Abmark AB2-F Series – Fibre Laser for Advanced Industrial Marking

Abmark AB2-F Series is a powerful range of pulsed fibre lasers for permanent marking, engraving and traceability on metals and selected engineering plastics. The series is designed for industrial production and can be used both for integration into automated production lines and with standalone marking workstations. With multiple power levels, a wide range of optics, Profinet and the ability to control up to four axes, AB2-F is a flexible platform for advanced industrial laser marking.

Fibre Laser for Industrial Marking

AB2-F Series is designed for applications where high marking quality, repeatability and production reliability are essential.

The system uses a pulsed fibre laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, making the technology particularly well suited to marking and engraving metals.

The standard version has a pulse width of approximately 100 ns and is suitable for processes where relatively high peak power and thermal interaction are required.

Typical applications include:

• Permanent product marking
• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Barcodes
• Logos
• Batch information
• Production dates
• UID marking
• Industrial traceability
• Engraving

The marking is created directly on the component surface and normally requires no labels, inks or other marking consumables.

Designed for Metals and Engineering Plastics

The fibre laser wavelength of 1064 nm is efficiently absorbed by many metals.

AB2-F Series is therefore particularly suitable for materials such as:

• Stainless steel
• Steel
• Aluminium
• Anodised aluminium
• Titanium
• Brass
• Copper and other metals
• Carbide
• Many engineering plastics
• Painted and surface-treated components

Available product information describes AB2-F as suitable for metals and selected plastics where higher power and thermal interaction are required.

The result depends on the material composition, surface treatment and selected laser parameters.

For new or unknown materials, LMI recommends sample marking to verify both the result and processing time.

Marking, Black Marking and Engraving

AB2-F Series can be used for several different laser processes depending on the material and selected parameters.

Examples include:

• Contrast marking
• Black marking
• Engraving
• Material removal
• Removal of paint and coatings
• Plastic marking
• Permanent product identification

This means that the same laser platform can be used for both fine information marking and processes where more material needs to be removed.

10 to 100 W Depending on Configuration

AB2-F Series is available in several power levels.

Product information for the series specifies 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 W, with model designations including AB2-F10, AB2-F20, AB2-F30 and AB2-F50.

The appropriate power level is selected according to the application.

Lower power can be fully sufficient for applications such as:

• Serial numbers
• Logos
• Machine-readable codes
• Contrast marking
• Fine product information

Higher laser power can provide advantages where the process requires:

• Shorter cycle times
• Higher production speeds
• Deeper engraving
• Greater material removal
• Larger marking fields

Higher power, however, is not automatically better.

LMI will help you specify the appropriate laser power based on the material, required marking result and desired cycle time.

AB2-F MOPA for an Even Wider Process Window

The AB2 platform is also available in a MOPA version.

AB2-F MOPA features a variable pulse width of approximately 4–200 ns and is specified with power levels of 20 and 50 W.

The greater ability to control the laser pulse makes MOPA technology particularly interesting when the marking result needs to be fine-tuned to the material.

This can be especially valuable for:

• Sensitive materials
• Many engineering plastics
• Contrast marking
• Surface-treated components
• Applications with narrow process windows
• Marking where minimal heat input is important

The MOPA version is therefore an alternative when a conventional fibre laser does not provide sufficient process control.

LMI will help you determine whether standard AB2-F or AB2-F MOPA is best suited to your application.

Standard Marking Field 100 × 100 mm

AB2-F Series has a standard marking field of approximately 100 × 100 mm.

A wide range of alternative optical configurations is also available.

Available product information specifies marking fields from approximately 55 × 55 mm up to 560 × 560 mm, depending on the selected optics.

The choice of optics affects several characteristics:

• Marking field
• Working distance
• Spot size
• Level of detail
• Energy density
• Marking speed

A larger marking field therefore does not automatically mean that it is the best optical configuration for the application.

For small details, optics with a smaller marking field may provide better conditions for high resolution and energy density.

LMI will help you select the appropriate optics based on component size and the required marking result.

Industrial Traceability

One of the most important applications for fibre lasers is permanent traceability marking.

AB2-F can be used to create:

• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Batch numbers
• Production dates
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Barcodes
• UID information
• Logos
• Product data
• Inspection information

The information can be unique for each component.

This makes the system suitable for automated production where marking data is retrieved from a database, PLC or higher-level production system.

Machine-Readable Codes

Data Matrix and QR codes are increasingly used in industrial traceability systems.

A large amount of information can be stored within a relatively small area and subsequently read automatically using a camera or code reader.

Fibre lasers are well suited to this type of marking because the process can create small, detailed structures with high repeatability.

To achieve consistent code quality, factors such as the following need to be optimised:

• Contrast
• Cell size
• Marking speed
• Laser parameters
• Optics
• Component positioning

If required, LMI can help combine laser marking with camera-based verification.

Profinet for Industrial Automation

AB2-F Series can be configured with Profinet for communication with industrial automation systems.

This is an important feature in modern production environments where the laser system needs to communicate directly with the machine PLC.

An automated process could, for example, operate as follows:

1. The component is transported to the marking position.
2. The PLC verifies that the correct component is in place.
3. Product data is sent to the laser system.
4. The laser selects the correct marking program.
5. The marking process is performed.
6. The laser system sends a completion signal.
7. The component proceeds through the production flow.

This allows marking to be integrated as an automated process step rather than a separate manual operation.

Control of up to Four Axes

AB2-F Series can control up to four axes – X, Y, Z and rotary.

This provides considerable flexibility for customised marking systems.

Z-Axis

A motorised Z-axis can adjust the working distance and focus for components of different heights.

X and Y Axes

X and Y axes can move the component or laser head between different positions.

This can be used to:

• Mark components larger than the laser optics’ normal marking field
• Mark several components in the same fixture
• Move between different marking areas
• Automate complex production sequences

Rotary Axis

A rotary axis makes it possible to mark cylindrical components.

Typical examples include:

• Shafts
• Tubes
• Tools
• Rings
• Cylindrical machine components

AB2-F can therefore also serve as the platform for advanced multi-axis marking systems.

Integration into Automated Production Lines

AB2-F Series is designed for both production integration and standalone applications.

For machine integration, the laser head can be positioned directly where the component is to be marked, while the system communicates with the production equipment.

Typical integrations include:

• Automated production lines
• Robotic cells
• Assembly machines
• Conveyor systems
• Special-purpose machines
• Test and inspection stations
• Camera-based inspection systems
• Automated traceability solutions

The laser then becomes part of the production process rather than a separate machine.

Integration with Abstation Mini, Midi and Maxi

AB2-F Series can also be combined with Abmark’s Mini, Midi and Maxi workstations.

This makes it possible to use the same laser technology in several different machine concepts.

Abstation-Mini is suitable for smaller components and applications where a compact machine footprint is important.

Abstation-Midi provides a larger working area and flexible component handling.

Abstation-Maxi is designed for larger components and more advanced marking solutions.

The choice of workstation therefore primarily depends on component size, fixturing and how the products need to be handled.

AB2-F or AB-F Series?

Both AB2-F Series and AB-F Series are industrial fibre laser platforms for permanent marking.

AB2-F is particularly interesting for applications where a wide choice of optics, Profinet and integration with multiple motorised axes are important elements of the system solution.

However, the best platform should not be selected solely on the basis of individual technical specifications.

System communication, level of automation, component handling, required marking result and future production requirements should all be considered.

LMI will help you compare the platforms and select the solution best suited to your actual production requirements.

AB2-F or AB2-F MOPA?

The main difference is the ability to control the characteristics of the laser pulse.

AB2-F uses a conventional pulsed fibre laser with a pulse width of approximately 100 ns.

AB2-F MOPA instead provides a variable pulse width of approximately 4–200 ns.

The standard version is an excellent solution for many common metal marking and engraving processes.

The MOPA version provides greater process flexibility and is particularly interesting for certain plastics and applications where heat input or the marking result needs to be controlled more precisely.

The most suitable technology is therefore determined by the material and actual marking requirements – not solely by laser power.

Laser Marking Without Consumables

The marking is created directly on the surface of the component.

The process therefore normally requires no:

• Labels
• Ink
• Paint
• Solvents
• Mechanical marking tools

This can reduce both maintenance requirements and ongoing production costs.

Permanent laser marking also has the advantage that there is no label that can detach or become damaged during the lifetime of the product.

Typical Applications

Abmark AB2-F Series is particularly suitable for:

• Permanent metal marking
• Engraving
• Industrial traceability
• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• UID marking
• Logos
• Automotive components
• Machine components
• Tools
• Electronics
• Engineering plastics
• Automated production lines
• Robotic cells
• Special-purpose machines
• Multi-axis marking systems
• Cylindrical components
• High-volume production

Advantages of Abmark AB2-F Series

• Pulsed fibre laser for industrial marking
• 1064 nm wavelength
• Approximately 100 ns pulse width
• Power levels from 10 to 100 W depending on configuration
• MOPA version available
• Standard marking field approximately 100 × 100 mm
• Optics for marking fields from approximately 55 × 55 to 560 × 560 mm
• Profinet available
• Support for up to four axes
• X, Y, Z and rotary axes
• Suitable for metals and selected engineering plastics
• Can be integrated into production lines
• Can be used in standalone applications
• Can be combined with Abstation Mini, Midi and Maxi
• Suitable for permanent traceability
• Low requirement for consumables

Class 4 and Laser Safety

When AB2-F is used as an integration laser, the complete installation must be designed with appropriate laser safety measures.

A safe production solution may require:

• Laser-safe enclosure
• Interlocked doors and service panels
• Safety circuits
• Controlled material openings
• Risk assessment
• Appropriate service and operating procedures

When the laser system is installed in a correctly designed workstation or safety enclosure, the complete machine can be designed for safe operator use.

LMI can assist with system integration, risk assessment and laser safety solutions.

Send Us a Material Sample

The choice of fibre laser should be based on the actual application rather than laser power alone.

Send us a component, drawing or material sample and we will help you evaluate the solution.

We can assess:

• Material
• Required marking result
• Standard fibre or MOPA
• Laser power
• Marking field
• Optics
• Level of detail
• Marking time and cycle time
• Fixturing
• Axis control
• Automation
• PLC communication
• Laser safety

If required, we can carry out sample marking and cycle-time testing before the system is configured.

Contact LMI

Would you like to learn more about Abmark AB2-F Series or discuss fibre lasers for metal marking, traceability or automated production?

Contact us and we will help you select the appropriate laser technology, power, optics and integration solution for your application.

Technical Specifications

Available models, laser power levels, optics and system configurations are subject to change. LMI will help you select the current configuration best suited to your application.