on packaging
Making your markCO2 lasers are widely used by the packaging industry for perforating, scribing, marking, engraving and kiss cutting, and by the security printing sector for anticounterfeiting purposes.

Packaging applications: Ventilation holes are made in plastic film for fresh produce, lines are scribed to make “easy tear” openings in plastic pouches, information ismarked on cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and painted metal cans, and adhesive backed layers are cut to produce labels.
Security applications: Travel and identification documents are perforated with easily recognisable characters that are impossible to imitate.

Luxinar laser sources can be usedthroughout the flexo printing process

CO2 laser-based machine tools are well established across manyindustries and have become the tool of choice for both narrow
and wide web applications. Laser processing provides flexibility,with extremely accurate control of cut depth, high repeatability
and consistency, but without the need to change tools, unlike
the mechanical alternatives.
All Luxinar’s CO2 laser sources, coupled with a galvo-based system, acutting head or a combination of both, allow companies to design
modular machines to process a range of glass, cardboard, plastics andpaper using the appropriate wavelength.

Case study:

laser perforating plastic film

With volumes of waste around the world increasing year on year, keeping food fresher for longer is a key priority
for many food manufacturers. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP technology uses laser-perforated holes toregulate the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other gases inside the pack, maintaining the freshness
and extending the shelf life of the fruit and vegetables inside. In turn, that gives consumers more time to enjoy
fresh food, ultimately reducing wastage.
Luxinar’s SR series of CO2 lasers, IP66-rated to ensure a high level of protection against water and dust ingress,
are the most suitable for this application. They can be used to perforate holes at regular intervals across thepackaging film in accordance with the respiration rate of the produce inside. These hermetically sealed CO2 lasers
are integrated in packaging machinery, where hole size can be monitored continuously and adjusted on the fly, sothe film can be perforated accurately and reliably. In this way, the colour, taste and nutrient content in food ispreserved, mould growth is inhibited and the shelf life is increased in a controlled and predictable manner.

Keeping vegetables fresher for longer with laser perforating

easy-tear laser scribing
Our CO2 lasers can be used to create easy opening pouches
and sachets for various food products. The laser is used to
selectively weaken the packaging material, enabling it totear easily along the scribed line. As the laser does not cut
through the packaging film, the pouch remains airtight until
opened by the consumer.
The MULTISCAN HE and MULTISCAN VS are available inthree wavelengths, to suit different packaging films. Theprocess is fast and highly flexible; the same laser could be
used to scribe, mark and perforate the packaging asrequired. The non-contact nature of the process means
there is no downtime due to tool wear or breakage.

Laser scribing of easy-tear openings in plastic pouches

Photo courtesy of BBK

Case study:

Case study:

laser marking a range of packaging
The laser marking process is quick, clean, and reliable. Marks are indelible and tamper-proof, and consumable costs are
effectively non-existent once the laser coder is installed. This makes laser coding an attractive alternative to traditional
ink-based technologies.
Solutions for high-speed marking and coding
Food labelling legislation is becoming more stringent and there is pressure on the industry to mark lot numbers, batch
codes and “best before” dates on products. This information must be applied to every item, usually on the production
line on the fly, and the information must be constantly updated. Lasers are now a popular choice for food packaging
companies for a number of reasons, including the diversity of the materials they can mark, and the longevity of theinscription compared to the alternative inkjet printing method.
Reliable marking in harsh environments
Beverage marking systems must be able to operate in hostile environments, and to withstand regular washing inorder to comply with hygiene legislation. Luxinar’s MULTISCAN HE is currently the only high-speed CO2 laser marking
system able to meet the demands of the world’s fastest labelling lines. This highly versatile laser can markalphanumeric text, QR and Data Matrix codes, and complex graphics onto a variety of surfaces, including paperlabels, plastic bottles, painted metal cans and hot glass bottles.

Laser marking packages is quick, clean and reliableCase study:

kiss cutting labels by laser
In the packaging and label markets, mechanical (or die) cutting is well suited for high volume, standard products. However,the packaging market is highly innovative as manufacturers strive to reduce plastic waste, use biodegradable materials orchange aesthetics and brand identity. This trend in innovation means that packaging labels can change in shape and sizeat any time, and new materials are introduced frequently. All of this means that the packaging industry needs flexible
tools, and the laser provides this flexibility.
Labels are made up of different materials such as paper, plastics or a combination of both. Each material absorbs light ina different way. In a market where paper labels are the dominant products, 10.6µm lasers will be preferred over otherwavelengths. A 10.6µm wavelength laser will also offer 10% more power than a 10.25µm wavelength laser. On the otherhand, if the labels are mainly made of a combination of plastics (PP, PET, etc.), a 10.25µm wavelength may be preferred.
Some OEMs will favour the 10.25µm wavelength in order to offer greater cutting flexibility to their customers.
Another key factor is the stability of the laser. Label stocks are generally made up of 3 layers: the carrier or base material,
the bonding agent and the “sticker” itself. To produce a label, manufacturers use a kiss cutting process; the laser has to
cut the sticker and the bonding agent without damaging the carrier material.
For a given label shape the laser parameters are adjusted according to the type and thickness of the material being cut.
Having a stable laser throughout the power range allows a producer to control the depth of cutting and therefore thequality of the label.

A stable CO2 laser provides flexibility of cutting depthCase study:

laser perforating passport pages
Luxinar’s SR series and SCX 35 sealed CO2 laser sources provide a unique anti-counterfeiting solution for traveland identification documents such as passports, national identity cards, visas, residence permits and driving
licences.
Passport fraud is highly detrimental to a country’s national security, and numerous measures are taken toprevent forgery. A laser is used to perforate the unique passport number through all of the pages, including
the cover if desired. The drilled holes are conical, so that the hole size varies according to the page number –the holes in the first page are bigger than those in the last. It is possible to detect if pages have been removed,in order to hide a border entry/exit stamp for example, and pages cannot be transferred from one passport toanother. While the majority of the perforated holes are round, they often include some other geometricshapes such as squares, triangles or stars. These characteristic perforations can only be produced using alaser, and thus the effect is difficult for a forger to reproduce.
Smaller perforations can be used to form graphics and greyscale images. This technique is most commonlyused for ID cards and driving licences, where a laser-perforated “ghost” image may accompany a printed
photograph of the cardholder. Laser perforations can also be applied to banknotes; in this case the laser
solution is adapted to perforate information into the notes in sheet form, during the printing process.

CO2 lasers perforate a variety of character types and sizes on passport pages

SR series – 80-250W sealed CO2 laser sources
A watertight laser technology
Our SR series CO2 laser sources, SR 08s, SR 10i,
SR 15i and SR 25i, are all IP66 rated to ensure ahigh level of protection against water and dust
ingress. This, together with the reliability that ourcustomers have come to expect from Luxinar,
guarantees a watertight laser technology.

• IP66 rating• Wavelengths 10.6µm, 10.25µm, 9.3µm• Integrated and field replaceable RF power supplies• Compact, lightweight laser sources• Simple diagnostics• Minimum shipment power 20% higher than rated power

The compact mechanical design of the units allow easy integration into laser-based processing machines used for cutting, marking, perforating and drilling, among others. Throughput,economy, flexibility and reliability are the main features associated with the SR series of CO2 laser sources.

MULTISCAN HE –125W CO₂ laser marking system
Laser coding in harsh environments
The MULTISCAN HE has been specifically developed for use in harsh environments whereliquids or dust may be present. Its IP66 rating means that it can even work on productionlines which must be regularly washed down in order to comply with strict hygiene
regulations.

• IP66 rating to withstand harsh environments (humidity,dust, water)• 1.6m articulated arm for ease of siting• Remote keyboard and display• Static or on the fly marking• Alphanumeric text, Data Matrix codes and graphics canbe marked• Flexible software allows intelligent data to be placed
anywhere within the specific scan area
• Various scan head and focusing lens combinations
availableMULTISCAN VS –125W CO₂ laser marking system
A compact, mobile solution• Up to 1200 characters per second• Fully integrated and self-contained unit
• Compact and mobile, with small footprint• 1.2m articulated arm

The MULTISCAN VS provides a compact, mobile solution to laser coding.
Designed as a fully integrated system, it incorporates the laser, beamdelivery, cooling and control systems into a single compact unit. Its small
footprint and articulated arm make for easy integration into existingproduction lines.

SCX 35 – 350W sealed CO2 laser source
Power range of 20-350W• IP56 rating• Wavelength 10.6µm• Separate RF power supply for flexible integration• Minimum shipment power 20% higher than rated power

The SCX 35 laser source, with an output power of up to 350W, is designed
for integration into industrial processing systems and is often used for
cutting applications such as plastics and wood. It includes a separate RFpower supply which enables the laser to produce short optical pulses withhigh peak power or quasi-CW output. Due to its lightweight and robust
design, this CO2 laser is ideal for robotic applications and can be integrated
exceptionally well into systems with scanners or other beam guidancecomponents.

OEM series – 450-1000W sealed CO2 laser sources
Power outputs up to 1000W• Most lasers are available in wavelengths 10.6µm, 10.25µm, 9.3µm• A high quality, round, symmetrical beam for high-speed processing applications• Short optical pulse for improved edge quality and minimal HAZ• Minimum shipment power 20% higher than rated power

The OEM series of CO2 lasers represents a compact solution that can be easily integrated into industrial processing production lines. The RF power supply enables the laser to produce short optical pulses
with high peak power or quasi-CW output. There is also the option for an absorbing thin film reflector (ATFR) to prevent back reflection issues.
The OEM series lasers use a single resonator design, producing laser light with a linear polarisation. With a beam quality of K > 0.8, power and precision are defining characteristics of these lasers. Sincemany equipment manufacturers purchase this range to integrate into their equipment, these OEM iX laser sources are available without the laser housing, if desired.

Applications laboratories
Could a CO2 laser be used to enhance your packaging production process? We can help you to find out by testing samples of your product. Our applications lab
facilities are open to both new and existing customers and OEMs. Our laboratories are well equipped to carry out a range of processes, including marking and cutting.
We offer rapid sample turnaround times, detailed application reports, and complimentary advice from our experienced applications engineers.
We carry out application tests using your actual product samples. Guided by your objectives, we will try to replicate the conditions of your application as closely as
possible in the lab.
Upon completion, you will receive a detailed report outlining our findings, along with some laser-processed samples for your evaluation. Most application tests canbe completed within 10 working days.
Whatever your process, we can help you to find the best laser for your application.

Contact us on https://www.luxinar.com/contact/ or info@luxinar.com© 2020 Luxinar Ltd 903-0268-00 Rev 1