TYKMA Electrox Zetalase Duo Dial Index
Zetalase Duo Dial Index is an automated laser marking workstation designed for high-volume production where short cycle times and maximum laser utilisation are essential. The two-position indexing table allows the operator to load and unload components while marking is taking place at the other station.
Laser Marking for High-Volume Production
TYKMA Electrox Zetalase Duo Dial Index is designed for production environments where large volumes of components need to be marked quickly, consistently and efficiently.
Unlike a conventional laser marking workstation, production does not need to stop while the operator changes components.
The rotary indexing table divides the working area into two stations. While the laser processes components at one station, the operator can simultaneously unload finished parts and load new ones at the other.
Once marking is complete, the table indexes and the next set of components moves directly into the marking area.
The result is a continuous production flow with minimal downtime between marking cycles.
Two-Position Indexing Table
At the heart of Zetalase Duo Dial Index is a robust rotary indexing table with two working positions.
The table has a diameter of 600 mm and is designed for high operating frequencies and long service life in industrial production.
One half of the table is positioned inside the enclosed laser area while the other remains accessible to the operator.
Once marking is complete, the indexing table rotates and switches the two positions.
This combines manual or semi-automatic component handling with a highly efficient automated marking process.
Load and Unload While the Laser Is Working
In a conventional workstation, part of each production cycle is used to open the machine, remove the finished component, position a new component and close the workstation again.
With Zetalase Duo Dial Index, these operations take place in parallel with the laser marking process.
The operator works at the external station while the laser operates at the internal station.
This means that a significantly greater proportion of the available production time is used for actual marking.
At high production volumes, these time savings can have a significant impact on overall capacity and cost per marked component.
Custom Fixtures for Efficient Production
The indexing table can be equipped with customised fixtures for the specific component.
A fixture can accommodate a single larger part or multiple smaller components that are marked during the same cycle.
Correct fixturing provides fast and repeatable positioning while reducing the risk of incorrectly positioned components.
For products manufactured in large volumes, the fixture can also be designed to make loading and unloading as simple and ergonomic as possible.
LMI can help develop fixture solutions tailored to the component, marking position and required cycle time.
Safe Class 1 Workstation
Zetalase Duo Dial Index is designed as a safe Class 1 laser workstation during normal operation.
A partition separates the operator loading station from the active laser area. Laser-safe viewing windows allow the process to be monitored while keeping the laser radiation enclosed.
The system is also equipped with safety light curtains around the operator working area.
This makes it possible to combine fast component handling with a safe working environment.
Programmable Focus Height
Zetalase Duo Dial Index features programmable focus height adjustment.
The focus position is controlled through the system software and can be automatically adapted to different components and product types.
This is particularly useful when different products are processed in the same machine or when several component types are included in production.
Automatic focus height adjustment reduces the need for manual settings and contributes to high and repeatable marking quality.
Multiple Laser Technologies for Different Materials
Zetalase Duo Dial Index is a flexible system platform that can be configured with different laser technologies depending on the material and application.
The system is available with MOPA fibre, CO₂ and UV laser technology.
This allows the same basic machine concept to be used for a wide range of industrial materials and products.
Fibre and MOPA lasers are primarily used for metals and many engineering plastics, while CO₂ and UV technologies extend the range of materials and applications that can be processed.
LMI helps you select the right laser technology, power and optics based on the material, production volume and required marking result.
What Can Be Marked with Zetalase Duo Dial Index?
The range of suitable materials depends on the laser technology installed in the system.
With the appropriate configuration, the system can be used to mark materials including:
- Stainless steel
- Steel
- Aluminium and anodised aluminium
- Titanium
- Brass and other metals
- Many engineering plastics
- Painted and coated components
- Polymers and other materials
- Materials suitable for CO₂ or UV laser processing
The exact marking result depends on the material properties, selected laser technology, optics and programmed laser parameters.
Typical Applications
Zetalase Duo Dial Index is particularly well suited to products manufactured and marked in high volumes, including:
- Automotive components
- Electronic components
- Medical technology components
- Tools and industrial components
- Fittings and machine parts
- Serial numbers and part numbers
- Data Matrix codes and QR codes
- Barcodes
- UID and traceability marking
- Logos and graphical symbols
- Product and manufacturing information
- Marking multiple components within the same fixture
Laser marking provides a permanent mark and normally requires no consumables such as inks, labels or chemicals.
Designed for Short Cycle Times
In high-volume production, laser marking speed is only one part of the total cycle time.
Loading, unloading, positioning and other manual operations can in many cases take as long as the marking process itself.
Zetalase Duo Dial Index addresses this by allowing component handling to take place in parallel with the laser process.
Once a marking cycle is complete, the system only needs to index the table before the next cycle can begin.
This makes the system particularly attractive when every second of the production cycle matters.
Integration and Traceability
In high-volume production, traceability is often a central part of the marking process.
The system software can handle serial numbers, date codes, Data Matrix codes and other variable product information.
Zetalase Duo Dial Index can also be used in production environments where marking data needs to communicate with external systems.
Depending on the application, the solution can be configured for communication with networks, databases, PLC systems and barcode readers.
This makes it possible to create a marking process where the correct information is automatically linked to the correct component.
When Is an Indexing Table the Right Solution?
An indexing table is particularly attractive when production volumes are high enough for the time between marking cycles to have a significant impact on overall productivity.
If a component is only marked a few times per day, a conventional workstation may provide a simpler and more cost-effective solution.
For continuous series production, however, the calculation changes.
When the operator can prepare the next component while the laser is working, total production capacity can increase without requiring the laser process itself to become faster.
LMI can analyse both marking time and component handling to determine which system solution will provide the best overall cycle time.
Advantages of Zetalase Duo Dial Index
- Designed for high-volume production
- Two-position 600 mm indexing table
- Loading and unloading while marking is in progress
- Minimal downtime between marking cycles
- Robust indexer designed for high operating frequencies
- Safe Class 1 laser design
- Safety light curtains for operator protection
- Programmable Focus Height
- Customised fixture options
- MOPA fibre, CO₂ or UV laser technology
- High marking quality and repeatability
- Integrated PC and operator interface
- Production and data integration options
- Suitable for traceability marking and variable data
- Designed for long production runs and short cycle times
Zetalase Duo Dial Index or a Conventional Workstation?
The key difference between Zetalase Duo Dial Index and a system such as Zetalase XL is how components are handled during production.
In a conventional workstation, marking and component changeover take place sequentially.
With Duo Dial Index, they take place in parallel.
This means that Zetalase XL may be the better choice when flexibility, a large working area and varying products are the main priorities.
Zetalase Duo Dial Index, on the other hand, is particularly effective when the same or similar products need to be marked in high volumes and maximum production throughput is the priority.
The choice should therefore be based on the entire production process – not simply on which laser is required.
Send Us a Part for Sample Marking and Cycle Time Analysis
Do you have a product that needs to be marked in high volumes?
Send us a part, drawing or material sample and we will help you evaluate both the marking process and the production setup.
For a high-volume application, we consider not only the marking result but also marking time, the number of components per fixture, loading and unloading, and the potential overall cycle time.
We can also discuss fixturing, traceability and integration with other production equipment.
This allows the system solution to be optimised for the actual production process before an investment decision is made.
Contact LMI
Would you like to learn more about TYKMA Electrox Zetalase Duo Dial Index or discuss automated laser marking for high-volume production?
Contact us and we will help you develop the right solution based on your material, component, production volume, cycle time and traceability requirements.
*Marking field, maximum part height and other specifications vary depending on the selected laser technology, optics and system configuration. TYKMA specifies 100 × 100 mm as standard for fibre and UV, with optics available for marking fields up to 260 × 260 mm.