The need for component traceability is a very sensitive topic in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical and medical machinery field. In these markets, the parts assembled on the machines are defined as critical since a defect in any part of the piece can cause serious risks to the health of the end user of the product.
Market critical issues
For years, machine manufacturers were in the need of tracing each component with a mark in order to recover the origin information of the parts. Today this marking activity is often carried out by hand by an operator on a proper station with a very repetitive and alienating operational sequence.
The solution provided by Brentech
To respond to this need to automate this phase, Brentech has developed an automatic laser stamping unit equipped with a buffer. Starting from the development of its own robotic store for machine tool maintenance, the Vicenza mechanical design company has accomplished a system capable of recognizing the pieces and carrying out the marking, limiting the operator’s work to just loading the buffer. The marking system used is a Keyence three-axis hybrid laser marker which, thanks to the integrated camera, inspects the trolleys and, once recognised, marks them at the established point.
Advantages of Brentech Automatic Laser Stamping unit
By this type of automation developed by Brentech, the software, which has been extensively tested, is easy to use, significantly limiting the possibility of error from the operator side. Once the first programming of the piece has been carried out correctly, the position and coding are managed by the machine. Particular attention has been paid to the safety of the system: the perimeter protections have been designed to contain emissions and the access doors are protected by safety sensors and windows certified for the use of laser marking in compliance with the EN ISO 11553 -1 standard.
The system can also be integrated into company management systems and can take advantage of the benefits linked to Industry 4.0 requirements.
