ES Technology has released its VIN Mark 30 Laser System to meet the specific needs of the automotive industry, for the production of tamper-evident, self-adhesive labels.
Laser-marked tamper proof labels have now replaced the traditional metal plaques, which were once commonly used for vehicle VIN plates (Vehicle Identification Number).
These plates were generally riveted to the inside of the engine compartment, but were extremely easy to remove thus making it possible to quickly give a stolen vehicle a 'new' identity. Manufacturers now use up to 17 separate identity and information labels on a single vehicle, each of which is self adhesive and tamper evident. These new labels are produced from materials which are ideally suited to the automotive, electronics and security fields. They cure upon adhesion so that they cannot be removed without destroying the label, and they also withstand high temperatures and are highly resistant to weathering. This change in the way in which information is attached to the vehicle brought with it the need to develop a robust and high speed method of producing the new self-adhesive labels.
The VIN Mark 30 Laser System uses laminate foil material manufactured by TESA and supplied in reel form. Foil material from other manufacturers can also be used, following initial feasibility trials to establish suitability and optimum laser marking parameters. The 120mm wide reel of material is loaded to a motorised dispensing mandrel on the machine. At the processing area on the machine a pair of pinch rollers, one stepper motor drive and one spring loaded are used to accurately feed and position the strip material for laser marking.
The system developed by ES Technology to process material supplied by TESA uses a 30W CO2 laser source, which is fully integrated within the machine. However, other laser sources such as Nd Yag are available for alternative materials from other foil suppliers. The marking process is achieved using a high-speed, servo-driven galvo head, which is located above the working area of the machine.