problem described above is solved by the method according to claim 1 of the claims and the device according to claim 9 of the claims. Additional embodiments of the invention follow from the dependent claims and the following description.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for laser marking plastic labels, comprising the following steps: providing at least one plastic label for marking; providing a marking laser, the marking laser being a diode laser comprising at least one laser diode and having no additional laser active medium such as an active fiber or the like; marking of a plastic label by laser marking with a marking laser.

In this case, the use of a diode laser provides the advantage of being able to economically and efficiently laser mark plastic labels. In this case, the marking is carried out, in particular, by the fact that the plastic of the plastic label changes color due to the input of laser energy.

When referring to a plastic label here, it can be, for example, a multi-layer material with an adhesive or adhesive layer, such as a sheet of labels, a roll of labels or the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the plastic label is in particular a label that can be molded, for example, by injection molding, from a solid material, and has structural elements for attaching to the terminals of electrical equipment. A plurality of such labels may be provided, for example, as one unit in the form of a card or web, from which individual labels or a plurality of interconnected labels may be separated.

The labels may comprise, for example, a surface intended for marking, wherein protruding structural elements such as collars, locking hooks or the like. may be provided on the side of the label that faces away from the labeling surface. Structural elements, in particular, are adapted to be positively inserted into grooves or undercuts, for example, of terminal blocks, in order to achieve a positively and/or forcefully connected connection between the terminal and the corresponding label. In other words, such a label can be fixed to the terminal by means of a snap connection or a clamp connection.

The deflection of the beam to control the beam of the marking laser can be carried out by means of a galvanic scanner or by providing axial drives to move the radiation source or, respectively, the optics and/or the label.

It may be envisaged that two or more plastic labels to be labeled are provided and marked, the plastic labels being provided as an ordered, standardized structural composite such as a label roll, a label sheet, a label tree, a label card or the like. In this way, a plurality of labels can be labeled one after the other in an efficient manner.

It can be provided that after the marking, the labels, first provided as a structural composite, are automatically separated. Thus, for example, individual labels can be detached from the structural composite so that they can be mounted separately from other labels stored on the structural composite.

For example, if a label card is provided that accommodates a plurality of labels arranged in a grid in rows and columns, then individual portions of the row or column may be separated and assembled from the structural composite of the label card. For example, a plurality of labels arranged in a single row may be mounted together on a terminal block, said labels being separated from one label card. In this way, efficient marking and mounting can be carried out.

The label card may contain labels having structural and/or clamping elements for positive and/or power locking on a wire or, respectively, a cable or a hose. Thus, the label may have a clip, a hook, an eyelet or the like to enable positive and/or forceful fastening on a wire or cable or hose, respectively.

In particular, it can be provided that each individual label has such a structural and/or clamping element as an integral component.

Thus, according to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the plastic labels in the structural composite are arranged in rows and/or columns. The individual labels can be connected to one another by means of predetermined tear or separation points, along which the individual labels can be separated from one another in a simple manner manually or automatically.

According to another embodiment of the method, it is provided that the plastic label contains one of the following plastics: polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin, or the plastic label consists of one of the following plastics: polyamide, polycarbonate , polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin. In principle, any plastic material can be used as a material for a plastic label, the color of which can be changed to create an inscription as a result of the input of energy by means of a diode laser.

It can be provided that the wavelength of the marking laser lies in the range from 375 nm to 2000 nm, and in particular it can be provided that the wavelength of the marking laser is from 375 to 690 nm, furthermore in particular from 690 nm to 2000 nm. These boundary areas should be considered as related to areas.

The marking laser can be an edge or surface emitter. The power of the marking laser can be 0.01 watt - 100 watt. In this way, efficient marking of plastic labels can be achieved.

In order to enable a simple and economical provision of a plastic label, it can be provided that, according to another embodiment of the method, the plastic label and the marking surface of the plastic label consist of the same plastic, which is directly marked by means of a marking laser. Thus, the label can be made from a solid material in one piece. In this case, the surface to be marked, in particular, does not have a film substrate, a coating or the like, but changes color directly as a result of the input of energy from the marking laser.

The plastic label may be a solid injection molded label containing structural and/or clamping elements for attaching to electrical equipment terminals.

The plastic label may be an injection molded solid label containing structural and/or clamping elements for attaching to wires, cables or hoses of electrical equipment.

The plastic label discussed herein may include, for example, a labeling surface 5 mm wide or less and 11 mm high or less.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for laser marking plastic labels, having a device for providing a plastic label intended for marking, such as a support surface, a feeder or the like, a marking laser, the marking laser being a diode laser comprising at least one a laser diode and not having an additional laser active medium such as an active fiber or the like.

Said device is particularly adapted to carry out the method described above.

This device makes it possible to effectively and economically label plastic labels.

In order to enable the mobile and flexible use of said device, another version of the device is characterized by the presence of a battery, wherein the marking laser is powered by a battery. Of course, the entire device can be configured to be powered by a battery. The battery may in particular be a fixed or replaceable battery. Of course, alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to be powered from the mains.

The laser marking device may be a mobile device with a weight of 10 kg or less, in particular a weight of 5 kg or less, furthermore in particular a weight of 2 kg or less. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be a mobile device whose length, width and height dimensions are each less than 1 m.

It may be envisaged that the device comprises a separating device capable of separating from the structural composite standardized plastic labels provided by being positioned in the structural composite.

For example, the separating device may be configured to separate from the structural composite one or a plurality of plastic labels stored in rows and columns on a label sheet or label card to form a single unit, eg, mounted on a terminal block.

Therefore, individual labels and/or strips of labels, in particular, can be automatically and economically provided, which can then be mounted automatically or manually, for example, on a terminal block or other parts of electrical equipment.

Below the invention is described in more detail with the help of drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention. Each of the drawings schematically shows the following:

fig. 1A shows a plastic label intended for marking;

fig. 1B shows the marking laser and the marking of the plastic label of FIG. 1A;

fig. 1C shows the plastic label compartment.

First, a plastic label 2 is provided for marking. In this case, a plurality of plastic labels 2 intended for marking are provided in an ordered, standardized structural composite in the form of a label card 4 . Along the horizontal and vertical tear lines 6 of the label card 4, predetermined tear locations are formed to facilitate separation of the labels 2 after inscription.

As can be seen from FIG. 1B, a marking laser 8 is provided for writing on the label card 4. In this case, the marking laser 8 is a diode laser containing a laser diode and no additional laser active medium such as an active fiber or the like.

The label card 4 is moved past the marking laser 8 by means of the feeder 10 in the process indicated by the arrow and is inscribed or marked. In this case, the label card 4 consists of a single plastic, which also consists of the marking surface 12 of the respective plastic label 2. The marking or inscription is carried out by the fact that the plastic of the plastic label 2 changes color as a result of the input of energy from the marking device. laser 8.

After labeling, the labels 2 are automatically separated by the separator device 14.

Shown in FIG. 1B, the laser marking device 16, comprising the marking laser 8, the feeding device 10, and the separating device 14, is a battery-powered device 16, powered by also a built-in battery 18.

In FIG. 1C, by way of example, three variants are shown illustrating the separation of the card 4 into individual labels 2 along horizontal and vertical predetermined tear lines 6 .

Reference designations

2 plastic label

4 label card

6 break lines

8 marking laser

10 feeder

12 surface

14 disconnecting device

16 laser marking device

18 battery

Claims (10)

1. A method for laser marking plastic labels, comprising the following steps: providing at least one intended for marking plastic labels (2); providing a marking laser (8), wherein the marking laser (8) is a diode laser (8) containing at least one laser diode, and marking a plastic label (2) by laser marking with a marking laser, wherein two or more plastic labels (2) intended for marking, wherein the plastic labels (2) are provided in the form of an ordered, standardized structural composite (4) and the individual labels are connected to each other via predetermined tear or separation points. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the labels (2) are automatically separated after marking. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plastic labels (2) in the structural composite (4) are arranged in rows and/or columns. 4. Method according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the plastic label (2) contains one of the following plastics: polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin, or a plastic label (2) consists of one of the following plastics: polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin. 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wavelength of the marking laser (8) is from 375 nm to 2000 nm, in particular from 375 to 690 nm, furthermore in particular from 690 nm to 2000 nm. and/or marking laser (8) is an edge or surface emitter. 6. Method according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the plastic label (2) and the marking surface (12) of the plastic label (2) consist of the same plastic, which is directly marked by means of a marking laser (8), moreover, the surface (12) intended for marking does not have a film substrate, coating or the like, and / or a plastic label is a label made of a solid material by injection molding and containing structural and / or clamping elements for fastening to electrical equipment terminals , and / or plastic label is a label made of a solid material by injection molding and containing structural and / or clamping elements for fastening to wires, cables or hoses of electrical equipment. 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic label (2) comprises a labeling surface (12) 5 mm wide or less and 11 mm high or less. 8. A device for laser marking plastic labels, comprising a device for providing a plastic label intended for marking, such as a support surface, a feeding device (10) or the like, and a marking laser (8), wherein the marking laser (8) is a diode laser , containing at least one laser diode, and containing plastic labels (2), wherein two or more plastic labels intended for marking are provided, wherein the plastic labels (2) are provided in the form of an ordered, standardized structural composite (4), and individual labels are connected with each other through predetermined separation or separation points. 9. Device according to claim 8, further comprising a battery (18), wherein the marking laser (8) is powered by the battery. 10. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a separating device (14) configured to separate from the structural composite (4) standardized labels (2) provided by being positioned in the structural composite (4).

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