Extrusion Line Laser Coding & Cutting
Laser marking plastic and aluminum extrusion is a non-contact process for creating permanent high-contrast identifiable symbols. Laser mark barcodes, text and more using our on-the-fly marking technology. Replace continuous inkjet printers with CMS laser technology.
Lasers for Extrusion Lines
Extrusion is a high-volume manufacturing process, during which raw materials are melted and formed into continuous profiles. It produces items like plastic pipes and other tubing, window frames, thermoplastic coatings, wire insulation, aluminum tubing and more. Many of these products require high speed, accurate part marking, cutting, or drilling.
Our laser technology enables manufacturers with the ability to produce high contrast markings on plastic and metal surfaces at line speeds. This technology is called laser marking on-the-fly, a process that tracks the speed of the product moving under the laser while simultaneously adjusting marking parameters.
Extrusion Line Laser Technology
High speed laser marking and cutting solutions with over 40 years of experience
Laser Marking On-The-Fly
When it comes to extrusion lines, laser marking machines must mark extruded material that is constantly moving. Having pioneered on-the-fly marking technology many decades ago, our technology features closed loop feedback to accurately track and mark parts as they travel past the laser field. These systems account for variations in line speed and can incorporate machine vision to validate part placement and process quality.
Extrusion lines often run 24 hours a day, seven days a week where you cannot afford to have a marking system that stops unexpectedly. Our machines are designed to withstand continuous high speed operation in harsh environments and are rigorously tested in our facility to meet the demands of the extrusion industry.
Laser Cutting On-The-Fly
Laser cutting machines can also be used in specific situations where the material is thin enough for the laser to penetrate. Products such as thin plastic films and sheets can be cut after the extrusion process.
Which Laser Do You Need?
The type of laser you’ll need ultimately depends on the chemical properties of the plastic, the color, and the desired quality you are trying to achieve. The color of the plastic plays a role in the absorption rate of the laser photons, that’s why we recommend every client to send in their production ready materials for our laser applications lab to analyze with our plethora of laser sources we have in-house.
Laser Marking Machines
For some extruded plastics, a fiber laser will be sufficient in producing a legible marking. However, ultraviolet, and green lasers are more versatile and can mark a wider range of plastics.
Laser Cutting Machines
Typically, a CO2 laser is used for cutting thin plastic tubing and sheets. Similarly, to marking, ultraviolet and green lasers will produce the cleanest of cuts and have a much smaller laser spot size for creating micro holes and cuts.
Extrusion Line Vision
Incorporating machine vision into the extrusion line process becomes crucial when precise positioning of marks or cuts is paramount. Clients often demand their markings to be accurately placed between colored stripes on their pipes. By utilizing vision technology, the system can effectively track this positioning, promptly notifying the operator if the extruded tubing deviates from alignment.
Extrusion Line Solutions
Since 1983, CMS Laser has designed and built a wide range of marking and cutting machines for clients in the agricultural, oil and gas, and aerospace industries.
Solutions We’ve Built:
- Green laser marking system for marking large diameter black and yellow plastic pipes
- Fiber laser marking system for marking information on medium diameter power and fiber optic cable conduits
- CO2 laser cutting system for creating slits in thin-walled irrigation tubing, commonly known as drip tape
- Fiber laser marking system for heat shrink tubing for electrical cables
Our experience with extrusion line clients over 40 years makes us the best choice when it comes to on-the-fly marking and cutting laser technology.
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Pioneers of On-the-Fly Marking & Cutting Laser Technology
From laser marking text to cutting slits in thin plastics
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The Absolute Best Customer Service Around
Working with the entire Control Micro Systems team on our project was a pleasure. CMS was capable of meeting and exceeding our goals. They successfully designed and built a machine which increased our throughput by 550%! We are so glad we chose to move forward with CMS.
In the three years ACR has owned the CMS laser, it has worked flawlessly. In the few instances where ACR needed support in programming, CMS was quick to respond.
CMS have been excellent partners in the development of new, complex equipment for our business. CMS built multiple machines for us. Each machine had a different purpose, however the CMS team worked openly & honestly with us to agree on optimal solutions for each one.
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