Synrad Sheds Light on Converting Applications

Published: March 06, 2020

For more than 30 years, Synrad has engineered and delivered high performance CO₂ lasers to OEMs and manufacturers and processors around the globe. We know CO₂ lasers and understand the needs and challenges of the converting industry. Keeping pace with converting industry trends today means shorter runs, customized designs, and quick turn orders while optimizing productivity and minimizing operating costs. We hear these concerns daily, and help our customers meet their specific goals.

CO₂ lasers are not new technology, they are proven, reliable tools that have been used for material processing applications for many years. What you may not know is that the specific wavelengths created by a CO2 laser is uniquely suited for processing a wide range of materials, many of which are common to the converting industry, including:

• Wood, wood products
• Paper, paperboard
• Cardboard
• Plastics
• Polymers
• Thin films
• Foils
• Textiles
• Leather
• Labels

The benefits high performance CO₂ lasers offer converters and material processors are many:

• Multiple Processes: a single laser can cut, mark, drill, engrave, score, perforate, and more through a combination of laser settings and beam delivery. The option to have a single piece of equipment perform multiple processing steps provides cost-savings, and saves valuable floor space in manufacturing environments.
• Unique Processes: because of the physics governing laser/material interactions, lasers can offer unique effects and applications. This includes innovative new designs that integrate fine features other equipment cannot provide. Because laser processing is non-contact, lasers can also work with extremely delicate materials, or materials that need to remain sterile.
• Digital Processing: lasers and their beam delivery equipment are software-controlled, allowing designs to be created or updated on-the-fly. This makes changeovers quick and painless, and even allows each manufactured part to be entirely unique if desired.
• Highly Reliable: CO₂lasers are designed to be rugged industrial pieces of equipment and many run 5+ years without requiring service. This reliability and the lack of consumables or replacement mechanical parts means downtimes will be kept to a minimum.
• Fast Learning Curve: laser settings and design files are digital, and can be saved as a baseline for future projects or materials. For initial installation of laser equipment, laser systems (combined laser and scan head assemblies) minimize integration design work, and allow users to be operating within minutes.
• Reduced Operating Costs: the above benefits combine to provide cost-savings over the laser’s lifetime. The digital nature of the process, the ability to accomplish multiple processes with a single piece of equipment, and minimized change-over and repair downtime enable cost-effective processing, including: prototyping, short runs, and even unique individual parts.
• Added Flexibility and Improved Efficiency: CO₂lasers are proven performers, replacing legacy mechanical technology with digital precision and control. Users of CO₂laser processing systems stay ahead of their competition by offering their customers more flexibility with greater efficiency to keep pace with ever-changing market trends.

Application Testing

Synrad offers Original Equipment manufacturers (OEMs), material processors, and convertors unique application testing services worldwide. Using your actual materials and our fully staffed Application Testing Labs in the US, Germany, China and Japan we determine the best CO₂ laser to meet your specific needs. We also provide unique how-to processing insights, ensuring optimal production results. Customer participation is encouraged so customers can see for themselves the results they can achieve.

The Novanta Advantage

 As a Novanta company, Synrad has unique access to advanced industry expertise and laser related products. Novanta’s photonics, vision, and precision motion components and subsystem solutions meet the needs in growing markets, including converting and material processing.

Synrad a Novanta Company

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