Packaging
Laser processing of packaging materials
Monday 28. April 2008 - Precise and efficient: JENOPTIK-VOTAN P at interpack 2008
As a modern and flexible tool for processing materials, the laser has experienced a tremendous surge in growth in recent years. Always sharp, finely focusable and never sluggish, lasers are used in a broad range of applications including the processing of metal, glass, ceramics and plastics. Moreover, laser technology is also making it possible to achieve previously unimaginable product characteristics in the packaging sector. JENOPTIK Automatisierungstechnik GmbH will demonstrate impressive proof of this at interpack 2008 from April 24-30 in Düsseldorf. In Hall 8a (Stand D20) the Jena-based company is presenting, among other things, the potential of the JENOPTIK-VOTANTM P laser unit.
In the packaging area, JENOPTIK has specialized particularly in the processing of plastic, cardboard-plastic and cardboard-aluminum-plastic composites as well as plastic films for flexible packaging. Scanner systems move the laser beam across the material to be processed, making it possible to generate a virtually unlimited variety of figures and structures at top speed. Depending on the type of material, the system can achieve production line feed rates ranging from 100 to 1000 m/min (roll to roll).
The Jena-based company offers the JENOPTIK-VOTAN P laser units especially for use in the production of cardboard composite packaging for liquids and for flexible packaging made of plastic films. To generate figures and structures, the following processing procedures are carried out, also in combination with one another:
Cutting (trimming, separating and slitting)
Perforation (easy ventilation)
Scribing (easy opening, production of predetermined breaking points, weakening also in the form of holes of defined depth)
Labeling (security codes)
Along with processing speed and quality of workmanship, laser technology provides several other benefits: it makes it possible to modify geometric shapes and processing parameters in a versatile way, for example, and store them as data. This reduces the time required to retool for another product to an absolute minimum. The laser scanner systems installed over the material to be processed enable the non-contact processing of the moving material web, ensuring long-term operation with no wear whatsoever. Potential uses for material processing via laser can be thoroughly tested at the customer applications centers in Jena and Detroit. The highly qualified application engineers there are ready to help.