Laser Photonics Advances R&D Efforts in Cold Marking for Plastic Medical Device Manufacturing

Laser Photonics, a developer of industrial laser systems for cleaning and other material processing applications, and its subsidiary, Control Micro Systems (CMS), announced an acceleration of their joint Research and Development (R&D) initiative focused on advanced Laser Cold Marking technology tailored specifically for the exacting demands of plastic medical device manufacturing and its critical Unique Device Identification (UDI) mandates.

While industrial laser marking is common, medical devices face stringent UDI and traceability mandates from the FDA. In the rare event of malfunction, instant origin tracing is crucial for understanding and prevention.

This solution is powered by ultrafast picosecond and femtosecond lasers. CMS systems using this technology ensure that markings on medical device surfaces withstand rigorous cleaning and daily use. The ultra-short pulses virtually eliminate HAZ, crucial for clean micro-features in cut or drilled devices made from materials like HDPE, Delrin, nylon, and Teflon (PTFE).

Integrating machine vision and automation further minimizes manufacturing errors and enhances quality control. Machine vision verifies parts, aligns marking, and checks the final mark and data. Automated systems with robots and conveyors eliminate human error and accelerate production.

CMS Laser’s on-the-fly processing enables rapid, precise marking of continuously fed plastic parts. Controlled by proprietary software, these systems integrate picosecond fiber lasers for micromachining, rotary units, and encoder feedback for velocity tracking, potentially increasing medical product line throughput by up to 550%.