EP0419377A1 - Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0419377A1
EP0419377A1 EP90420405A EP90420405A EP0419377A1 EP 0419377 A1 EP0419377 A1 EP 0419377A1 EP 90420405 A EP90420405 A EP 90420405A EP 90420405 A EP90420405 A EP 90420405A EP 0419377 A1 EP0419377 A1 EP 0419377A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
paint
marking
laser beam
laser
layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90420405A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0419377B1 (en
EP0419377B2 (en
Inventor
Jean Izoard
Louis-Claude Popon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BLANCOMME
Schneider Electric SE
Original Assignee
BLANCOMME
Merlin Gerin SA
Schneider Electric SE
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Priority claimed from FR8912557A external-priority patent/FR2652480B1/en
Priority claimed from FR8915853A external-priority patent/FR2654982B1/en
Application filed by BLANCOMME, Merlin Gerin SA, Schneider Electric SE filed Critical BLANCOMME
Publication of EP0419377A1 publication Critical patent/EP0419377A1/en
Publication of EP0419377B1 publication Critical patent/EP0419377B1/en
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Publication of EP0419377B2 publication Critical patent/EP0419377B2/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/267—Marking of plastic artifacts, e.g. with laser

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of laser beam marking of an insulating support arranged on a molded plastic casing of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible and automatic production line, the support or the area of marking of the support being coated in a first workstation with at least one layer of paint, having binders and pigments.
  • the laser beam acts as a source of energy applied punctually which causes a surface modification of the irradiated material, making appear a contrast with the adjacent zones not struck by the beam.
  • the laser marking can be done using a mask bearing the corresponding inscriptions, this mask having to be modified at each change of series or by guiding the laser beam, which rewrites under the control of a computer system such as the computer, the text on each piece. This last registration system is much more flexible since it allows a change of registrations almost instantaneously, but the marking rate is clearly lower.
  • the label of a contactor is produced by marking with a laser beam, which causes an attack on the plastic material, and a deterioration of the face of the housing.
  • the marking is controlled by a detector with contacts integrated in the contactor.
  • the object of the present invention is to allow registration by laser beam directly on a part produced on a flexible production line, and to improve the quality of the registration without degrading the part.
  • the marking method according to the invention is characterized in that: - said layer of paint is reactive to the laser thanks to a percentage of pigmentation sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser beam, - the paint layer is dried when passing through a drying tunnel arranged after the first work station, - the marking of variable inscriptions according to the series produced is then carried out at the end of the production line in a second work station by the action of the laser beam causing deterioration of the binder, or an etching of the paint which visualizes said marking, - the registration by moving the laser beam to the points to be engraved is controlled by a computer system of the automaton associated with the production line.
  • the placement on the part or the support to be engraved of one or more layers of paint or ink makes it possible to overcome the characteristics of the support, in particular its color and its reaction to the laser beam.
  • the reaction caused by the laser beam can be a chemical reaction of color change or vaporization of the paint or a physical reaction causing sufficient contrast.
  • the choice of colors and contrast can be increased by applying a second layer of paint with normal characteristics to the laser-sensitive paint layer.
  • the invention also relates to a marking device placed at the end of the production line and successively comprising a first station for applying a reactive laser paint followed by a drying tunnel and a second marking station having a laser beam source controlled by a computer beam guidance system.
  • the computer system is advantageously that of the production chain which tracks the product along its progress on the line and transmits to the marking device the data to be entered which correspond to the type of product present on the marking station.
  • a YAG laser it is advantageous to use a YAG laser, the flexibility of which is remarkable and the significant presence of pigments in the paint layer ensures the capture of the laser rays and their action on the paint or on certain components of the paint to obtain a contrast sufficient for marking.
  • Different pigments can be used, in particular mineral pigments such as metal oxides which have great stability at high temperature.
  • the pigmented layer is relatively thick, for example greater than 15 microns to form a screen preventing the rays from reaching the support or if they succeed in being sufficiently attenuated to be incapable of deterioration of the support.
  • the paint is with organic pigments the percentage of pigmentation by weight is of course significantly lower, for example a few percent and these pigments are broken down by the action of the laser beam.
  • the pigments naturally provide their usual protective and coloring function.
  • the invention also relates to a paint capable of being applied to the support to be marked with a laser beam, this paint being characterized in that the pigmentation of the layer of paint covering the support in the marking area is sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser rays and cause a deterioration of the binder or an etching of the paint which visualizes said marking.
  • This deterioration can result in an engraving, due to a removal or a modification of structure to the material and revealing a contrasted relief or by a change of color accentuating the contrast.
  • the two types of deterioration, in this case engraving and writing are present and complementary.
  • the use of polyurethane paint for the coating of the marking area gives remarkable results of finesse and control of inscriptions, as well as good adhesion and resistance of the paint, but other paints with different binders are usable, the important characteristics being the degree of pigmentation and the thickness of the layer.
  • the hardener of polyurethane paint is an isocyanate or other suitable hardener, the presence of which produces hardening and can affect the marking, especially when it succeeds quickly applying paint to the production line.
  • the pigments can be stable mineral pigments, in particular iron, titanium or chromium oxides, with a percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer greater than 40% and advantageously close to 60%. Organic pigments such as blue or green phthalocyanine are also suitable, the percentage by weight then being much lower, for example greater than 3%.
  • a production or assembly line diagrammatically represented by a product transporter 10 includes at the end of the chain a marking zone constituted by four successive stations 1,2,3,4.
  • the products 12 are electrical devices with molded insulating plastic casing such as devices from the range commercially known as Multi 9.
  • the front part of these devices bears inscriptions representative of the characteristics of the device manufactured or mounted on the chain 10.
  • the first station 1 on which the products 12 end is a station for applying a layer of paint 14 to the marking area of the product.
  • This paint can be applied by appropriate means, in particular by projection, by transfer, by transfer using an intermediate support, by an offset or pad printing process or by any other printing device in particular by screen printing.
  • the transfer can be carried out in the injection mold of the plastic case.
  • the mold comprises a device for unwinding a ribbon on which one or two layers of paint have previously been deposited.
  • the mold impressions are closed directly on the tape which resists the injection temperature of the plastic.
  • the paint comes into contact with the material which makes it melt and which forms a shell in the desired area.
  • the step-by-step advancement of the ribbon is linked to the mold closing system.
  • the paint can also be an ink or a varnish constituting a continuous coating on the marking area.
  • the paint used is a suitable paint reacting to the action of a laser beam so as to produce sufficient contrast for direct inscription on the product 12.
  • the product 12 coated with the layer of laser-reactive paint subsequently passes through a drying tunnel schematically represented by station 2 before arriving at a conventional marking station 3.
  • This marking station for example of the pad printing type, allows the affixing of constant inscriptions, that is to say inscriptions appearing on all products produced on the line.
  • the products 12 subsequently arrive at the last work station 4 which is a laser marking station constituted by a source of a laser beam causing the marking area to write variable data, that is to say data specific to each series of 12 products manufactured on the line.
  • the laser beam is advantageously guided by an automatic writing device controlled by the computer system for controlling the production line.
  • YAG or CO2 type laser beam hits layer 14 of paint reactive by causing a superficial reaction of the latter at the point of impact 16.
  • the displacement of the laser beam carries out the recording of the variable data.
  • the writing speed is fast enough to follow the production rate of line 10 and the control of the laser beam by the computer system allows an instant change of marking at the end of each production series. It is clear that the constant inscriptions can also be carried by the laser marking directly on the product which allows the elimination of the marking station 3 by pad printing.
  • the marking by guiding the laser beam can be replaced by a mask marking system which must be changed at the end of each series.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the reactive paint layer 14 is coated with an additional layer 18 of standard paint.
  • This additional coating can be carried out at the same work station 1 or on an additional station (not shown) in a manner well known to specialists.
  • the paint of the layer 18 is advantageously of a different color from that of the reactive paint 14 in order to have a difference in color between the external surface and the background of the etching produced by the laser beam.
  • the surface layer 18 can be removed by the action of the laser and makes the activated part of the layer 14 visible.
  • the surface layer 18 can be partially charred to associate its effect with the activated layer 14, resulting in a modification of the color.
  • the choice of reactive paint for laser beam is determined by the aesthetic and visual appearance of the marking sought and by the nature of the support generally made of plastic but may be of a different material.
  • the marking area is coated with a two-component gray polyurethane paint, the hardener being an isocyanate, and the percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer is greater than 40% and close to 60%.
  • the pigments are essentially titanium oxide and iron oxide, revealing after the laser marking a black writing on a gray background with a deep engraving which accentuates the contrast.
  • the marking essentially results from a deterioration of the paint binder caused by the absorption and reflection of the laser beam by the pigments.
  • the support in this case the material of the molded or produced housing 12, is not affected by the marking, since the pigmentation is sufficient to constitute a protective screen, retaining totally or largely the laser beam.
  • the presence of pigments prevents the total removal of the binder.
  • the adhesion of the paint or the characteristics of the support are not altered by the marking, which is durable.
  • the pigments used may be other oxides, in particular chromium oxide, and be suitable for the desired coloring, but the degree of pigmentation and the thickness of the paint layer must be sufficient.
  • the paint comprises organic pigments and under the action of the laser beam these pigments and the binder are broken down and eliminated to obtain the desired contrast. The thickness of the layer and the percentage of pigmentation are then lower.
  • the support can be any material, in particular metal, plastic, paper, glass, the color of which is appropriate, the choice of paint possibly depending on the type of support. Likewise, the method of applying the paint and its hardening have no influence on the marking, which only affects the layer of paint.

Abstract

The marking of a product, particularly of a moulded casing for an electronic apparatus, is carried out at the end of a manufacturing or assembly line (10) by a writing of variable data using a laser beam. The marking zone is previously coated with a layer of paint which is reactive to the laser and has a percentage of pigmentation allowing writing and contrast of good quality. The pigments may be mineral or organic. <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention est relative à un procédé de marquage par faisceau laser d'un support isolant agencé sur un boîtier moulé en matière plastique d'un appareillage électrique, lequel est assemblé sur une chaîne de fabrication flexible et automatique, le support ou la zone de marquage du support étant revêtu dans un premier poste de travail d'au moins une couche de peinture, ayant des liants et des pigments.The invention relates to a method of laser beam marking of an insulating support arranged on a molded plastic casing of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible and automatic production line, the support or the area of marking of the support being coated in a first workstation with at least one layer of paint, having binders and pigments.

L'automatisation des chaînes de fabrication et de montage d'appareils électriques et plus particulièrement la nécessité de pouvoir changer fréquemment le type d'appareils réalisés sur la chaîne, implique une flexibilité du marquage pour adapter ce marquage au type de produits. La pose d'étiquette ou les marquages usuels par tampographie, sérigraphie ou procédé offset sont mal adaptés à ces lignes de fabrication flexible et impliquent des temps d'arrêt de la fabrication à chaque fin de série.The automation of the production and assembly lines of electrical devices and more particularly the need to be able to frequently change the type of devices produced on the line, implies flexibility of marking to adapt this marking to the type of products. The fitting of labels or the usual markings by pad printing, screen printing or offset process are ill-suited to these flexible production lines and imply production downtime at the end of each series.

Il a déjà été proposé de porter des inscriptions directement sur les produits par une gravure au faisceau laser, l'équipement de marquage pouvant alors être intégré ou former un maillon d'une chaîne de fabrication ou de montage Le faisceau laser agit comme une source d'énergie appliquée ponctuellement qui provoque une modification superficielle du matériau irradié, faisant apparaître un contraste avec les zones adjacentes non frappées par le faisceau. Le marquage laser peut être fait à l'aide d'un masque portant les inscriptions correspondantes, ce masque devant être modifié à chaque changement de série ou par guidage du faisceau laser, lequel réécrit sous le contrôle d'un système informatique tel que l'ordinateur, le texte sur chaque pièce. Ce dernier système d'inscription est nettement plus souple puisqu'il permet un changement des inscriptions quasi instantanémment, mais la cadence de marquage est nettement inférieure. Les procédés connus de marquage laser intégré à une chaîne flexible d'appareillage électrique, n'ont pas permis d'obtenir des inscriptions d'une qualité suffisante capable de remplacer les étiquettes ou les impressions par tampographie des pièces. Dans le dispositif du document EP-A-215.389, deux couches superposées de peinture sont appliquées dans un poste de travail d'une ligne de montage flexible. Une machine de marquage au laser brûle la première couche superficielle pour faire apparaître la deuxième couche inférieure, et réaliser ainsi l'inscription. La deuxième couche de peinture n'est pas réactive au laser, et l'inscription par faisceau laser n est pas pilotée par l'automate de la ligne de montage.It has already been proposed to carry inscriptions directly on the products by an engraving with a laser beam, the marking equipment then being able to be integrated or to form a link in a production or assembly chain. The laser beam acts as a source of energy applied punctually which causes a surface modification of the irradiated material, making appear a contrast with the adjacent zones not struck by the beam. The laser marking can be done using a mask bearing the corresponding inscriptions, this mask having to be modified at each change of series or by guiding the laser beam, which rewrites under the control of a computer system such as the computer, the text on each piece. This last registration system is much more flexible since it allows a change of registrations almost instantaneously, but the marking rate is clearly lower. The known methods of laser marking integrated into a flexible chain of electrical equipment have not made it possible to obtain inscriptions of sufficient quality capable of replacing the labels or the pad printing of the parts. In the device of document EP-A-215,389, two superposed layers of paint are applied in a work station of a flexible assembly line. A laser marking machine burns the first surface layer to reveal the second bottom layer, and thus carry out the inscription. The second layer of paint is not reactive to the laser, and the writing by laser beam is not controlled by the automatic assembly line.

Selon le document EP 171.219, l'étiquette d'un contacteur est réalisée par un marquage au faisceau laser, lequel provoque une attaque de la matière plastique, et une détérioration de la face du boîtier. Le marquage est piloté par un détecteur à contacts intégrés dans le contacteur.According to document EP 171.219, the label of a contactor is produced by marking with a laser beam, which causes an attack on the plastic material, and a deterioration of the face of the housing. The marking is controlled by a detector with contacts integrated in the contactor.

Le besoin s'est fait sentir de disposer d'un procédé de marquage laser universel, applicable aux différents types de support et fournissant une bonne qualité d'inscription.The need was felt to have a universal laser marking process, applicable to different types of support and providing good quality of inscription.

La présente invention a pour but de permettre une inscription par faisceau laser directement sur une pièce fabriquée sur une chaîne de fabrication flexible, et d'améliorer la qualité de l'inscription sans dégradation de la pièce.The object of the present invention is to allow registration by laser beam directly on a part produced on a flexible production line, and to improve the quality of the registration without degrading the part.

Le procédé de marquage selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que:
- ladite couche de peinture est réactive au laser grâce à un pourcentage de pigmentation suffisante pour absorber et réfléchir le faisceau laser,
- la couche de peinture est séchée lors du passage dans un tunnel de séchage disposé après le premier poste de travail,
- le marquage d'inscriptions variables selon la série fabriquée est ensuite réalisé en bout de chaîne de fabrication dans un deuxième poste de travail par l'action du faisceau laser engendrant une détérioration du liant, ou une gravure de la peinture qui visualise ledit marquage,
- l'inscription par le déplacement du faisceau laser vers les points à graver est pilotée par un système informatique de l'automate associé à la chaîne de fabrication.The marking method according to the invention is characterized in that:
- said layer of paint is reactive to the laser thanks to a percentage of pigmentation sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser beam,
- the paint layer is dried when passing through a drying tunnel arranged after the first work station,
- the marking of variable inscriptions according to the series produced is then carried out at the end of the production line in a second work station by the action of the laser beam causing deterioration of the binder, or an etching of the paint which visualizes said marking,
- the registration by moving the laser beam to the points to be engraved is controlled by a computer system of the automaton associated with the production line.

La mise en place sur la pièce ou le support à graver d'une ou plusieurs couches de peinture ou d'encre permet de s'affranchir des caractéristiques du support notamment de sa couleur et de sa réaction au faisceau laser. La réaction provoquée par le faisceau laser peut être une réaction chimique de changement de couleur ou de vaporisation de la peinture ou une réaction physique provoquant un contraste suffisant. Le choix des couleurs et du contraste peut être augmenté en appliquant sur la couche de peinture sensible au rayon laser, une deuxième couche de peinture de caractéristique normale.The placement on the part or the support to be engraved of one or more layers of paint or ink makes it possible to overcome the characteristics of the support, in particular its color and its reaction to the laser beam. The reaction caused by the laser beam can be a chemical reaction of color change or vaporization of the paint or a physical reaction causing sufficient contrast. The choice of colors and contrast can be increased by applying a second layer of paint with normal characteristics to the laser-sensitive paint layer.

L'invention est également relative à un dispositif de marquage disposée en bout de chaîne de fabrication et comportant successivement un premier poste d'application d'ùne peinture réactive au laser suivi d'un tunnel de séchage et d'un deuxième poste de marquage ayant une source de faisceau laser piloté par un système informatique de guidage du faisceau. Le système informatique est avantageusement celui de la chaîne de fabrication qui suit le produit le long de sa progression sur la ligne et transmet au dispositif de marquage les données à inscrire qui correspondent au type de produit présent sur le poste de marquage.The invention also relates to a marking device placed at the end of the production line and successively comprising a first station for applying a reactive laser paint followed by a drying tunnel and a second marking station having a laser beam source controlled by a computer beam guidance system. The computer system is advantageously that of the production chain which tracks the product along its progress on the line and transmits to the marking device the data to be entered which correspond to the type of product present on the marking station.

Il est avantageux d'utiliser un laser YAG, dont la souplesse d'emploi est remarquable et la présence importante de pigments dans la couche de peinture assure le captage des rayons laser et leur action sur la peinture ou sur certains composants de la peinture pour obtenir un constraste suffisant au marquage. Différents pigments sont utilisables, en particulier des pigments minéraux tels que les oxydes de métaux qui ont une grande stabilité à haute température. Dans ce cas la couche pigmentée est relativement épaisse, par exemple supérieure à 15 microns pour constituer un écran empêchant les rayons de parvenir au support ou s'ils y parviennent d'être suffisamment atténués pour être incapables d'une détérioration du support. Si la peinture est à pigments organiques le pourcentage de pigmentation en poids est bien entendu notablement plus faible, par exemple de quelques pour cent et ces pigments sont décomposes par l'action du faisceau laser. Les pigments assurent bien entendu leur fonction usuelle de protection et de coloration.It is advantageous to use a YAG laser, the flexibility of which is remarkable and the significant presence of pigments in the paint layer ensures the capture of the laser rays and their action on the paint or on certain components of the paint to obtain a contrast sufficient for marking. Different pigments can be used, in particular mineral pigments such as metal oxides which have great stability at high temperature. In this case the pigmented layer is relatively thick, for example greater than 15 microns to form a screen preventing the rays from reaching the support or if they succeed in being sufficiently attenuated to be incapable of deterioration of the support. If the paint is with organic pigments the percentage of pigmentation by weight is of course significantly lower, for example a few percent and these pigments are broken down by the action of the laser beam. The pigments naturally provide their usual protective and coloring function.

L'invention porte également sur une peinture susceptible d'être appliquée sur le support devant être marqué par faisceau laser, cette peinture étant caractérisée par le fait que la pigmentation de la couche de peinture recouvrant le support dans la zone de marquage, est suffisante pour absorber et réfléchir les rayons laser et engendrer une détérioration du liant ou une gravure de la peinture qui visualise ledit marquage. Cette détérioration peut se traduire par une gravure, due à un enlèvement ou à une modification de structure au matériau et faisant apparaître un relief contrasté ou par un changement de couleur accentuant le contraste. Dans la plupart des cas les deux types de détérioration en l'occurrence la gravure et l'écriture sont présents et complémentaires. L'utilisation d'une peinture polyuréthane pour le revêtement de la zone de marquage donne des résultats remarquables de finesse et de contrôle des inscriptions, ainsi qu'une bonne adhérence et résistance de la peinture, mais d'autres peintures avec des liants différents sont utilisables, les caractéristiques importantes étant le degré de pigmentation et l'épaisseur de la couche. Le durcisseur de la peinture polyuréthane est un isocyanate ou autre durcisseur approprié, dont la présence produit le durcissement et peut affecter le marquage, notamment lorsque celui-ci succède rapidement à l'application de la peinture sur la chaîne de fabrication. Les pigments peuvent être des pigments minéraux stables en particulier les oxydes de fer, de titane ou de chrome, avec un pourcentage de pigmentation en poids de la couche de peinture supérieure à 40 % et avantageusement voisin de 60 %. Les pigments organiques tels que le bleu ou le vert de phtalocyanine conviennent également, le pourcentage en poids étant alors bien plus faible, par exemple supérieur à 3 %.The invention also relates to a paint capable of being applied to the support to be marked with a laser beam, this paint being characterized in that the pigmentation of the layer of paint covering the support in the marking area is sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser rays and cause a deterioration of the binder or an etching of the paint which visualizes said marking. This deterioration can result in an engraving, due to a removal or a modification of structure to the material and revealing a contrasted relief or by a change of color accentuating the contrast. In most cases the two types of deterioration, in this case engraving and writing, are present and complementary. The use of polyurethane paint for the coating of the marking area gives remarkable results of finesse and control of inscriptions, as well as good adhesion and resistance of the paint, but other paints with different binders are usable, the important characteristics being the degree of pigmentation and the thickness of the layer. The hardener of polyurethane paint is an isocyanate or other suitable hardener, the presence of which produces hardening and can affect the marking, especially when it succeeds quickly applying paint to the production line. The pigments can be stable mineral pigments, in particular iron, titanium or chromium oxides, with a percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer greater than 40% and advantageously close to 60%. Organic pigments such as blue or green phthalocyanine are also suitable, the percentage by weight then being much lower, for example greater than 3%.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et représenté au dessin annexé dans lequel :

  • - la figure 1 est une vue schématique en plan d'une extrémité d'une chaîne de fabrication ou de montage d'appareils électriques;
  • - la figure 2 est une vue en coupe de la zone de marquage du produit;
  • - la figure 3 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2, illustrant une variante de réalisation.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the appended drawing in which:
  • - Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of one end of a production line or assembly of electrical devices;
  • - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the product marking area;
  • - Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, illustrating an alternative embodiment.

Sur la figure 1, une ligne de fabrication ou de montage, schématiquement représentée par un transporteur 10 de produits 12 comporte en bout de chaîne une zone de marquage constituée par quatre postes successifs 1,2,3,4. Les produits 12 sont des appareils électriques à boîtier moulé isolant en matière plastique tels que des appareils de la gamme commercialement dénommé Multi 9. La partie frontale de ces appareils porte des inscriptions réprésentatives des caractéristiques de l'appareil fabriqué ou monté sur la chaîne 10.In FIG. 1, a production or assembly line, diagrammatically represented by a product transporter 10 includes at the end of the chain a marking zone constituted by four successive stations 1,2,3,4. The products 12 are electrical devices with molded insulating plastic casing such as devices from the range commercially known as Multi 9. The front part of these devices bears inscriptions representative of the characteristics of the device manufactured or mounted on the chain 10.

Le premier poste 1 sur lequel aboutissent les produits 12 est un poste d'application d'une couche de peinture 14 sur la zone de marquage du produit. Cette peinture peut être appliquée par les moyens appropriés, notamment par projection, par report, par transfert à l'aide d'un support intermédiaire, par un procédé offset ou à tampographie ou par tout autre dispositif d'impression notamment par sérigraphie. Ces procédés d'application sont bien connus, notamment pour des encres et il est inutile de les décrire plus en détail.The first station 1 on which the products 12 end is a station for applying a layer of paint 14 to the marking area of the product. This paint can be applied by appropriate means, in particular by projection, by transfer, by transfer using an intermediate support, by an offset or pad printing process or by any other printing device in particular by screen printing. These application methods are well known, in particular for inks and it is unnecessary to describe them in more detail.

Le transfert peut être effectué dans le moule d'injection du boîtier plastique. Le moule comporte un dispositif de déroulement d'un ruban sur lequel on a précédemment déposé une ou deux couches de peinture. Les empreintes du moule sont fermées directement sur le ruban qui résiste à la température d'injection de la matière plastique. Par contre, la peinture vient en contact avec la matière qui la fait fondre et qui forme une carapace dans la zone recherchée. L'avancement pas à pas du ruban est lié au système de fermeture du moule.The transfer can be carried out in the injection mold of the plastic case. The mold comprises a device for unwinding a ribbon on which one or two layers of paint have previously been deposited. The mold impressions are closed directly on the tape which resists the injection temperature of the plastic. On the other hand, the paint comes into contact with the material which makes it melt and which forms a shell in the desired area. The step-by-step advancement of the ribbon is linked to the mold closing system.

La peinture peut également être une encre ou un vernis constituant un revêtement continu sur la zone de marquage. La peinture utilisée est une peinture appropriée réagissant a l'action d'un rayon laser de manière à faire apparaître un contraste suffisant pour une inscription directe sur le produit 12. Le produit 12 revêtu de la couche de peinture réactive au laser traverse par la suite un tunnel de séchage schématiquement représenté par le poste 2 avant d'arriver sur un poste de marquage classique 3. Ce poste de marquage, par exemple du type tampographie, permet l'apposition des inscriptions constantes c'est à dire des inscriptions figurant sur tous les produits fabriqués sur la chaîne. Les produits 12 arrivent par la suite au dernier poste de travail 4 qui est un poste de marquage laser constitué par une source d'un faisceau laser provoquant sur la zone de marquage une inscription des données variables c'est à dire des données propres à chaque série de produits 12 fabriqués sur la ligne. Le faisceau laser est avantageusement guidé par un dispositif d'écriture automatique piloté par le système informatique de commande de la chaîne de fabrication. Le faisceau laser du type YAG ou CO2 frappe la couche 14 de peinture réactive en provoquant une réaction superficielle de cette dernière au point d'impact 16. Le déplacement du faisceau laser réalise l'inscription des données variables. La vitesse d'inscription est suffisamment rapide pour suivre la cadence de production de la ligne 10 et le contrôle du faisceau laser par le système informatique permet un changement instantané du marquage en fin de chaque série de production. Il est clair que les inscriptions constantes peuvent également être portées par le marquage laser directement sur le produit ce qui permet la suppression du poste de marquage 3 par tampographie. Pour de grandes cadences de production le marquage par guidage du faisceau laser peut être remplacé par un système de marquage par masque lequel doit être changé à chaque fin de série.The paint can also be an ink or a varnish constituting a continuous coating on the marking area. The paint used is a suitable paint reacting to the action of a laser beam so as to produce sufficient contrast for direct inscription on the product 12. The product 12 coated with the layer of laser-reactive paint subsequently passes through a drying tunnel schematically represented by station 2 before arriving at a conventional marking station 3. This marking station, for example of the pad printing type, allows the affixing of constant inscriptions, that is to say inscriptions appearing on all products produced on the line. The products 12 subsequently arrive at the last work station 4 which is a laser marking station constituted by a source of a laser beam causing the marking area to write variable data, that is to say data specific to each series of 12 products manufactured on the line. The laser beam is advantageously guided by an automatic writing device controlled by the computer system for controlling the production line. YAG or CO2 type laser beam hits layer 14 of paint reactive by causing a superficial reaction of the latter at the point of impact 16. The displacement of the laser beam carries out the recording of the variable data. The writing speed is fast enough to follow the production rate of line 10 and the control of the laser beam by the computer system allows an instant change of marking at the end of each production series. It is clear that the constant inscriptions can also be carried by the laser marking directly on the product which allows the elimination of the marking station 3 by pad printing. For large production rates, the marking by guiding the laser beam can be replaced by a mask marking system which must be changed at the end of each series.

La figure 3 illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle la couche de peinture réactive 14 est revêtue d'une couche additionnelle 18 de peinture standard. Ce revêtement additionnel peut être réalisé au même poste de travail 1 ou sur un poste additionnel (non représenté) d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes. La peinture de la couche 18 est avantageusement d'une couleur différente de celle de la peinture réactive 14 afin d'avoir une différence de teinte entre la surface externe et le fond de la gravure réalisée par le faisceau laser. La couche superficielle 18 peut être éliminée par l'action du laser et rend visible la partie activée de la couche 14. La couche superficielle 18 peut être carbonisée partiellement pour associer son effet à la couche activée 14, entraînant une modification de la couleur. Le choix de la peinture réactive pour faisceau laser est déterminé par l'aspect esthétique et visuel du marquage recherché et par la nature du support généralement en matière plastique mais pouvant être en un matériau différent.FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the reactive paint layer 14 is coated with an additional layer 18 of standard paint. This additional coating can be carried out at the same work station 1 or on an additional station (not shown) in a manner well known to specialists. The paint of the layer 18 is advantageously of a different color from that of the reactive paint 14 in order to have a difference in color between the external surface and the background of the etching produced by the laser beam. The surface layer 18 can be removed by the action of the laser and makes the activated part of the layer 14 visible. The surface layer 18 can be partially charred to associate its effect with the activated layer 14, resulting in a modification of the color. The choice of reactive paint for laser beam is determined by the aesthetic and visual appearance of the marking sought and by the nature of the support generally made of plastic but may be of a different material.

Dans un exemple de réalisation, la zone de marquage est revêtue d'une peinture polyuréthane de couleur grise à deux composants, le durcisseur étant un isocyanate, et le pourcentage de pigmentation en poids de la couche de peinture est supérieur à 40 % et voisin de 60 %. Les pigments sont essentiellement l'oxyde de titane et l'oxyde de fer, faisant apparaître après le marquage laser une écriture noire sur un fond gris avec une gravure en profondeur qui accentue le contraste. Le marquage résulte essentiellement d'une détérioration du liant de la peinture engendrée par l'absorption et la réflexion du faisceau laser par les pigments.In an exemplary embodiment, the marking area is coated with a two-component gray polyurethane paint, the hardener being an isocyanate, and the percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer is greater than 40% and close to 60%. The pigments are essentially titanium oxide and iron oxide, revealing after the laser marking a black writing on a gray background with a deep engraving which accentuates the contrast. The marking essentially results from a deterioration of the paint binder caused by the absorption and reflection of the laser beam by the pigments.

Le support, en l'occurrence le matériau du boîtier moulé ou produit 12, n'est pas affecté par le marquage, car la pigmentation est suffisante pour constituer un écran de protection, retenant totalement ou en grande partie le faisceau laser. La présence des pigments évite l'enlèvement total du liant. De même l'adhérence de la peinture ou les caractéristiques du support ne sont pas altérées par le marquage, qui est durable. Les pigments utilisés peuvent être d'autres oxydes notamment l'oxyde de chrome et être adaptés à la coloration souhaitée, mais le degré de pigmentation ainsi que l'épaisseur de la couche de peinture doivent être suffisants.The support, in this case the material of the molded or produced housing 12, is not affected by the marking, since the pigmentation is sufficient to constitute a protective screen, retaining totally or largely the laser beam. The presence of pigments prevents the total removal of the binder. Similarly the adhesion of the paint or the characteristics of the support are not altered by the marking, which is durable. The pigments used may be other oxides, in particular chromium oxide, and be suitable for the desired coloring, but the degree of pigmentation and the thickness of the paint layer must be sufficient.

Selon un autre exemple de réalisation la peinture comporte des pigments organiques et sous l'action du faisceau laser ces pigments et le liant sont décomposés et éliminés pour obtenir le contraste recherché. L'épaisseur de la couche et le pourcentage de pigmentation sont alors plus faibles.According to another exemplary embodiment, the paint comprises organic pigments and under the action of the laser beam these pigments and the binder are broken down and eliminated to obtain the desired contrast. The thickness of the layer and the percentage of pigmentation are then lower.

Le support peut être un matériau quelconque, notamment du métal, du plastique, du papier, du verre, dont la couleur est appropriée, le choix de la peinture dépendant éventuellement du type de support. De même le mode d'application de la peinture et son durcissement sont sans influence sur le marquage qui n'affecte que la couche de peinture.The support can be any material, in particular metal, plastic, paper, glass, the color of which is appropriate, the choice of paint possibly depending on the type of support. Likewise, the method of applying the paint and its hardening have no influence on the marking, which only affects the layer of paint.

Claims (9)

1. Procédé de marquage par faisceau laser d'un support isolant agencé sur un boîtier (12) moulé en matière plastique d'un appareillage électrique, lequel est assemblé sur une chaîne de fabrication (10) flexible et automatique, le support ou la zone de marquage du support étant revêtu dans un premier poste de travail (1) d'au moins une couche de peinture, ayant des liants et des pigments, caractérisé en ce que:
- ladite couche de peinture est réactive au laser grâce à un pourcentage de pigmentation suffisante pour absorber et réfléchir le faisceau laser,
- la couche de peinture est séchée lors du passage dans un tunnel de séchage (2) disposé après le premier poste de travail (1),
- le marquage d'inscriptions variables selon la série fabriquée est ensuite réalisé en bout de chaîne de fabrication dans un deuxième poste de travail (4) par l'action du faisceau laser engendrant une détérioration du liant, ou une gravure de la peinture qui visualise ledit marquage,
- l'inscription par le déplacement du faisceau laser vers les points à graver (16) est pilotée par un système informatique de l'automate associé à la chaîne de fabrication.1. Method for marking by laser beam of an insulating support arranged on a plastic molded case (12) of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible and automatic production line (10), the support or the area marking the support being coated in a first work station (1) with at least one layer of paint, having binders and pigments, characterized in that:
- said layer of paint is reactive to the laser thanks to a percentage of pigmentation sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser beam,
- the paint layer is dried when passing through a drying tunnel (2) arranged after the first work station (1),
- the marking of variable inscriptions according to the series produced is then carried out at the end of the production line in a second work station (4) by the action of the laser beam causing deterioration of the binder, or an etching of the paint which visualizes said marking,
- The registration by the movement of the laser beam to the points to be engraved (16) is controlled by a computer system of the automaton associated with the production line. 2. Procédé de marquage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le marquage est réalisé au moyen d'un laser YAG.2. A marking method according to claim 1, characterized in that the marking is carried out by means of a YAG laser. 3. Procédé de marquage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce qu'en un troisième poste de travail (3) on réalise un marquage usuel d'inscriptions constantes notamment par tampographie ou procédé offset.3. Marking method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a third workstation (3) is carried out a usual marking of constant inscriptions in particular by pad printing or offset process. 4. Procédé de marquage selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que la couche (14) de peinture réactive au laser est revêtue d'une couche extérieure (18) de peinture susceptible d'être vaporisée par le faisceau laser.4. Marking method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the layer (14) of laser reactive paint is coated with an outer layer (18) of paint capable of being vaporized by the laser beam. 5. Dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisé en qu'il comporte en bout de chaîne de fabrication successivement un premier poste (1) d'application d'une peinture (14) réactive au laser, un tunnel de séchage (2) et un deuxième poste de marquage (4) ayant une source de faisceau laser, piloté par un système informatique, lequel connaît le type de produit arrivant audit deuxième poste de marquage (4) et commande le faisceau laser pour réaliser l'inscription correspondant à ce type de produit.5. Device for implementing the method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises at the end of the production line successively a first station (1) for applying a paint (14) reactive with laser, a drying tunnel (2) and a second marking station (4) having a laser beam source, controlled by a computer system, which knows the type of product arriving at said second marking station (4) and controls the laser beam to carry out the registration corresponding to this type of product. 6. Peinture pour le marquage par faisceau laser de supports, notamment en matériau plastique, ladite peinture ayant un liant et des pigments, et étant étalée sur la zone de marquage du support pour former une couche de peinture ayant une épaisseur prédéterminée, caractérisée en ce que le pourcentage de pigmentation en poids de la couche de peinture est soit supérieur à 40 % dans le cas de pigments minéraux stables, notamment des oxydes de métaux, soit supérieur à 3 % dans le cas de pigments organiques, pour protéger- le support de l'action du laser, et pour absorber et réfléchir le faisceau laser en engendrant une détérioration du liant ou une gravure de la peinture.6. Paint for laser marking of supports, in particular of plastic material, said paint having a binder and pigments, and being spread over the marking area of the support to form a layer of paint having a predetermined thickness, characterized in that that the percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer is either greater than 40% in the case of stable mineral pigments, in particular metal oxides, or greater than 3% in the case of organic pigments, to protect the support of the action of the laser, and to absorb and reflect the laser beam by causing a deterioration of the binder or an etching of the paint. 7. Peinture selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que les oxydes de métaux sont des oxydes de fer, de titane, de chrome, ou des mélanges de ces oxydes.7. Paint according to claim 6, characterized in that the metal oxides are iron, titanium, chromium oxides, or mixtures of these oxides. 8. Peinture selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que les pigments organiques comportent du bleu ou du vert de phtalocyanine.8. Paint according to claim 6, characterized in that the organic pigments comprise blue or phthalocyanine green. 9. Peinture selon l'une des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisée en ce que le liant comporte une résine polyuréthane et un durcisseur à base d'un isocyanate ou autres, et que les pigments comportent de l'oxyde de titane et de l'oxyde de fer.9. Paint according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the binder comprises a polyurethane resin and a hardener based on an isocyanate or the like, and that the pigments comprise titanium oxide and iron oxide.
EP90420405A 1989-09-22 1990-09-17 Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0419377B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8912557 1989-09-22
FR8912557A FR2652480B1 (en) 1989-09-22 1989-09-22 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LASER MARKING OF MOLDED CASES OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
FR8915853 1989-11-29
FR8915853A FR2654982B1 (en) 1989-11-29 1989-11-29 LASER MARKING PROCESS AND PAINT.

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EP0419377A1 true EP0419377A1 (en) 1991-03-27
EP0419377B1 EP0419377B1 (en) 1996-03-06
EP0419377B2 EP0419377B2 (en) 2001-04-18

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EP0922589A1 (en) * 1997-12-10 1999-06-16 Tekmax Inc. Method for printing thermoplastic materials using a laser
EP1099565A2 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-16 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Process of writing on plastic surfaces
WO2004045857A3 (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-07-08 Sun Chemical Corp Laser marking process
US6791592B2 (en) 2000-04-18 2004-09-14 Laserink Printing a code on a product
US6852948B1 (en) 1997-09-08 2005-02-08 Thermark, Llc High contrast surface marking using irradiation of electrostatically applied marking materials
US7238396B2 (en) 2002-08-02 2007-07-03 Rieck Albert S Methods for vitrescent marking
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CN106042696A (en) * 2016-06-28 2016-10-26 广州市铭钰标识科技有限公司 Pipe marking method
US9744559B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-08-29 Paul W Harrison High contrast surface marking using nanoparticle materials
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US10583668B2 (en) 2018-08-07 2020-03-10 Markem-Imaje Corporation Symbol grouping and striping for wide field matrix laser marking

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EP0485307A1 (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-05-13 Schneider Electric Sa Method and apparatus for the deposit of a layer of laser reactive paint upon a moulded object
US5653900A (en) * 1991-01-17 1997-08-05 United Distillers Plc Dynamic laser marking
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US5897938A (en) * 1996-01-08 1999-04-27 Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha Laser marking article and laser marking method
EP0782933A1 (en) * 1996-01-08 1997-07-09 Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha Laser marking article and laser marking method
WO1998004417A1 (en) * 1996-07-27 1998-02-05 Quarzwerke Gmbh Process for writing on foils by means of a laser
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US6855910B2 (en) 1997-09-08 2005-02-15 Thermark, Llc High contrast surface marking using mixed organic pigments
US6852948B1 (en) 1997-09-08 2005-02-08 Thermark, Llc High contrast surface marking using irradiation of electrostatically applied marking materials
WO1999025562A1 (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-27 Cerdec Corporation Laser marking method and material
EP0922589A1 (en) * 1997-12-10 1999-06-16 Tekmax Inc. Method for printing thermoplastic materials using a laser
EP1099565A2 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-16 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Process of writing on plastic surfaces
EP1099565A3 (en) * 1999-11-11 2002-04-24 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Process of writing on plastic surfaces
US6829000B2 (en) 2000-04-18 2004-12-07 Laserink Printing a code on a product
US6791592B2 (en) 2000-04-18 2004-09-14 Laserink Printing a code on a product
US7238396B2 (en) 2002-08-02 2007-07-03 Rieck Albert S Methods for vitrescent marking
WO2004045857A3 (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-07-08 Sun Chemical Corp Laser marking process
CN100439117C (en) * 2005-11-29 2008-12-03 武汉矽感科技有限公司 Laser marking system and method for automatic production line
US9744559B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2017-08-29 Paul W Harrison High contrast surface marking using nanoparticle materials
CN106042696A (en) * 2016-06-28 2016-10-26 广州市铭钰标识科技有限公司 Pipe marking method
WO2019179706A1 (en) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 Erich Utsch Ag Method and device for marking a license plate for a vehicle twice, and license plate designed to be suitable for marking twice
US10583668B2 (en) 2018-08-07 2020-03-10 Markem-Imaje Corporation Symbol grouping and striping for wide field matrix laser marking

Also Published As

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DE69025686T2 (en) 1996-09-26
ES2086389T3 (en) 1996-07-01
EP0419377B1 (en) 1996-03-06
DE69025686D1 (en) 1996-04-11
EP0419377B2 (en) 2001-04-18

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