Labeling Production Improvements | KEYENCE Laser Marking

Labeling/Laser Marking Characteristics

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Labeling characteristics	- Able to display multiple details - Able to support various products and materials - Low initial cost - Able to create highly visible displays - Able to create well-designed displays	- Can peel off and be peeled off - Running costs increase in proportion to the amount of goods manufactured - A plate must be created when changing the display details or layout - Requires inventory management - Generates garbage such as label backings
Laser marking characteristics	- Able to mark characters that do not fade - Able to mark characters on curved surfaces - Able to mark characters on soft products as well - Low running costs - Easy to change the marking details just by making changes in the software	- High initial cost - Difficult to create well-designed displays

Selection according to Needs

Comparison details	Laser marker	Labeling
Amount of marking details	Good	Good
Effect of the material	Acceptable	Good
Visibility	Good	Good
Design	Acceptable	Good
Initial cost	Poor	Good
Running costs	Good	Poor
Marking durability	Good	Poor
Ease of changing marking details	Good	Poor
Inventory management hassle	Good	Poor
Environmental concerns	Good	Poor

Improvement on the Labels Used for Electrical Appliance Precautions

Laser markers can be used to mark precautions and specifications directly on electrical appliances.
The laser marker discolors the resin itself, which generates marking that is clear and does not fade.
A wide variety of products can be supported in ways such as displaying the specifications, providing information in foreign languages for sale of the product overseas, and marking the precautions on the product.

1. Improvement on the Labels Used for Electrical Appliance Precautions

Application Examples

Battery pack

Key Points to the Improvement

1Quality: Clear marking that does not fade even when the product is used for a long period of time is possible.

2Cost: The running costs of labels, which increase according to the number of sheets used, are eliminated.
The cost of creating a plate when changing the display details is also eliminated.

3Work efficiency: It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work—such as tooling changes for different models, label inventory management, and the creation of a plate when changing the details—required.

4Environment: The elimination of garbage such as label backings contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

Improvement from Traceability Labels on PCBs

Laser markers and inkjet printers can be used to mark lot numbers and 2D codes for process management directly on PCBs.
This enables accurate traceability even for PCBs, which have a high density of components and no space to affix labels.
In consideration of the need to make products even thinner, it is possible to eliminate the label thickness. This contributes to thinner and more compact products.

2. Improvement from Traceability Labels on PCBs

Application Examples

Laser marking on a PCB

Key Points to the Improvement

1Quality: Direct marking enables accurate traceability even for PCBs, which have a high density of components.
The label thickness is eliminated in order to make products thinner.

2Cost: The running costs of expensive heat-resistant labels are eliminated.
Increased production volume leads to increased label costs. Using a laser marker prevents this problem.

3Work efficiency: It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work—such as tooling changes for different models, label inventory management, and the creation of a plate when changing the details—required.

4Environment: The elimination of garbage such as label backings contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

Creation of Vehicle Nameplates Using Laser Labels

Vehicle nameplates can be changed to laser labels. Using laser labels provides support for multiple models and also contributes to countermeasures for preventing forgery.
The labels can be cut in half, which makes it possible to create as many labels as are necessary when necessary within the company.
This makes it possible to greatly reduce both costs and lead time.

3. Creation of Vehicle Nameplates Using Laser Labels

Application Examples

Nameplate

Key Points to the Improvement

1Quality: Once affixed, it is not possible to peel these special labels off cleanly, which helps prevent forgery. They are highly resistant to heat, oil, and water, so they can display information clearly for a long period of time.

2Cost: It is possible to create as many labels as are necessary when necessary, which reduces unnecessary costs. The cost of creating plates such as those for different vehicle models and those having different languages for different countries is reduced.

3Work efficiency: There is no need to stop the production line; products can be marked while they are being conveyed. The model can be switched with the touch of a button, which improves productivity.

4Environment: There is no need for an excessive inventory of labels. This makes it possible to save resources, which contributes to environmental initiatives (CSR).

Improvement to Barcode Labels on Cartons

Laser markers can be used for the display labels on objects such as cardboard and cosmetics boxes. There are multiple combinations of the contents contained in these packages. In order to mark these packages with information such as the shipping destination and the management number, it was conventionally necessary to change the type of label affixed to the package or to print multiple types of labels on the box. However, by using a laser marker to perform marking, it is possible to greatly reduce the number of label models and the work required for inventory management.

4. Improvement to Barcode Labels on Cartons

Application Examples

GS1 DataBar marking

Key Points to the Improvement

1Cost: The problems of affixing the wrong label and the labels peeling off are both eliminated.

2Cost: The label costs arising from the amount of products shipped are greatly reduced. The consolidation of label models leads to reductions in inventory and printing costs.

3Work efficiency: It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of work—such as tooling changes for different models, label inventory management, and the creation of a plate when changing the details—required.