Packaging industry demands Jenoptik high-speed laser cutters

Citation

(2005), "Packaging industry demands Jenoptik high-speed laser cutters", Assembly Automation, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2005.03325aad.002

Packaging industry demands Jenoptik high-speed laser cutters

Packaging industry demands Jenoptik high-speed laser cutters

Keywords: Lasers, Packaging

With its latest order, Jenoptik has brought the total number of its high-speed laser cutters in operation to more than 60. Packaging specialists around the world, attracted by the reliability and speed of the laser system, have integrated Jenoptik's Votan P package into their existing production lines to improve productivity and efficiency (Plate 2).

Jenoptik's laser-cutting systems are specifically developed to cut, score or pre-weaken materials such as cardboard, plastic film, textiles and leather. Low-inertia scanners direct the laser energy to enable complex shapes, like the pre-weakening pattern under the pouring spouts of cartons, to be cut at high speed (up to 400 m/min). The lasers achieve a consistent accuracy of ±0.2 mm and power is regulated to compensate for line speed fluctuations. Because there is no tooling involved, different products can be processed by changes to the program, with fine tuning made by software amendments. The tool-free, contact-free package also means customers get maximum availability.

Plate 2 Jenoptik has brought the total number of high-speed laser cutters in operation to more than 60

One of the advantages of using a laser to cut plastics is the smoothness of the heat-sealed cut edge, which maintains the strength of the material. This is not usually possible when conventional cutting tools are used. Laser energy vaporises materials, and any fumes produced are safely treated before they are vented into the atmosphere.

Jenoptik's lasers can also micro- perforate most packaging material. This operation is particularly suited to plastic film for food packaging as it enables perishable foods to stay fresher for longer. The newest Votan P system uses high-speed laser energy to perforate precise holes (as small as 25 µm) in plastic film and is an application likely to generate particular interest.

For further information contact: Bill Hogan, Jenoptik (UK) Limited. Tel: 01462 650730; Fax: 01462 650731; web site: www.jenoptik-uk.com