High Performance,
High Yield Marking& Coding Systems
Realizing high return on investment for laser marking systems requires reliable
laser performance. Synrad high performance CO2 lasers have demonstrated
reliability in marking and coding applications for more than 20 years, consistently
delivering more value than the lower price alternatives.

Modern Marking & Coding Equipment Uses CO2 Lasers
Utilizing CO2 lasers to mark logos and product codes is not a novel concept. The benefits andreturns on investment of laser marking systems are well known, and as a result, laser technology
has developed to increase the throughput, yield, and versatility of these industrial machines. For
more than 20 years now, Synrad high performance CO2 lasers have set the global standard for
performance and reliability of modern marking and coding systems.
• Permanent Marks & Codes – Laser marking
systems use vaporization, chemical changes,and/or melting processes to achieve permanentmarks and codes. These processes directly
impact the surface of the target material,
creating marks that cannot be rubbed off orsmeared. Synrad high performance CO2 lasers
create permanent marks with precise controland reliability for accurate, repeatable, andconsistent results. This permanency andconsistency is vital to products and industries
were traceability is paramount to operation
quality and control.
• Uninterrupted Production Lines – Laser
marking and coding systems require little to no
maintenance, significantly improving factory
productivity with minimal machine downtimes.
Traditional ink jet machine downtimes attributed
to clogged nozzles, ink refills, and other routine
cleaning are eliminated.
• Digital Precision and Control – Synrad CO2
lasers are designed to emit high quality laser
beams that produce small, high power density
spots for highly detailed, consistent marks andcodes. Having both precise and flexible controlof the spot size and power enable a wide range of permanent marking and coding applications.
Unique application examples include marking alpha-numeric codes on contact lenses, and marking
live beetles with numerical tracking codes.

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High Performance, High Yield Marking & Coding Systems2• Curved Surfaces – When combined with
3-axis scan heads such as the Cambridge
ProSeries2, graphic designs, codes, and text canbe applied permanently to concave or convex
curved surfaces. This is especially useful whenmarking consumer products such as glass beerbottles, painted metal mugs, or wood wine
barrels.
• Ease of Integration – Due to the relatively
small size and multiple orientation capabilities,
integration into assembly and processing
lines is straight forward. As with all industrial
equipment, safety precautions need to betaken to ensure safe operation. With the proper
training and safety measures, lasers are nomore of a safety risk than traditional mechanicalequipment.
• Ease of Use – Modern laser processing systems
are digital and easy to operate, requiring minimal
onboarding and training. Most systems do not
require formal certification for operation. Laser
settings associated with specific materials anddesign files can be stored as a baseline for future
projects.
• Flexibility – Because CO2 laser processing
systems are digitally controlled, a single system
can produce graphics, text, numbers, dates,barcodes, UPCs, QR codes, and patterns. The
development of CO2 lasers with optimized wavelengths (9.3 µm and 10.2 µm) and the expansion
into higher laser power levels further extend the list of materials that can be marked or coded.
The development of compact galvanometer-based beam delivery systems have also extended theversatility of CO2 laser processing systems, enabling wider area coverage for marking and coding.
•Total Cost of Ownership –Synrad high performance CO2 laser processing systems are a capital
investment which requires rigorous cost/benefit analysis. When conducting the analysis consider
not just the cost of any consumables that would be eliminated, but also consider the time savings
associated with routine maintenance, change-overs, and cost of replacement parts for traditional
equipment over the course of the expected lifetime of a laser processing system. Increases in
productivity should play a large part in the cost/benefit analysis. Further, the increased capabilities
that a marking system with Synrad high performance CO2 lasers delivers expands application
capabilities, generating more business opportunities and fulfilling the demands of changing
requirements.

Keeping Pace With Industry Changes
Marking and coding requirements on packaging and products can change quickly, and variations
between industries are becoming increasingly complex. Modern laser marking and coding
systems are software driven, making them very adaptable to changing requirements andprocesses.

©2021 Novanta Corporation. All rights reserved.

High Performance, High Yield Marking & Coding Systems

3• Regulatory Changes – Marking and coding requirements are constantly developing andchanging to accommodate traceability, expiration, recyclability, counterfeiting, and batch control.
Marking and coding systems with Synrad high performance CO2 lasers are extraordinarily well
suited when it comes to accommodating change. Since the laser marking and coding systems aresoftware driven, the vast majority of marking changes can be accomplished through the softwareinterface, and will not require costly hardware changes. This remains true even if the change
involves the addition of graphic based codes or marks to previous text/numeric only codes.
• Traceability – In addition to the marking and coding capabilities required for compliance with
consumer or medical regulations, laser marking systems support traceability used to improve
production processes and product quality. Inventory management systems that utilize scanningsystems require precise, readable codes and marks. This is easily accomplished with laser marking
systems that utilize Synrad high performance CO2 lasers. Since laser marks and codes arepermanent, they are reliable as a traceability source and are a critical component of enhanced
quality control in modern, connected factories.
• New Materials – Expanding business to reach new markets often requires repackaging
to accommodate regional preferences. Emerging packaging requirements have led to thedevelopment of new packaging materials, often requiring a combination of different materials toachieve optimum packaging performance. Marking and coding systems designed with Synrad
high performance CO2 lasers make permanent marks on a wide variety of organic based materials,
including plastics, paperboard, printed foils, glass, and wood. This versatility makes Synrad highperformance CO2 lasers an attractive choice for an expanding business.
• Upgrading – As businesses expand, so too will
their marking and coding needs. One majoradvantage of Synrad high performance CO2
lasers is that the laser can be upgraded whileother components in the system remain thesame, or need only slight modification. Upgrades areavailable to enable faster throughput, more detail,or larger coverage area, and are typicallyaccomplished with different models within thesame brand.

Not All CO2 Lasers Are The Same
Since their introduction into the industrial marketplace over 30 years ago, sealed carbon dioxide(CO2) gas lasers have established themselves as standard equipment for marking and coding.
Several types of sealed CO2 lasers are available, and it is important to understand the key
specifications and potential trade-offs.
• High Performance vs. Low Price – Not all CO2 lasers are created equal, and price is often
strongly correlated with the laser’s performance and construction quality. Synrad highperformance CO2 lasers are built to withstand the rigors of real-world industrial environments
and to perform consistently well from cold start-up through to normal operating temperature.
The unique Synrad laser design protects against harsh conditions, ensuring that all the lasers
exceed specifications after delivery, and even in excessive ambient temperatures. Synrad lasers areengineered to prevent optics contamination, gas leakage, as well as unstable output power during
operation. These preventative features are critical to reliable operation of the laser, but are also
costly to incorporate. Lower price lasers may initially appear to be attractive alternatives to Synrad
high performance lasers, however rigorous testing prior to purchase is recommended to ensure allapplication and reliability parameters are met.
©2021 Novanta Corporation. All rights reserved.

High Performance, High Yield Marking & Coding Systems

4• Power – For marking and coding applications,laser power is one of the key attributes that
determines consistency in marks, codes, andthroughput speed. Unlike glass tube lasers,
Synrad’s vi- and ti-Series lasers provide
outstanding power output and a small size
profile, both of which are critical for modern
factory floors. Maintaining adequate laser poweris critical to realize returns on high-speed
production lines; under powered lasers will not
be able to maintain marking and coding speeds,
resulting in productivity losses. Synrad highperformance CO2 lasers offer a wide range ofpower options so users can choose the correct
option for their specific application. Further, as
output needs increase and marking and coding
systems must accommodate higher line speeds,
the breadth of available Synrad lasers enables
straightforward upgrade paths with minimal
refitting costs.
• Power Stability – The consistency of a CO2
laser’s output power is critical to achieving highyield in marking and coding systems. Synrad
high performance CO2 lasers have outstanding
power stability from cold start, enabling reliable,consistent marks, and minimizing potential
material or product waste. Many other CO2
lasers currently available in the marketplacerequire a 5 – 10 minute warm up to achieveequivalent power stability. When used on highspeed production lines, unstable lasers canresult in significant amount of material or
product waste at start up, lowering production
efficiency and increasing operational costs.

Poor power stability can result in inconsistent marking and coding, notethe variations in the date codes above.

• Wavelength – All materials have specificwavelengths of laser energy that absorb bestand achieve the desired processing effect.
This is also true for laser marking and coding.
(PP) coated paperboard marked with a 10.6 µm wavelength
While many low-priced CO2 lasers are available Polypropylene
laser delivers legible results, however there is some inconsistency in themark.
only in the standard 10.6 µm wavelength,
Synrad high performance CO2 lasers areavailable in multiple wavelength options toaccommodate a wider range of materials.
When laser wavelength is not properly matchedto the material, the resulting marks and codes
The same material marked with a 10.2 µm wavelength laser delivers clean,consistent marks.
may be unreadable due to over-melting,inconsistent due to lack of absorption, or damaged and burned-through due to excessiveabsorption. Selecting the correct wavelength for the target material is critical to ensure optimal
marking and coding.

©2021 Novanta Corporation. All rights reserved.

High Performance, High Yield Marking & Coding Systems

5Mode Burns – laser output beams are tested using 11 mm thick pieces of• Beam Quality – Synrad high performanceacrylic, the resulting shape of the burn through holes provides a shapeprofile of the laser beam.
CO2 lasers produce a near perfect beam thatcan be focused to a very small spot size,
increasing power density for higher speed
processing, or enabling greater detail. Lowpriced CO2 lasers often have poor beam quality
when compared to Synrad high performance
CO2 lasers. Poor beam quality results in poor
legibility in alpha numeric codes and barcodes,
UPC and QR codes that appear out-of-focus,
Poor Mode Burn - note the irregularGood Mode Burn – clean circularpattern with minimal melting roundand excessive melting around the mark or code. shapes, side lobes, and excessive
melting around the edges.
the edge.
As product marking and coding requirements
become more stringent, the need for clean, readable marks and codes becomes critical to avoid
excessive production waste and potential recalls.

• Reliability – The reliability of a CO2 laser processing system is based on performance over time.
Each of the items listed above – power, wavelength, beam quality, and power stability are key
elements that determine a CO2 laser’s reliability. Synrad high performance CO2 lasers use patented
designs, quality components, proven manufacturing processes, and rigorous quality validation
testing to ensure reliable operation of our lasers. As evidence to Synrad’s commitment to quality,
the manufacturing facility in Mukilteo, WA USA maintains an ISO 9001:2015 certification. Incontrast, low-priced CO2 lasers are well known for having variations in power, lower beam quality,and poor power stability, each of which can have a significant impact on reliability.
• Application Testing - Novanta offers CO2 laser application testing to Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEM), laser system integrators, material manufacturers, processors, and end usersof automated machinery. The Synrad scientists and engineers are globally known as the CO2 laser
experts, and understand the parameters that ensure successful, efficient CO2 laser processing.
Using the latest Synrad high performance Synrad CO2 lasers, Synrad applications engineers will
determine the optimal laser power, wavelength, and processing best-practices to achieve thedesired results. Based on specific user requirements, and using actual materials and/or parts,
Synrad application engineers conduct tests using multiple laser configurations and settings todetermine the best match. In addition, Synrad has the research and development capabilities
to investigate new laser techniques, test new materials for laser processing, and solve laser
processing challenges.

Interested in speaking to one of our knowledgeable
representatives?
Americas & Asia PacificNovanta Headquarters
Bedford, USA
P +1-781-266-5700
Photonics@Novanta.com

Europe, Middle East,
AfricaNovanta Europe GmbH
Wackersdorf, Germany
P +49-9431-7984-0
Milan, Italy
P +39-039-793-710

China

Japan

Novanta Sales & Service Center Novanta Service & Sales OfficeShenzhen, China
Tokyo, Japan
P +86-755-8280-538
P +81-3-5753-2460
Suzhou, China
P +86-512-6283-7080
Photonics.China@Novanta.com

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Photonics.Japan@Novanta.
com