How high powered laser coders help meet high line-speed requirements

Large scale manufacturers with high volume output often require high speed production lines to meet their targets. It’s therefore essential that all components on a line are able to perform at the same high standard, avoiding any bottlenecks. Consider the other components of your line and the speed at which your coder can operate.  Can your coder keep up?

In this article, we'll look at how high powered laser coders are essential for high output applications, and how they provide reliability and quality of coding.

Why laser power is important

Linx offers a wide range of laser coders, but what sets them apart? A major difference in the range is the varying powers of the lasers. More powerful laser coders mean that a higher line speed can be achieved, because powerful lasers can apply a permanent mark more quickly than a lower powered laser coder, even on materials such as glass or rubber which are generally hard to mark.

The combination of speed and power also means the laser can code more information onto the product in a shorter time. As a result, you can still meet your line-speed requirements with a high speed laser coder like the Linx SLHP, even if your coded messages include multiple lines or incorporate complex shapes such as QR codes or logos.

High power and speed means high quality coding

High speed coding also results in better quality coding. That’s because a shorter dwell time is needed for the laser to make a mark, which reduces the risk of outside interference during coding. As a result, codes are much more crisp and accurate, an important consideration for applications where code quality is key. For example, premium products such as perfume or spirit bottles may require logos etched flawlessly onto them, as well as ensuring the readability of complex codes such as data matrix code, QR codes or multiple lines of code. A code is a necessity but there is no reason why it should compromise the overall quality of your packaging – laser coding meets your traceability requirements but also at a quality high enough to meet your customers’ expectations.

Reliable laser coding

Reliability is a key prerequisite for meeting high-line speed requirements. Whenever a coder needs to stop for unscheduled maintenance, products cannot be completed, stopping productivity. Like all Linx printers, the newly launched Linx SLHP has been designed to provide reliable coding in several ways.

1. For reliable coding, the coder needs to be suitable for the production environment, which may be wet or dusty. Without adequate protection from such harsh environments, coders can breakdown, jeopardising your high line speed targets. In these production environments, it’s essential to choose an IP56 rated coder, such as the Linx SLHP.
2. For high volume output, the coder must be designed with a long life in mind, being able to handle high speed coding up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Linx SLHP has been designed to make efficient use of its laser source so it doesn’t need to run at 100% all of the time. The result is that the life of the laser tube is extended, reducing maintenance requirements and improving reliability.
3. Cooling is another important consideration when it comes to reliability. Laser coders that require water or factory air for cooling, introduce additional ongoing consumable and maintenance costs and can cause reliability issues if the cooling system fails. By contrast, the Linx SLHP uses its own integrated air cooling system, improving reliability and keeping the line moving at high speed.

Choosing the right coder for high end applications

High speed or premium product applications require a robust coding solution to handle high demands, which the new Linx SLHP has been designed for.

As we have already discovered, laser power is important for speed and quality of coding. The 120 watt Linx SLHP laser makes it the fastest of its kind on the market, able to code over 70,000 bottles per hour. With speed comes high quality, meaning the Linx SLHP produces high quality codes on even the hardest of substrates, making the Linx SLHP the ideal choice for premium goods.

What’s more, the Linx SLHP supports static or ‘on the fly’ marking, making it versatile enough for a wide range of coding requirements.