Abmark F Series – Fibre Lasers for Industrial Laser Marking

Abmark F Series is a family of industrial fibre lasers for fast, permanent and repeatable marking of metals, engineering plastics and certain composite materials. The series includes solutions ranging from conventional metal marking and engraving to MOPA processes, high-speed marking and marking of complex 3D geometries. The laser systems can be integrated into automated production lines or combined with standalone workstations.

A Flexible Fibre Laser Platform for Industry

Abmark F Series is designed for industrial applications where high marking quality, long service life and automation capabilities are important.

Fibre laser technology is particularly well suited to permanent metal marking and is widely used in industries such as:

• General engineering
• Automotive
• Electronics
• Medical technology
• Machine manufacturing
• Tool manufacturing
• General industrial manufacturing

Abmark describes its fibre laser range as particularly suitable for demanding metal marking applications, while also being capable of marking several plastics and composite materials.

The system can be integrated directly into production machinery or installed in a complete marking workstation depending on how the components need to be handled.

Permanent Metal Marking

Fibre laser technology is a highly effective method for permanent metal marking.

Depending on the material and selected laser parameters, the process can be used for applications such as:

• Contrast marking
• Engraving
• Deep engraving
• Black marking
• Material removal
• Removal of paint or coatings
• Permanent product identification

Typical materials include:

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

Abmark’s fibre lasers are designed to create fast, permanent and clearly readable markings on virtually all types of metals.

F Series Standard – for Conventional Industrial Metal Marking

The standard version of F Series is designed for demanding industrial metal marking.

F Series has been available in several power levels, while Abmark’s current fibre laser range includes solutions covering a broad range of laser powers.

The standard fibre laser is an excellent choice for applications such as:

• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Logos
• Product information
• Engraving
• Industrial traceability

The appropriate laser power depends on the material, required result, marking area and cycle time.

LMI will help you select the appropriate power level and optics for your application.

F Series MOPA – Greater Control of the Laser Pulse

For applications requiring greater control of the laser process, F Series MOPA is available.

MOPA technology makes it possible to control the characteristics of the laser pulse over a wider range than with a conventional Q-switched fibre laser.

This provides greater flexibility when the marking process needs to be optimised for applications such as:

• Engineering plastics
• Sensitive materials
• Surface-treated components
• Contrast marking
• Fine detailed marking
• Processes where heat input needs to be minimised

LMI will help you determine whether a standard fibre laser or MOPA is best suited to the material and required marking result.

F Series UHS – High-Speed Marking

For production lines where very short cycle times are critical, F Series UHS – Ultra High Speed provides a high-speed solution.

The UHS version uses a digital high-speed scanner for rapid marking of products, including applications where products are moving through the production process.

This makes the solution particularly interesting for:

• Continuous production lines
• Products moving on conveyor systems
• High production volumes
• Rapid serialisation
• Automated coding
• Applications with very limited available marking time

For this type of application, product speed, information content, laser power and optics need to be specified as a complete system.

F Series 3D – Marking Complex Geometries

Not all products have flat surfaces.

F Series 3D uses a laser head that enables the focus to be adapted across components with varying geometries.

This can be particularly valuable when marking:

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

With conventional 2D laser marking, the surface normally needs to remain within the limited focal range of the optics.

A 3D system can instead dynamically adjust the focus over a larger height range.

F Series MOPA 3D – Combined Process Flexibility

For applications requiring both complex geometry handling and greater control of the laser pulse, F Series MOPA 3D is also available.

This combines the process flexibility of MOPA technology with a laser head designed for 3D geometries.

It can be an attractive solution for products where:

• The surface is not flat
• The material requires precise process control
• Multiple height levels need to be marked
• Complex geometry is combined with demanding quality requirements

The appropriate 3D configuration depends on the component geometry, height variation and required marking result.

Industrial Traceability

F Series is particularly well suited to permanent product identification.

The laser can create information such as:

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

The information can change automatically from one component to the next.

This makes the technology particularly useful in automated production environments where each product requires a unique identity.

Data Matrix, QR Codes and Barcodes

F Series can be used to create standardised 1D and 2D codes.

Machine-readable codes make it possible to connect the physical component with information stored in the company’s production and quality systems.

A Data Matrix code can, for example, be linked to:

• Production order
• Serial number
• Batch
• Material information
• Inspection results
• Production date
• Product variant

The high precision of fibre laser technology makes it particularly well suited to small and detailed machine-readable markings.

Abmarca – Software for Marking and Variable Data

F Series uses Abmark’s Abmarca software.

The software can be used to create and manage:

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

Marking data can also be retrieved from higher-level IT and production systems.

This makes it possible to automate the marking process and ensure that the correct information is applied to the correct product.

Integration with Higher-Level Production Systems

In modern manufacturing, the marking system is often part of a larger information flow.

Product data can be retrieved from systems and devices such as:

• PLC
• Database
• Production system
• ERP system
• MES system
• Barcode reader
• Other production equipment

This allows manual data entry by the operator to be minimised.

It reduces the risk of errors and makes it easier to establish complete traceability throughout the production process.

Flexible User Interface

Depending on the system configuration, F Series can be operated using:

• PC or laptop
• Touchscreen
• Handheld terminal

This allows the user interface to be adapted to the installation.

A PC may be the natural choice for development and programming, while a touchscreen or handheld terminal may be more practical for operators during daily production.

Automation and Motorised Axes

The fibre laser system can be combined with motorised axes for more advanced marking tasks.

Depending on the system configuration, this can include:

• Motorised Z-axis
• X-axis
• Y-axis
• Rotary axis

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

X and Y axes can move components between different marking positions.

A rotary axis can be used for cylindrical products such as shafts, tubes, tools and rings.

Integration into Production Lines

F Series can be integrated directly into automated production machinery.

Typical installations include:

• Robotic cells
• Assembly lines
• Conveyor systems
• Special-purpose machines
• Inspection stations
• Automated marking cells
• Traceability systems

When the laser is integrated directly into the production process, component positioning, marking data, cycle time and laser safety need to be evaluated together.

Integration with Abstation Mini, Midi and Maxi

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

Abstation-Mini is the compact solution for smaller components.

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

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

This makes it possible to select the workstation size according to the component while using the same fundamental fibre laser technology.

Automotive and Engineering Industries

Fibre laser technology is widely used in automotive and general engineering applications.

Typical examples include marking of:

• VIN numbers
• Gears
• Bearings
• Engine components
• Aluminium components
• Steel components
• Tool steels
• Carbide
• Cutting tools
• Precision components

Permanent marking makes it possible to identify and trace components even after many years of use.

Medical Devices

Fibre lasers are also used for marking medical devices.

Typical materials include stainless steel and titanium, with applications such as surgical instruments and dental equipment.

Laser marking can create permanent information directly on the component without labels or printing inks.

For medical applications, the material, marking process and applicable regulatory requirements must always be evaluated for the specific product.

Marking Engineering Plastics

F Series is primarily a laser platform for metal marking, but fibre lasers can also produce excellent results on certain engineering plastics.

The result is strongly influenced by the plastic’s:

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

Two plastics that appear identical can therefore produce completely different marking results.

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

Long Service Life and Low Maintenance Requirements

Fibre laser is a solid-state technology with few moving or consumable components within the laser source itself.

Long service life and low maintenance requirements are important advantages in industrial production and contribute to low overall operating costs.

Laser marking also normally requires no:

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

This makes the technology particularly attractive for continuous industrial production.

Typical Applications

Abmark F Series is particularly suitable for:

• Permanent metal marking
• Engraving
• Deep engraving
• Industrial traceability
• Serial numbers
• Part numbers
• Data Matrix codes
• QR codes
• Barcodes
• UID marking
• Automotive components
• Machine components
• Tools
• Medical components
• Electronics
• Engineering plastics
• Automated production lines
• Marking products in motion
• 3D geometries
• Cylindrical components
• Special-purpose machines

Advantages of Abmark F Series

• Industrial fibre laser platform
• Designed for demanding metal marking
• Multiple power levels
• Standard fibre and MOPA technology
• UHS version for high-speed marking
• 3D version for complex geometries
• MOPA 3D for advanced applications
• Permanent and repeatable marking
• Machine-readable 1D and 2D codes
• Abmarca software
• Variable marking data
• Integration with higher-level IT systems
• PC, touchscreen or handheld terminal operation
• Motorised axis options
• Integration into production lines
• Compatible with Mini, Midi and Maxi workstations
• Long service life
• Low maintenance requirements

Which F Series Is Right for Your Application?

F Series includes several technical solutions for different types of marking.

F Series Standard is the natural choice for many conventional metal marking and engraving processes.

F Series MOPA provides greater control of the laser pulse and a wider process window.

F Series UHS is designed for applications where very high marking speed is important.

F Series 3D is intended for products with complex or varying geometries.

F Series MOPA 3D combines the process flexibility of MOPA technology with the ability to mark 3D geometries.

The most suitable solution is therefore determined by the component, material, required marking result and production rate.

LMI will help you select the appropriate F Series configuration for your application.

Class 4 and Laser Safety

When 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 service panels
• Safety circuits
• Controlled material openings
• Risk assessment
• Appropriate service and operating procedures

When the laser is installed in a correctly designed workstation or safety enclosure, the complete solution 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 most suitable laser system is 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
• Marking products in motion
• Fixturing
• Automation
• Axis control
• Data 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 F Series or discuss fibre lasers for metal marking, 3D marking or automated production?

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