When it comes to safely and permanently adding identification marks to wires and cables, ultraviolet (UV) lasers are a top choice. Their remarkable photochemical process ensures precision and durability in marking various insulation colors. When titanium dioxide is introduced into insulation, it enhances their ability to create dark, high-contrast markings. UV lasers are indispensable for wire and cable marking applications where precision and long-lasting quality are essential.
Laser systems can be configured to mark wire at very high speeds on a variety of materials. Because laser marking technology doesn’t use inks or masks, there’s no waste. Laser wire marking is the gold standard for wire manufacturers in the following industries:
- Aerospace Wire Standards – In aerospace (SAE AS5649 standards), marking white wires requires the use of UV lasers. They don’t deeply penetrate insulation, crucial for safety and performance.
- Medical Wires & Cables – Laser wire marking provides a clean and adaptable solution for medical-grade cables and guide wires. Wire marking with UV lasers offer exceptional precision, enabling the creation of highly precise marks. These marks can resist wear and withstand multiple cleaning cycles, keeping important information readable for the entire life of the product.
- Catheter Marking – Marking catheters is much like marking wires. Depending on the material used, you can achieve smooth, flush marks on catheter surfaces.
- Other Industries – Lasers are good for marking wires in telecom/datacom, automotive, transportation, military, and general electronics.
On-the-Fly Wire Marking
Our OTF technology is capable of marking wires at a fast pace. It can mark wires at a rate of 600 feet per minute or even more. The speed may vary depending on the insulation material and the specific data marking requirements. There are two ways to achieve this.
One way is by using encoders on the motors that pull the wire. The other way is by attaching them directly to your extruder. Our engineers also utilize this technology for marking extruded plastic gas pipes and large diameter conduits. Sample principle, but with larger diameter profiles that are in continual motion.
Wire Mark, Strip, and Cut Laser System
UV Laser Wire Marking System
Machine Vision
Our advanced machine vision technology can locate the wire to ensure correct positioning. Vision can also track elements on the wire, like stripes, and mark between them using a laser.
Different Insulation Colors
Certain insulation materials or wire colors may not react well to UV light. As a result, they may not produce the desired high-contrast mark. Our Applications Lab can work with you to suggest the correct laser wavelength for your specific job.
In addition, our specialists can also design UV laser wire marking machines that:
- Handle more than one diameter.
- Include wire stripping and cutting.
- Process serialized data such as distance marks, date codes and, in some cases, bar codes. You can customize serialization as needed to change along the wire and/or between different wire types.
Turnkey Wire Marking Solutions
At CMS Laser, we have extensive expertise designing and manufacturing laser wire marking systems and equipment. Our engineers can create a custom system tailored to your needs, whether it’s for reel-to-reel marking, tray-based setups, or other wire loading and unloading configurations.
To learn more about laser wire marking systems, view our product page.
For more information, contact us.
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