EP0419377B2 - Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0419377B2
EP0419377B2 EP90420405A EP90420405A EP0419377B2 EP 0419377 B2 EP0419377 B2 EP 0419377B2 EP 90420405 A EP90420405 A EP 90420405A EP 90420405 A EP90420405 A EP 90420405A EP 0419377 B2 EP0419377 B2 EP 0419377B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
paint
marking
laser beam
coat
laser
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90420405A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0419377B1 (en
EP0419377A1 (en
Inventor
Jean Izoard
Louis-Claude Popon
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BLANCOMME
Schneider Electric SE
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BLANCOMME
Schneider Electric SE
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Priority claimed from FR8912557A external-priority patent/FR2652480B1/en
Priority claimed from FR8915853A external-priority patent/FR2654982B1/en
Application filed by BLANCOMME, Schneider Electric SE filed Critical BLANCOMME
Publication of EP0419377A1 publication Critical patent/EP0419377A1/en
Publication of EP0419377B1 publication Critical patent/EP0419377B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
    • B41M5/267—Marking of plastic artifacts, e.g. with laser

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of marking an insulating support by laser beam. arranged on a molded plastic casing of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible production line thanks to a PLC controlled by a system computer, the support or the marking area of the support being coated in a first workstation with at least one layer of paint, having binders and pigments, the layer of paint being dried when passing through a drying tunnel arranged after the first work station, and the marking of variable inscriptions according to the series produced then being carried out at the end of the production line in a second work station by the action of the laser beam causing deterioration of the binder, or etching of the painting which visualizes said marking.
  • the fitting of labels or the usual markings by pad printing, screen printing or offset process are ill-suited to these flexible manufacturing lines and involve time production stop at each end of series.
  • the marking equipment can then be integrated or form a link in a manufacturing or assembly chain.
  • the laser beam acts as a energy source applied punctually which causes a surface modification of the irradiated material, showing contrast with adjacent areas not affected by the beam.
  • Laser marking can be done using a mask with the inscriptions corresponding, this mask must be modified at each change of series or by guidance of the laser beam, which rewrites under the control of a computer system such as the computer, the text on each piece.
  • the latter registration system is significantly more flexible since it allows a change of registrations almost instantly, but the marking rate is significantly lower.
  • the second layer of paint is not laser reactive, and the inscription by beam laser is not controlled by the automation of the assembly line.
  • the label of a contactor is produced by marking with laser beam, which causes an attack on the plastic, and deterioration of the face of the case.
  • the marking is controlled by a detector with contacts integrated in the contactor.
  • the object of the present invention is to allow registration by laser beam. directly on a part manufactured on a flexible production line, and to improve the quality of the registration without degrading the room.
  • Placing one or more layers of paint or ink overcomes the characteristics of the support including its color and its reaction to the laser beam.
  • the reaction caused by the laser beam may be a chemical reaction of color change or vaporization of the painting or a physical reaction causing sufficient contrast.
  • the choice of colors and contrast can be increased by applying over the paint layer sensitive to the laser beam, a second coat of paint with normal characteristics.
  • pigments in the paint layer ensures the capture of the rays laser and their action on paint or on certain paint components to obtain sufficient contrast to the marking.
  • Different pigments can be used, in particular mineral pigments such as metal oxides which have a high stability grade temperature.
  • the pigmented layer is relatively thick, for example greater than 15 microns to form a screen preventing rays from reaching the support or if they manage to be mitigated enough to be incapable of a deterioration of the support.
  • the paint is with organic pigments the percentage of pigmentation by weight is of course significantly lower, for example a few percent and these pigments are broken down by the action of the laser beam. Pigments of course ensure their usual protective and coloring function.
  • a production or assembly line schematically represented by a product transporter 10 for products 12 includes a marking zone at the end of the chain consisting of four successive items 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • Products 12 are devices molded plastic insulator boxes such as range devices commercially known as Multi 9. The front of these devices carries inscriptions representative of the characteristics of the device manufactured or mounted on the chain 10.
  • the first station 1 on which the products 12 end is an application station for a layer of paint 14 on the product marking area.
  • This painting can be applied by appropriate means, in particular by projection, by postponement, by transfer to using an intermediate support, by an offset or pad printing process or by any another printing device, in particular by screen printing.
  • the transfer can be made in the injection mold of the plastic case.
  • the mold includes a device for unwinding a ribbon on which one has previously deposited one or two coats of paint.
  • the mold cavities are closed directly on the tape which withstands the injection temperature of the plastic. However, the paint comes into contact with the material that makes it melt and that forms a shell in the area sought.
  • the step-by-step advancement of the ribbon is linked to the closure system of the mold.
  • the paint can also be an ink or a varnish constituting a continuous coating on the marking area.
  • the paint used is a suitable paint reacting to the action of a laser beam so as to appear sufficient contrast for a direct labeling on product 12.
  • Product 12 coated with a layer of paint reactive laser then crosses a drying tunnel schematically represented by station 2 before arriving at a conventional marking station 3.
  • This marking station for example of the type pad printing, allows the affixing of the constant inscriptions it is say inscriptions appearing on all the products manufactured on the chain.
  • Products 12 subsequently arrive at last workstation 4 which is a laser marking station constituted by a source of a laser beam causing on the marking area a entry of variable data, i.e. data specific to each series of 12 products manufactured on the line.
  • the laser beam is advantageously guided by a automatic writing device controlled by the computer control system manufacturing line.
  • the laser beam of the YAG or C02 type strikes the layer 14 of reactive paint causing a superficial reaction of the latter to the point impact 16.
  • the movement of the laser beam registers variable data.
  • the registration speed is fast enough to follow the production rate of the line 10 and the control of the laser beam by the computer system allows a change instant marking at the end of each production series. It is clear that the constant inscriptions can also be carried by laser marking directly on the product which allows the removal of the marking station 3 by pad printing. For large production rates the marking by guidance of the laser beam can be replaced by a mask marking system which must be changed at each end series.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the layer of reactive paint 14 is coated with an additional layer 18 of standard paint.
  • This coating can be carried out at the same workstation 1 or on an additional workstation (not shown) in a manner well known to specialists.
  • the layer 18 paint is advantageously of a color different from that of the reactive paint 14 in order to have a difference in color between the external surface and the background of the engraving produced by the laser beam.
  • the surface layer 18 can be removed by the action of the laser and makes visible the activated part of the layer 14.
  • the surface layer 18 can be charred partially to associate its effect with the activated layer 14, causing a modification of the colour.
  • the choice of reactive paint for laser beam is determined by the appearance aesthetic and visual of the marking sought and by the nature of the support generally in plastic material but may be a different material.
  • the marking area is coated with a paint two-component gray polyurethane, the hardener being an isocyanate, and the percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer is greater than 40% and close to 60%.
  • the pigments are essentially titanium oxide and iron oxide, making appear after the laser marking a black writing on a gray background with a deep engraving which accentuates the contrast.
  • the marking results mainly deterioration of the paint binder caused by absorption and reflection of the laser beam by pigments.
  • the support in this case the material of the molded case or product 12, is not affected by marking, because the pigmentation is sufficient to constitute a protective screen, totally or largely retaining the laser beam.
  • the presence of pigments prevents total removal of the binder.
  • the adhesion of the paint or the characteristics of the support are not altered by the marking, which is durable.
  • Pigments used can be other oxides including chromium oxide and be suitable for coloring desired, but the degree of pigmentation as well as the thickness of the paint layer must be sufficient.
  • the paint comprises organic pigments and under the action of the laser beam these pigments and the binder are broken down and eliminated to obtain the desired contrast. The thickness of the layer and the percentage of pigmentation are then weaker.
  • the support can be any material, in particular metal, plastic, paper, glass, the appropriate color, the choice of paint depending possibly the type of support. Likewise the method of applying the paint and its hardening have no influence on the marking which only affects the paint layer.

Description

L'invention est relative à un procédé de marquage par faisceau laser d'un support isolant agencé sur un boítier moulé en matière plastique d'un appareillage électrique, lequel est assemblé sur une chaíne de fabrication flexible grâce à un automate piloté par un système informatique, le support ou la zone de marquage du support étant revêtu dans un premier poste de travail d'au moins une couche de peinture, ayant des liants et des pigments, la couche de peinture étant séchée lors du passage dans un tunnel de séchage disposé après le premier poste de travail , et le marquage d'inscriptions variables selon la série fabriquée étant ensuite réalisé en bout de chaíne de fabrication dans un deuxième poste de travail par l'action du faisceau laser engendrant une détérioration du liant, ou une gravure de la peinture qui visualise ledit marquage.The invention relates to a method of marking an insulating support by laser beam. arranged on a molded plastic casing of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible production line thanks to a PLC controlled by a system computer, the support or the marking area of the support being coated in a first workstation with at least one layer of paint, having binders and pigments, the layer of paint being dried when passing through a drying tunnel arranged after the first work station, and the marking of variable inscriptions according to the series produced then being carried out at the end of the production line in a second work station by the action of the laser beam causing deterioration of the binder, or etching of the painting which visualizes said marking.

L'automatisation des chaínes de fabrication et de montage d'appareils électriques et plus particulièrement la nécessité de pouvoir changer fréquemment le type d'appareils réalisés sur la chaíne, implique une flexibilité du marquage pour adapter ce marquage au type de produits. La pose d'étiquette ou les marquages usuels par tampographie, sérigraphie ou procédé offset sont mal adaptés à ces lignes de fabrication flexible et impliquent des temps d'arrêt de la fabrication à chaque fin de série.Automation of manufacturing and assembly lines of electrical devices and more particularly the need to be able to change the type of devices frequently on the chain, implies flexibility of marking to adapt this marking to the type of products. The fitting of labels or the usual markings by pad printing, screen printing or offset process are ill-suited to these flexible manufacturing lines and involve time production stop at each end of series.

Il a déjà été proposé de porter des inscriptions directement sur les produits par une gravure au faisceau laser, l'équipement de marquage pouvant alors être intégré ou former un maillon d'une chaíne de fabrication ou de montage. Le faisceau laser agit comme une source d'énergie appliquée ponctuellement qui provoque une modification superficielle du matériau irradié, faisant apparaítre un contraste avec les zones adjacentes non frappées par le faisceau. Le marquage laser peut être fait à l'aide d'un masque portant les inscriptions correspondantes, ce masque devant être modifié à chaque changement de série ou par guidage du faisceau laser, lequel réécrit sous le contrôle d'un système informatique tel que l'ordinateur, le texte sur chaque pièce. Ce dernier système d'inscription est nettement plus souple puisqu'il permet un changement des inscriptions quasi instantanément, mais la cadence de marquage est nettement inférieure. Les procédés connus de marquage laser intégré à une chaíne flexible d'appareillage électrique, n'ont pas permis d'obtenir des inscriptions d'une qualité suffisante capable de remplacer les étiquettes ou les impressions par tampographie des pièces. Dans le dispositif du document EP-A-215.389, deux couches superposées de peinture sont appliquées dans un poste de travail d'une ligne de montage flexible. Une machine de marquage au laser brûle la première couche superficielle pour faire apparaítre la deuxième couche de peinture inférieure, et réaliser ainsi l'inscription. It has already been proposed to carry inscriptions directly on the products by a laser engraving, the marking equipment can then be integrated or form a link in a manufacturing or assembly chain. The laser beam acts as a energy source applied punctually which causes a surface modification of the irradiated material, showing contrast with adjacent areas not affected by the beam. Laser marking can be done using a mask with the inscriptions corresponding, this mask must be modified at each change of series or by guidance of the laser beam, which rewrites under the control of a computer system such as the computer, the text on each piece. The latter registration system is significantly more flexible since it allows a change of registrations almost instantly, but the marking rate is significantly lower. Known laser marking methods integrated into a flexible chain of electrical equipment, did not allow obtaining inscriptions of sufficient quality capable of replacing labels or prints by pad printing of the parts. In the device of document EP-A-215,389, two layers superimposed paint are applied in a work station of an assembly line flexible. A laser marking machine burns the first surface layer to make appear the second lower layer of paint, and thus carry out the inscription.

La deuxième couche de peinture n'est pas réactive au laser, et l'inscription par faisceau laser n'est pas pilotée par l'automate de la ligne de montage.The second layer of paint is not laser reactive, and the inscription by beam laser is not controlled by the automation of the assembly line.

Selon le document EP-171.219, l'étiquette d'un contacteur est réalisée par un marquage au faisceau laser, lequel provoque une attaque de la matière plastique, et une détérioration de la face du boítier. Le marquage est piloté par un détecteur à contacts intégrés dans le contacteur.According to document EP-171.219, the label of a contactor is produced by marking with laser beam, which causes an attack on the plastic, and deterioration of the face of the case. The marking is controlled by a detector with contacts integrated in the contactor.

Dans le document US-A-4.307.047, l'action d'un faisceau laser provoque un changement de couleur sur des charges intégrées dans la matière plastique.In the document US-A-4,307,047, the action of a laser beam causes a change of color on charges integrated into the plastic.

Le besoin s'est fait sentir de disposer d'un procédé de marquage laser universel, applicable aux différents types de support et fournissant une bonne qualité d'inscription.The need was felt to have a universal laser marking process, applicable to different types of support and providing good quality of registration.

La présente invention a pour but de permettre une inscription par faisceau laser directement sur une pièce fabriquée sur une chaíne de fabrication flexible, et d'améliorer la qualité de l'inscription sans dégradation de la pièce.The object of the present invention is to allow registration by laser beam. directly on a part manufactured on a flexible production line, and to improve the quality of the registration without degrading the room.

Le procédé de marquage selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que :

  • ladite couche de peinture est réactive au laser grâce à un pourcentage de pigmentation suffisante pour absorber et réfléchir le faisceau laser, ladite couche étant étalée sur une zone de marquage du support isolant en présentant une épaisseur prédéterminée,
  • et le déplacement du faisceau laser vers les points à graver est piloté par ledit système informatique de l'automate pour réaliser une inscription spécifique correspondant au type de produit, le marquage résultant d'une détérioration du liant de la peinture engendrée par l'absorption et la réflexion du faisceau laser par les pigments, sans altérer le matériau du support.
The marking method according to the invention is characterized in that:
  • said layer of paint is reactive to the laser thanks to a percentage of pigmentation sufficient to absorb and reflect the laser beam, said layer being spread over a marking area of the insulating support having a predetermined thickness,
  • and the displacement of the laser beam towards the points to be engraved is controlled by said computer system of the automaton to carry out a specific inscription corresponding to the type of product, the marking resulting from a deterioration of the binder of the paint caused by absorption and the reflection of the laser beam by the pigments, without altering the support material.

La mise en place sur la pièce ou le support à graver d'une ou plusieurs couches de peinture ou d'encre permet de s'affranchir des caractéristiques du support notamment de sa couleur et de sa réaction au faisceau laser. La réaction provoquée par le faisceau laser peut être une réaction chimique de changement de couleur ou de vaporisation de la peinture ou une réaction physique provoquant un contraste suffisant. Le choix des couleurs et du contraste peut être augmenté en appliquant sur la couche de peinture sensible au rayon laser, une deuxième couche de peinture de caractéristique normale. Placing one or more layers of paint or ink overcomes the characteristics of the support including its color and its reaction to the laser beam. The reaction caused by the laser beam may be a chemical reaction of color change or vaporization of the painting or a physical reaction causing sufficient contrast. The choice of colors and contrast can be increased by applying over the paint layer sensitive to the laser beam, a second coat of paint with normal characteristics.

Il est avantageux d'utiliser un laser YAG, dont la souplesse d'emploi est remarquable et la présence importante de pigments dans la couche de peinture assure le captage des rayons laser et leur action sur la peinture ou sur certains composants de la peinture pour obtenir un contraste suffisant au marquage. Différents pigments sont utilisables, en particulier des pigments minéraux tels que les oxydes de métaux qui ont une grade stabilité à haute température. Dans ce cas la couche pigmentée est relativement épaisse, par exemple supérieure à 15 microns pour constituer un écran empêchant les rayons de parvenir au support ou s'ils y parviennent d'être suffisamment atténués pour être incapables d'une détérioration du support. Si la peinture est à pigments organiques le pourcentage de pigmentation en poids est bien entendu notablement plus faible, par exemple de quelques pour cent et ces pigments sont décomposés par l'action du faisceau laser. Les pigments assurent bien entendu leur fonction usuelle de protection et de coloration.It is advantageous to use a YAG laser, the flexibility of which is remarkable and the significant presence of pigments in the paint layer ensures the capture of the rays laser and their action on paint or on certain paint components to obtain sufficient contrast to the marking. Different pigments can be used, in particular mineral pigments such as metal oxides which have a high stability grade temperature. In this case the pigmented layer is relatively thick, for example greater than 15 microns to form a screen preventing rays from reaching the support or if they manage to be mitigated enough to be incapable of a deterioration of the support. If the paint is with organic pigments the percentage of pigmentation by weight is of course significantly lower, for example a few percent and these pigments are broken down by the action of the laser beam. Pigments of course ensure their usual protective and coloring function.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre d'un mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention donné à tire d'exemple non limitatif et représenté au dessin annexé dans lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en plan d'une extrémité d'une chaíne de fabrication ou de montage d'appareils électriques,
  • la figure 2 est une vue en coupe de la zone de marquage du produit,
  • la figure 3 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 2, illustrant une variant de réalisation.
Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the appended drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of one end of a chain for manufacturing or mounting electrical devices,
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the product marking area,
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, illustrating an alternative embodiment.

Sur la figure 1, une ligne de fabrication ou de montage, schématiquement représentée par un transporteur 10 de produits 12 comporte en bout de chaíne une zone de marquage constituée par quatre postes successifs 1, 2, 3, 4. Les produits 12 sont des appareils électriques à boítier moulé isolant en matière plastique tels que des appareils de la gamme commercialement dénommé Multi 9. La partie frontale de ces appareils porte des inscriptions représentatives des caractéristiques de l'appareil fabriqué ou monté sur la chaíne 10.In FIG. 1, a production or assembly line, schematically represented by a product transporter 10 for products 12 includes a marking zone at the end of the chain consisting of four successive items 1, 2, 3, 4. Products 12 are devices molded plastic insulator boxes such as range devices commercially known as Multi 9. The front of these devices carries inscriptions representative of the characteristics of the device manufactured or mounted on the chain 10.

Le premier poste 1 sur lequel aboutissent les produits 12 est un poste d'application d'une couche de peinture 14 sur la zone de marquage du produit. Cette peinture peut être appliquée par les moyens appropriés, notamment par projection, par report, par transfert à l'aide d'un support intermédiaire, par un procédé offset ou à tampographie ou par tout autre dispositif d'impression notamment par sérigraphie. Ces procédés d'application sont bien connus, notamment pour des encres et il est inutile de les décrire plus en détail.The first station 1 on which the products 12 end is an application station for a layer of paint 14 on the product marking area. This painting can be applied by appropriate means, in particular by projection, by postponement, by transfer to using an intermediate support, by an offset or pad printing process or by any another printing device, in particular by screen printing. These application methods are well known, especially for inks and there is no need to describe them in more detail.

Le transfert peut être effectué dans le moule d'injection du boítier plastique. Le moule comporte un dispositif de déroulement d'un ruban sur lequel on a précédemment déposé une ou deux couches de peinture. Les empreintes du moule sont fermées directement sur le ruban qui résiste à la température d'injection de la matière plastique. Par contre, la peinture vient en contact avec la matière qui la fait fondre et qui forme une carapace dans la zone recherchée. L'avancement pas à pas du ruban est lié au système de fermeture du moule.The transfer can be made in the injection mold of the plastic case. The mold includes a device for unwinding a ribbon on which one has previously deposited one or two coats of paint. The mold cavities are closed directly on the tape which withstands the injection temperature of the plastic. However, the paint comes into contact with the material that makes it melt and that forms a shell in the area sought. The step-by-step advancement of the ribbon is linked to the closure system of the mold.

La peinture peut également être une encre ou un vernis constituant un revêtement continu sur la zone de marquage. La peinture utilisée est une peinture appropriée réagissant à l'action d'un rayon laser de manière à faire apparaítre un contraste suffisant pour une inscription directe sur le produit 12. Le produit 12 revêtu de la couche de peinture réactive au laser traverse par la suite un tunnel de séchage schématiquement représenté par le poste 2 avant d'arriver sur un poste de marquage classique 3. Ce poste de marquage, par exemple du type tampographie, permet l'apposition des inscriptions constantes c'est à dire des inscriptions figurant sur tous les produits fabriqués sur la chaíne. Les produits 12 arrivent par la suite à dernier poste de travail 4 qui est un poste de marquage laser constitué par une source d'un faisceau laser provoquant sur la zone de marquage une inscription des données variables c'est à dire des données propres à chaque série de produits 12 fabriqués sur la ligne. Le faisceau laser est avantageusement guidé par un dispositif d'écriture automatique piloté par le système informatique de commande de la chaíne de fabrication. Le faisceau laser du type YAG ou C02 frappe la couche 14 de peinture réactive en provoquant une réaction superficielle de cette dernière au point d'impact 16. Le déplacement du faisceau laser réalise l'inscription des données variables. La vitesse d'inscription est suffisamment rapide pour suivre la cadence de production de la ligne 10 et le contrôle du faisceau laser par le système informatique permet un changement instantané du marquage en fin de chaque série de production. Il est clair que les inscriptions constantes peuvent également être portées par le marquage laser directement sur le produit ce qui permet la suppression du poste de marquage 3 par tampographie. Pour de grandes cadences de production le marquage par guidage du faisceau laser peut être remplacé par un système de marquage par masque lequel doit être changé à chaque fin de série.The paint can also be an ink or a varnish constituting a continuous coating on the marking area. The paint used is a suitable paint reacting to the action of a laser beam so as to appear sufficient contrast for a direct labeling on product 12. Product 12 coated with a layer of paint reactive laser then crosses a drying tunnel schematically represented by station 2 before arriving at a conventional marking station 3. This marking station, for example of the type pad printing, allows the affixing of the constant inscriptions it is say inscriptions appearing on all the products manufactured on the chain. Products 12 subsequently arrive at last workstation 4 which is a laser marking station constituted by a source of a laser beam causing on the marking area a entry of variable data, i.e. data specific to each series of 12 products manufactured on the line. The laser beam is advantageously guided by a automatic writing device controlled by the computer control system manufacturing line. The laser beam of the YAG or C02 type strikes the layer 14 of reactive paint causing a superficial reaction of the latter to the point impact 16. The movement of the laser beam registers variable data. The registration speed is fast enough to follow the production rate of the line 10 and the control of the laser beam by the computer system allows a change instant marking at the end of each production series. It is clear that the constant inscriptions can also be carried by laser marking directly on the product which allows the removal of the marking station 3 by pad printing. For large production rates the marking by guidance of the laser beam can be replaced by a mask marking system which must be changed at each end series.

La figure 3 illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle la couche de peinture réactive 14 est revêtue d'une couche additionnelle 18 de peinture standard. Ce revêtement additionnel peut être réalisé au même poste de travail 1 ou sur un poste additionnel (non représenté) d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes. La peinture de la couche 18 est avantageusement d'une couleur différente de celle de la peinture réactive 14 afin d'avoir une différence de teinte entre la surface externe et le fond de la gravure réalisée par le faisceau laser. La couche superficielle 18 peut être éliminée par l'action du laser et rend visible la partie activée de la couche 14. La couche superficielle 18 peut être carbonisée partiellement pour associer son effet à la couche activée 14, entraínant une modification de la couleur. Le choix de la peinture réactive pour faisceau laser est déterminé par l'aspect esthétique et visuel du marquage recherché et par la nature du support généralement en matière plastique mais pouvant être ne un matériau différent.FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the layer of reactive paint 14 is coated with an additional layer 18 of standard paint. This coating can be carried out at the same workstation 1 or on an additional workstation (not shown) in a manner well known to specialists. The layer 18 paint is advantageously of a color different from that of the reactive paint 14 in order to have a difference in color between the external surface and the background of the engraving produced by the laser beam. The surface layer 18 can be removed by the action of the laser and makes visible the activated part of the layer 14. The surface layer 18 can be charred partially to associate its effect with the activated layer 14, causing a modification of the colour. The choice of reactive paint for laser beam is determined by the appearance aesthetic and visual of the marking sought and by the nature of the support generally in plastic material but may be a different material.

Dans un exemple de réalisation, la zone de marquage est revêtue d'une peinture polyuréthane de couleur grise à deux composants, le durcisseur étant un isocyanate, et le pourcentage de pigmentation en poids de la couche de peinture est supérieur à 40% et voisin de 60%. Les pigments sont essentiellement l'oxyde de titane et l'oxyde de fer, faisant apparaítre après le marquage laser une écriture noire sur un fond gris avec une gravure en profondeur qui accentue le contraste. Le marquage résulte essentiellement d'une détérioration du liant de la peinture engendrée par l'absorption et la réflexion du faisceau laser par les pigments.In an exemplary embodiment, the marking area is coated with a paint two-component gray polyurethane, the hardener being an isocyanate, and the percentage of pigmentation by weight of the paint layer is greater than 40% and close to 60%. The pigments are essentially titanium oxide and iron oxide, making appear after the laser marking a black writing on a gray background with a deep engraving which accentuates the contrast. The marking results mainly deterioration of the paint binder caused by absorption and reflection of the laser beam by pigments.

Le support, en l'occurrence le matériau du boítier moulé ou produit 12, n'est pas affecté par le marquage, car la pigmentation est suffisante pour constituer un écran de protection, retenant totalement ou en grande partie le faisceau laser. La présence des pigments évite l'enlèvement total du liant. De même l'adhérence de la peinture ou les caractéristiques du support ne sont pas altérées par le marquage, qui est durable. Les pigments utilisés peuvent être d'autres oxydes notamment l'oxyde de chrome et être adaptés à la coloration souhaitée, mais le degré de pigmentation ainsi que l'épaisseur de la couche de peinture doivent être suffisants.The support, in this case the material of the molded case or product 12, is not affected by marking, because the pigmentation is sufficient to constitute a protective screen, totally or largely retaining the laser beam. The presence of pigments prevents total removal of the binder. Likewise the adhesion of the paint or the characteristics of the support are not altered by the marking, which is durable. Pigments used can be other oxides including chromium oxide and be suitable for coloring desired, but the degree of pigmentation as well as the thickness of the paint layer must be sufficient.

Selon un autre exemple de réalisation la peinture comporte des pigments organiques et sous l'action du faisceau laser ces pigments et le liant sont décomposés et éliminés pour obtenir le contraste recherché. L'épaisseur de la couche et le pourcentage de pigmentation sont alors plus faibles.According to another exemplary embodiment, the paint comprises organic pigments and under the action of the laser beam these pigments and the binder are broken down and eliminated to obtain the desired contrast. The thickness of the layer and the percentage of pigmentation are then weaker.

Le support peut être un matériau quelconque, notamment du métal, du plastique, du papier, du verre, dont la couleur est appropriée, le choix de la peinture dépendant éventuellement du type de support. De même le mode d'application de la peinture et son durcissement sont sans influence sur le marquage qui n'affecte que la couche de peinture.The support can be any material, in particular metal, plastic, paper, glass, the appropriate color, the choice of paint depending possibly the type of support. Likewise the method of applying the paint and its hardening have no influence on the marking which only affects the paint layer.

Claims (2)

  1. A marking process by laser beam of an insulating support arranged on a moulded case (12) made of plastic material of an electrical apparatus, which is assembled on a flexible production line (10) by means of an automatic controller controlled by a computer system, the support or support marking zone being coated in a first working station (1) with at least one coat of paint, having binders and pigments, the coat of paint being dried when passing through a drying tunnel (2) located after the first working station (1), and marking of variable inscriptions according to the series manufactured then being achieved at the end of the production line in a second working station (4) by the action of the laser beam generating a deterioration of the binder, or an engraving of the paint which visualises said marking,
    characterized in that:
    said coat of paint is reactive to the laser due to a sufficient percentage of pigmentation to absorb and reflect the laser beam, said coat being spread on a marking zone of the insulating support and presenting a predetermined thickness,
    and the movement of the laser beam to the points to be engraved (16) is controlled by said computer system of the automatic controller to achieve a specific inscription corresponding to the type of product, the marking resulting from a deterioration of the binder of the paint generated by absorption and reflection of the laser beam by the pigments, without damaging the support material.
  2. The marking process according to claim 1, characterized in that the coat (14) of paint reactive to the laser is coated with an external coat (18) of paint able to be vaporised by the laser beam.
EP90420405A 1989-09-22 1990-09-17 Procedure apparatus and paint for the laser marking of castings for electrical apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP0419377B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8912557 1989-09-22
FR8912557A FR2652480B1 (en) 1989-09-22 1989-09-22 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LASER MARKING OF MOLDED CASES OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
FR8915853 1989-11-29
FR8915853A FR2654982B1 (en) 1989-11-29 1989-11-29 LASER MARKING PROCESS AND PAINT.

Publications (3)

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EP0419377A1 EP0419377A1 (en) 1991-03-27
EP0419377B1 EP0419377B1 (en) 1996-03-06
EP0419377B2 true EP0419377B2 (en) 2001-04-18

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ES (1) ES2086389T3 (en)

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DE69025686D1 (en) 1996-04-11
EP0419377B1 (en) 1996-03-06
ES2086389T3 (en) 1996-07-01
DE69025686T2 (en) 1996-09-26
EP0419377A1 (en) 1991-03-27

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