Abmark AB-F Series – Fibre Lasers for Industrial Metal Marking

Abmark AB-F Series is a range of powerful and reliable industrial fibre lasers for permanent marking, coding and engraving of metals and many engineering plastics. The systems are designed for machine integration and automated production solutions, combining high marking speeds with advanced communication, variable data and the ability to control multiple motorised axes.

Fibre Lasers for Demanding Industrial Metal Marking

Abmark AB-F Series is designed for industrial applications where marking needs to be fast, permanent and repeatable.

Fibre laser technology is particularly well suited to metals and is widely used in industries such as general engineering, automotive, electronics, medical technology and industrial manufacturing.

Abmark describes the AB-F Series as particularly suitable for demanding metal marking applications, while the systems can also mark several types of plastics and composite materials.

The system can be integrated directly into production machinery or combined with one of Abmark’s Mini, Midi or Maxi workstations.

Permanent Metal Marking

Fibre laser technology is one of the most established methods for industrial metal marking.

The laser beam interacts locally with the material surface and, depending on the material and process parameters, can be used for applications such as contrast marking, engraving or removal of surface coatings.

AB-F Series is suitable for materials including:

• Stainless steel
• Steel
• Aluminium
• Anodised aluminium
• Titanium
• Brass
• Bronze
• Other metals and alloys
• Many engineering plastics
• Certain composite materials

Abmark identifies aluminium, stainless steel, titanium and other metals as key applications for the AB-F Series.

Q-Switched and MOPA Fibre Lasers

AB-F Series includes Q-switched fibre lasers, while Abmark also offers MOPA solutions for more demanding marking and material processing applications.

Q-switched fibre lasers provide an efficient and robust solution for many standard metal marking applications.

MOPA technology provides greater control over laser pulse characteristics and can therefore offer additional flexibility for materials and processes where more precise control of the laser energy is required.

This can be particularly valuable for:

• Marking sensitive materials
• Fine contrast marking
• Processing certain plastics
• Surface-treated materials
• Applications with narrow process windows
• Marking where speed and quality need to be carefully optimised

LMI will help you select the appropriate laser technology based on the material and required marking result.

Multiple Power Levels for Different Production Requirements

Abmark’s current AB-F Series includes models with 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 W laser power.

The appropriate laser power depends on the actual process requirements.

A small high-contrast marking may have completely different requirements from deep engraving or an application where large production volumes need to be processed with short cycle times.

Higher power therefore does not automatically mean a better result.

When specifying the system, factors such as the following should be considered:

• Material
• Type of marking
• Required engraving depth
• Marking field
• Detail size
• Contrast
• Production volume
• Permitted cycle time

LMI will help specify both laser power and optics based on the complete application.

Industrial Traceability Marking

AB-F Series is particularly well suited to permanent product identification and traceability.

The system can be used for:

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

The information can be changed automatically from one product to the next.

This makes fibre laser technology particularly useful in automated production environments where every component requires a unique and machine-readable identity.

Abmarca – Software for Marking and Automation

AB-F Series uses Abmark’s Abmarca software.

The software is used to create marking files containing text, logos, bitmap images and 1D and 2D codes. Abmark also provides functionality for mail merge, serialisation and coding.

This means that the same laser system can handle both fixed and variable product information.

Marking data can, for example, be linked to:

• Production orders
• Serial number sequences
• Part numbers
• Batch information
• Databases
• Higher-level IT systems

The marking process can therefore become an integrated part of the company’s traceability workflow.

TCP/IP Communication with PLC and ERP Systems

For automated production, the laser needs to communicate with other systems.

AB-F Series supports TCP/IP communication for fast data transfer with systems including PLC and ERP platforms.

This makes it possible to automatically transfer the correct marking data to the correct product.

For example, a higher-level system can send a serial number or product ID to the laser, after which the marking is performed without requiring the operator to enter the information manually.

This reduces the risk of errors and makes AB-F Series suitable for production environments with demanding traceability requirements.

Integrated Control for Standalone Operation

An important feature of AB-F Series is its integrated dual-CPU architecture.

Abmark specifies that the laser can operate independently without requiring a PC to remain permanently connected during production.

This is particularly valuable for machine integration.

Marking programs and production logic can be handled within the system while the production machine communicates with the laser via I/O or network connections.

This reduces the need for additional control computers on the production line and contributes to a robust production solution.

I/O for Automated Applications

AB-F Series includes integrated functionality for motion control and I/O integration.

This allows the laser system to communicate directly with sensors, PLC systems and other devices within the production machine.

An automated sequence could, for example, involve:

1. The component is positioned.
2. A sensor confirms the correct position.
3. Product data is transferred to the laser.
4. Marking starts automatically.
5. The laser sends a completion signal.
6. The component proceeds to the next production stage.

Laser marking can therefore become a fully integrated process within the production line.

Control of up to Four Axes

AB-F Series supports rotary, X, Y and Z axes – up to four axes as standard.

This provides considerable flexibility when designing more advanced marking systems.

A Z-axis can, for example, be used to adjust the focus for components of different heights.

X and Y axes can move the component between several marking positions or be used with larger fixtures.

A rotary axis makes it possible to mark around cylindrical components.

The same laser platform can therefore be used in everything from relatively straightforward workstations to advanced multi-axis production systems.

Integration into Production Lines

AB-F Series is designed for industrial integration.

The laser head can be installed directly into a special-purpose machine, production cell or automated line where the product is positioned in front of the laser.

This makes the system particularly attractive for production environments where laser marking should not be a separate manual operation but an integrated part of the normal manufacturing process.

Examples of integrations include:

• Robotic cells
• Assembly lines
• Conveyor systems
• Automated inspection stations
• Special-purpose machines
• Production cells with vision inspection
• Traceability systems

Integration with Abmark Mini, Midi and Maxi

AB-F Series can also be combined with Abmark’s workstations.

Abstation-Mini is the compact workstation for smaller components and applications where a small machine footprint is an advantage.

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

Abstation-Maxi is the larger workstation for large components and more advanced system solutions.

This means that the same fundamental laser technology can be used in different machine concepts depending on component size and production requirements.

Marking Plastics

Although AB-F Series is primarily designed for metal marking, fibre lasers can also produce excellent results on many engineering plastics.

Abmark specifies that the series can mark most metals as well as several different plastics.

The laser beam can, for example, produce a local colour change, foaming or another material reaction that creates contrast.

However, results can vary considerably between different types of plastic, pigments and additives.

Two plastics that appear visually identical can react very differently to the same laser.

LMI therefore always recommends sample marking when evaluating a new plastic material.

For Automotive and Engineering Industries

Permanent and clearly readable identification is important in many industrial sectors.

In the automotive industry, laser marking is used for applications including identification of metal components, VIN information, bearings, gears and engine components.

In general engineering, the technology is used for tool steels, carbide, cutting tools, hand tools and precision components.

AB-F Series is therefore suitable for a wide range of industrial production environments where marking needs to be permanent and integrated into the manufacturing process.

For Medical Devices

Permanent marking and traceability are also important in medical technology.

Abmark identifies stainless steel and titanium, as well as products such as surgical instruments and dental equipment, as typical medical applications.

In suitable applications, fibre laser technology can create permanent information directly on the surface of the component without requiring a separate label.

Material, marking depth and other process requirements must always be evaluated according to the specific product and applicable requirements.

Event Handler for Customised Process Logic

AB-F Series also features an Event Handler module for customising marking sequences and communication with other devices.

This makes it possible to create more advanced logic around the marking process.

For example, the system can respond to external signals, control peripheral equipment or handle different process events depending on the product being marked.

This provides additional flexibility for special-purpose machines and automated production lines.

Typical Applications

Abmark AB-F Series is particularly suitable for:

• Permanent metal marking
• Industrial traceability
• Automotive components
• Electronic components
• Machine components
• Tools
• Medical components
• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• UID marking
• Barcodes
• Logos
• Product information
• Marking engineering plastics
• Automated production lines
• Special-purpose machines
• Multi-axis marking systems

Advantages of Abmark AB-F Series

• Industrial fibre laser for metal marking
• Q-switched fibre laser technology
• MOPA options for more demanding applications
• Power levels from 10 to 100 W in the current AB-F Series
• Suitable for most common industrial metals
• Also marks many engineering plastics
• Integrated dual-CPU architecture
• Can operate without a permanently connected PC
• TCP/IP communication
• PLC and ERP integration
• Integrated motion control
• I/O for automated applications
• Support for up to four motorised axes
• Abmarca software
• Serialisation and variable marking data
• Event Handler for customised process control
• Suitable for machine integration and automated production solutions
• Long service life and low maintenance requirements

AB-F Series or Abmark AB-F Halo?

Abmark also offers AB-F Halo within its fibre laser range. Both product families are designed for metal marking, but they are optimised for different types of installations.

AB-F Series is particularly attractive when the system is to be integrated into production machinery or when advanced automation, communication and axis control are required.

AB-F Halo, on the other hand, is focused on standalone marking applications and can be combined with Abmark workstations.

LMI will help you select the appropriate fibre laser platform based on your actual production environment.

AB-F Series or CO₂ Laser?

The material is one of the most important factors when selecting the appropriate laser technology.

AB-F Series fibre lasers are primarily designed for metals and many engineering plastics.

A CO₂ laser, such as the Abmark AB-C Series, is instead primarily used for other materials where the CO₂ laser wavelength provides better absorption.

If there is any uncertainty, the material should always be sample marked.

Selecting the correct laser wavelength is often considerably more important than focusing solely on laser power.

Class 4 and Laser Safety

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

These may include:

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

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

LMI can assist with both system integration and laser safety solutions.

Send Us a Material Sample

Are you unsure which fibre laser, power level or optics are required?

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

We can assess:

• Material
• Required marking result
• Marking field
• Level of detail
• Laser power
• Laser technology
• Marking time and cycle time
• Fixturing
• Automation
• Communication requirements
• Laser safety

If required, we can carry out sample marking to verify both the result and processing time before the system is specified.

Contact LMI

Would you like to learn more about Abmark AB-F Series or discuss fibre lasers for industrial metal marking and automation?

Contact us and we will help you select the appropriate laser technology, power, optics and integration solution based on your material and production requirements.

Technical Specifications

Abmark’s current AB-F Series includes the AB-F 10, AB-F 20, AB-F 30, AB-F 50 and AB-F 100 models.

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