You might already be familiar with how laser marking works. It uses a laser beam to create marks on various objects, as usual. You can print text, designs, or pictures on different surfaces using this strategy. However, the type of laser marking may vary in this case, and fly laser marking is one of the most popular.
In the static laser marking method, the object remains stationary. But in a fly laser marking machine, the object moves in a direction. Because of this, people also call this process on-the-fly laser marking. You will learn more about this shortly.
The on-the-fly marking technique changed the manufacturing world. In modern manufacturing, fly laser marking is widely prevalent for all-purpose marking work. The same demand can be observed in the beverage industry.
Beverage bottles can be of various types and shapes. Marking these bottles using old methods might be challenging and make the process more expensive. In this case, fly marking is an excellent solution.
This article mainly discusses fly laser marking applications in the beverage industry. You will learn how this method works and why it is needed in this field. However, this guide can help fresh entrepreneurs learn why fly marking is a good idea. They can use this method in their business plans to get better results.
What is Fly Laser Marking?
“Fly” means the object used in this marking process is flying, which technically means “moving.” So, fly laser marking means moving laser marking. In other words, people also call it automated laser marking or conveyor laser marking. However, like other marking work, this method is also used for printing text and designs.
The introduction may have given hints about static vs. fly laser marking. The main difference between them is how the object is marked. In static marking, the object remains stationary. And every time you mark it, you may have to do it manually.
On the other hand, the fly marking method is more convenient. You have to adjust the controller parameters. In this case, two parameters are the most critical. The first one is the delay time after the sensor senses the object. The second one is the conveyor’s moving direction.
There are various types of flying laser marking machines. The type may vary based on object material and marking type. Generally, three types are widely used: fiber, CO2, and UV. (1) A flying fiber laser marking machine is ideal for marking metals. (2) A flying CO2 laser marking machine is ideal for non-metals.
This automatic feature makes fly laser marking machines widely popular in manufacturing. They can mark any product, including those in the food and beverage industry.
Fly Laser Marking for the Beverage Sector
The beverage business is vast and includes many different products. From pure drinking water to liquor, people depend heavily on this industry. Every beverage company follows unique strategies to improve its customer reach.
For example, not every beverage bottle looks the same. Each one and the labeling design on the top of the bottle are also different. Also, you will see different bottle sizes. Bottles ranging from 25-50 ml to 5-10 liters are available on the market.
This industry can be classified into various categories. Soft drinks include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, Mountain Dew, and more. Wine, whiskey, and brandy are all alcoholic drinks. Energy drinks, juices, and other drinks are a particular category.
The packaging material for each beverage is also different. People often use glass, plastic, and aluminum for most beverages we drink every day. The glass is a popular material for liquor items. It is inert and helps preserve the beverage’s taste. On the other hand, aluminum cans are used for Cokes, Pepsis, and Fanta. Plastic bottles are ideal for water, juice, and energy drinks.
When you look closely at these bottles, you will find some numbers & letters engraved on them. I am not talking about the wraps on the bottle but instead the engraved information on the bottle cap or under the bottle. Most of the time, it is the manufacture date and expiry date. For some bottles, you may also find batch numbers and other information.
Labeling this information using the traditional method is challenging. Because of this, most modern factories prefer to fly laser printers for this work.
How Does Fly Laser Marking Work
Fly Laser Marking is a dynamic process. It marks an object while it’s in motion. Thus, this method is also called automatic laser marking or conveyor laser marking. Whether you want to start a beverage business, a fly laser marking machine can greatly help you.
You know how crucial regulatory compliance is. You must include some information about your beverage bottle. The most critical info is the production & expiry date, batch number, and import information.
A fly laser printer can create permanent marks on glass, plastic, or aluminum. You can use these benefits to mark the mentioned information on beverage bottles.
Step-by-step Process of Laser Marking On The Fly
Let’s be more specific to make this discussion easier. Suppose you have a beverage factory selling drinking water in plastic bottles. You can use the Flying Online CO2 laser marking machine from HiSpeed Laser to mark the production and expiry date. Note that the CO2 laser is the best laser for non-metals. However, if you are marking metals, using a fiber laser marking machine is better.
Step #1 Preparing the Machine
First, set up your flying laser marking machine. You can do this at your convenience. Yet, a few factors must be considered here. (1) Make sure the conveyor belt is running smoothly. When you place the bottles, there is no risk of falling or misalignment. Alignment is very important for laser marking on beverage bottles. (2) You must also think of safety measures. The operator must wear protective gear since this process deals with laser beams.
Step #2 Loading the Design and Data
At the beginning of this step, make sure that each cable is properly installed in the machine. Then, you can turn on the device. After that, load your project design and data on the display that came with the machine. In most cases, you can design product information directly on this display.
Note that all HiSpeed Laser Machines come with a user-friendly UI. You can find more than 20 languages, and the functions are easy to understand. If you still need help, feel free to contact our customer support.
Step #3 Adjusting Laser Parameters and Sensor Data
Once the design and data are ready, open the laser settings. Now, change the laser settings to match your project needs. In this case, you can use the standard settings for plastic. However, in addition to the laser settings, you must include the conveyor information with the settings. Things to remember here are delay time, conveyor belt speed, and direction.
Step #4 Laser Marking on Plastic Bottles
Once you are ready, you can start the device. The laser marking machine won’t activate laser marking unless the sensor detects an object. For testing, you can put one scrap plastic bottle on the conveyor. Check whether the machine works as expected. The flying laser marking machine should work in the following three steps:
(1) As soon as you place a plastic bottle on the conveyor, it moves forward. When it reaches the sensor, the sensor sends a signal to the machine. This signal basically tells the machine that a plastic bottle is ready for marking.
(2) As the signal is sent to the machine, the machine starts counting the delay time. This delay time is the distance of the laser gun from the position of the sensor, along with the speed of the conveyor belt. After the delay time is over, the laser is activated, and the marking begins.
(3) Once the laser machine is activated, it begins doing its job. The flying laser marking machine hits the laser beam at a specific location. Among the six main techniques, the foaming technique is used for plastic materials. The laser beam melts the plastic in the target area. Then, the molten plastic in that area creates many tiny bubbles, forming a white marking.
(4) This process continues until the flying laser marking machine gets the final bottle.
Why Working with A Fly Laser Marking Machine is a Good Idea
Fly Laser Marking is suitable for high-volume production. This device can be used to mark information on the same type of products. However, here are some reasons why fly laser marking is a good decision.
High Speed and Efficiency
The fly laser printer can do its job seamlessly. You don’t have to turn it off or manually change settings for every product. Instead, you can insert the design and data and watch the process until it is done.
Cost-effectiveness
Unlike traditional injectors, laser machines don’t require ink. They are also fast and accurate. Overall, they are a cost-effective solution for marking a mass volume of products.
Flexibility and Versatility
Fly laser marking machines are highly flexible. You can change and adjust the design and data using user-friendly software. These laser machines are also highly versatile. You can create marks on almost all types of solid materials. However, fly laser marking is mainly used in the beverage industry for glass, plastic, and metal marking.
Get in Touch With Us!
Are you looking for a suitable fly laser marking machine? HiSpeed Laser produces all three types of fly laser marking machines. Contact us, and let’s discuss your project. Our team of experts will present you with the best-suited machine for your project.