Automatic laser-based identification and marking of high-grade steel qualities

A manufacturer of different types of stainless piping components for chemical and offshore industries has to assure that no mixing up of steel qualities occurs in the production line up to the final marking of the products. A new laser-based identification and marking system (LIMAS) was developed which enables a complete automation of the identification and marking of workpieces made of high-grade steel qualities. Laserinduced emission spectrometry as a non-contact method is used to analyse different steel qualities. The same laser then marks the product with the determined material code number, the product designation and the logo of the manufacturer.