Abmark AB-F Halo – Fibre Laser for Flexible Standalone Laser Marking

Abmark AB-F Halo is a powerful and user-friendly fibre laser for permanent marking and engraving of metals and many engineering plastics. The system is designed for static, standalone marking applications where quick installation, easy changeover between different jobs and high marking quality are important. AB-F Halo can be combined with Abmark’s Mini, Midi and Maxi workstations, providing a flexible solution for industrial product marking, engraving and traceability.

Fibre Laser for Standalone Laser Marking

Unlike laser systems primarily designed for direct integration into production lines, AB-F Halo has been specifically developed for static and standalone marking applications.

This makes the system suitable for applications where the operator places the component in a workstation, selects or loads the relevant marking job and then starts the marking process.

Abmark highlights quick installation and easy changeover between different jobs as important features of AB-F Halo.

This is particularly suitable for production environments where:

• Many different parts need to be marked
• Production batches vary
• Marking content changes frequently
• Operators need to switch quickly between jobs
• A complete standalone workstation is more appropriate than production-line integration

Permanent Metal Marking

Fibre laser technology makes AB-F Halo particularly suitable for permanent metal marking.

Typical materials for AB-F Halo include:

• Aluminium
• Stainless steel
• Titanium
• Other metals
• Many plastics

Abmark’s fibre lasers are designed for fast, permanent and clearly readable marking across a very wide range of metals.

Depending on the material and laser parameters, the process can be used for:

• Contrast marking
• Engraving
• Deep engraving
• Black marking
• Product identification
• Removal of surface coatings

Marking Engineering Plastics

AB-F Halo can also be used to mark a variety of plastic materials.

On plastics, the laser beam can create a material reaction that produces, for example, a light or dark contrast against the surrounding surface.

However, the result depends greatly on the composition of the plastic.

Factors affecting the result include:

• Polymer
• Pigment
• Colour
• Fillers
• Additives
• Surface structure

Two plastic components that look identical can therefore react very differently to the same laser.

LMI recommends sample marking whenever a new plastic material is being evaluated.

Quick Changeover Between Different Marking Jobs

One of the strengths of AB-F Halo is its flexibility when producing different parts.

The system is designed for quick job changeover, making it particularly suitable for companies where the same marking workstation is used for many different components.

The operator can, for example, switch between:

• Different products
• Different marking layouts
• Different serial number sequences
• Different part numbers
• Different fixtures
• Different production orders

This makes AB-F Halo particularly attractive for flexible production with small and medium-sized batches.

Permanent Traceability Marking

AB-F Halo can be used for permanent product identification and industrial traceability.

The marking can contain:

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

The system supports standardised 1D codes, 2D Data Matrix codes and QR codes.

This makes AB-F Halo useful whenever each product requires a unique and permanent identity.

Data Matrix, QR Codes and Barcodes

Machine-readable codes are increasingly used in modern industrial production.

A Data Matrix code can contain a large amount of information in a small area and link the physical component to information within the company’s production or quality systems.

This information can include:

• Serial number
• Production order
• Batch
• Production date
• Part number
• Product variant
• Inspection information

AB-F Halo can create standardised 1D and 2D codes as well as QR codes.

High-Resolution Logos and Graphics

Laser marking is not limited to traceability information.

AB-F Halo can also create high-resolution images and logos.

This makes the system useful for applications such as:

• Company logos
• Product graphics
• Symbols
• Instructions
• Decorative marking
• Product branding

Since the information is created directly on the product surface, no separate label or printing process is required.

Engraving with High Repeatability

AB-F Halo is not limited to surface contrast marking.

The system can also be used for deep, fast and repeatable engraving.

Engraving can be useful where the marking needs to:

• Be mechanically durable
• Be clearly permanent
• Have a defined depth
• Withstand wear
• Form part of the visual product design

The achievable engraving depth and processing time depend on factors including the material, laser power, marking area and selected optics.

AB-F Halo and MOPA

The F Halo product family has included both conventional fibre laser versions and F Halo MOPA configurations.

MOPA technology provides greater control over the characteristics of the laser pulse.

This can be advantageous for:

• Sensitive materials
• Engineering plastics
• Fine contrast marking
• Surface-treated components
• Processes where heat input needs to be minimised
• Marking applications with narrow process windows

LMI will help you determine the appropriate laser technology and power level for your material and required marking result.

AB-F Halo MOPA 3D

The F Halo range has also included an F Halo MOPA 3D configuration.

3D technology is particularly useful when the marking surface of the component is not completely flat.

Examples include:

• Curved surfaces
• Inclined surfaces
• Components with different height levels
• Moulded parts
• Products with complex geometries

By combining 3D functionality with MOPA technology, the system can provide greater flexibility in terms of both geometry and laser process control.

The appropriate 3D solution needs to be specified according to the geometry of the component and the actual marking requirements.

AbhaloCAD – Marking Software

AB-F Halo uses AbhaloCAD, Abmark’s software platform for the Halo system.

The system can be used to create and manage:

• Text
• Serial numbers
• Graphics
• Logos
• Barcodes
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Variable information

AB-F Halo also provides functionality for mail merge, serialisation and coding.

This makes it possible to automate changes in marking information from one component to the next.

PC-Based User Interface

AB-F Halo is designed for operation with a Windows-based PC.

The system is Microsoft Windows compatible and can be operated from a PC or laptop.

This provides the operator with a clear graphical interface for creating, editing and selecting marking jobs.

Motion Control and I/O

Although AB-F Halo is primarily designed for standalone applications, the system also provides automation functionality.

Integrated motion control and I/O interfaces allow rotary and linear axes to be connected.

This means that a standalone workstation can be expanded with automated functions without necessarily requiring a fully integrated production-line solution.

Up to Four Motorised Axes

AB-F Halo supports rotary, X/Y and Z-axis functionality.

The system supports up to two axes as standard and up to four axes as an option.

This opens up a wide range of applications.

Z-Axis

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

X and Y Axes

Linear axes can be used to move components between multiple marking positions or to handle larger fixtures.

Rotary Axis

A rotary axis can be used for cylindrical components such as:

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

This makes AB-F Halo considerably more flexible than a simple manual marking workstation.

Abstation-Mini – Compact Marking Workstation

AB-F Halo can be combined with Abstation-Mini.

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

The combination is particularly suitable for companies that need a flexible fibre laser solution while keeping machine size and required floor space to a minimum.

Abstation-Midi – Greater Flexibility

For larger components and more flexible fixturing, AB-F Halo can be combined with Abstation-Midi.

The larger working area provides additional space for:

• Larger components
• Fixtures
• Rotary units
• Motorised axes
• Different product variants

This makes Midi a flexible platform for production environments where component sizes vary.

Abstation-Maxi – for Large Components

For large components, AB-F Halo can be combined with Abstation-Maxi.

Maxi provides considerably more working space and is suitable for applications where the component size or fixturing requires a larger workstation.

The Mini, Midi and Maxi platforms therefore allow the workstation to be selected according to the size and handling requirements of the component.

Automotive and Engineering Industries

Fibre laser technology is well established within automotive and general engineering industries.

AB-F Halo can be used for applications such as:

• Machine components
• Tools
• Gears
• Bearings
• Engine components
• Aluminium parts
• Steel components
• Serial numbers
• Traceability codes

Permanent marking makes it possible to identify components throughout a large part of their service life.

Medical Devices

Fibre lasers are also used for permanent marking of medical devices.

Typical materials and products include stainless steel, titanium, surgical instruments and dental equipment.

For these applications, the marking process must always be evaluated against the product material, function and applicable regulatory requirements.

Jewellery and Decorative Engraving

AB-F Halo can also be an attractive solution for decorative marking and engraving.

Laser technology can be used for marking and personalising products such as:

• Rings
• Bracelets
• Necklaces
• Watches

on materials including gold, silver and platinum.

The digital process makes it possible to switch quickly between different texts, symbols and graphics.

AB-F Halo or AB-F Series?

Both AB-F Halo and AB-F Series use fibre laser technology for industrial marking, but they are designed with different applications in mind.

AB-F Halo is primarily intended for static, standalone marking applications where quick installation and easy changeover between different jobs are important.

AB-F Series is a broader industrial fibre laser platform that is particularly well suited to integration into machinery and automated production solutions.

This makes AB-F Halo especially attractive for companies looking for a flexible marking workstation where operators work with different products and production orders.

LMI will help you determine which platform is best suited to your production requirements.

Low Operating and Maintenance Costs

Fibre lasers generally require very few ongoing consumables.

AB-F Halo is designed for minimal operating costs and very low maintenance requirements.

The marking process normally requires no:

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

This contributes to low ongoing costs and makes fibre laser technology attractive for industrial production.

Accessories and System Customisation

AB-F Halo can be equipped with additional components depending on the application.

Available equipment can include:

• Aiming laser
• Encoder kit
• Photocell
• Alarm package
• Mounting support
• U-ARM mounting bracket
• Fume extraction
• Rotary unit

The accessories required depend on how the component is handled and which marking process is used.

Typical Applications

Abmark AB-F Halo is particularly suitable for:

• Permanent metal marking
• Engraving
• Deep engraving
• Industrial traceability
• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Barcodes
• Logos
• Product information
• Engineering plastics
• Automotive components
• Machine components
• Tools
• Medical components
• Jewellery and decorative marking
• Cylindrical components
• Small and medium-sized production batches
• Production with many product variants

Advantages of Abmark AB-F Halo

• Fibre laser for standalone industrial marking
• Designed for static/off-line applications
• Quick changeover between different jobs
• Permanent marking of most metals
• Also marks several engineering plastics
• Standard fibre and MOPA options
• 3D options depending on configuration
• High-resolution images and logos
• 1D barcodes
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Serialisation and variable information
• AbhaloCAD software
• Microsoft Windows compatible
• Integrated motion control and I/O
• Up to two axes as standard
• Up to four axes as an option
• Can be combined with Abstation Mini, Midi and Maxi
• Low operating costs
• Low maintenance requirements

Class 4 and Laser Safety

The laser component must always be handled according to its applicable laser classification and the design of the complete installation.

When AB-F Halo is installed in a correctly designed workstation, the safety system may need to include:

• Laser-safe enclosure
• Interlocked doors and access panels
• Safety circuits
• Controlled openings
• Risk assessment
• Service and operating procedures

LMI can assist with workstation selection, system integration and laser safety solutions.

Send Us a Material Sample

The most suitable fibre laser, power level and optics are determined by the actual application.

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
• 2D or 3D marking
• Marking time and cycle time
• Fixturing
• Rotary marking
• Axis control
• Workstation
• Fume extraction
• Laser safety

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

Contact LMI

Would you like to learn more about Abmark AB-F Halo or discuss a flexible fibre laser solution for standalone industrial marking?

Contact us and we will help you select the appropriate laser technology, power, optics, workstation and system configuration for your application.

Technical Specifications

Available models, laser power levels, MOPA and 3D options, optics and system configurations are subject to change. LMI will help you select the current configuration best suited to your application.