Innovative laser machine set to revolutionise industrial engraving and texturing
The market for laser surface texturing on moulds and dies for plastic and rubber products is notorious for high installation and running costs and a lack of flexibility. As a result, Europe’s plastic and rubber products manufacturers and design brands, which depend on the laser texturing of moulds, find themselves at a significant disadvantage. To change this, the EU-funded INFINITE 2.0 project is developing a new generation of laser machines for the laser engraving of moulds, dies and related components. “INFINITE 2.0 aims to redefine the mould, tooling and die sector by means of an innovative high-performing laser texturing machine,” says Silvia Lodetti, communications and marketing manager at ML Engraving. Italy-based ML Engraving specialises in the laser engraving and texturing of moulds.
Redefining the metal and plastic products industry
Unlike most of the engraving technologies currently on the market, which are merely adaptations of processes, INFINITE 2.0 was designed to meet actual customer needs. “Talking with our customers, we learned that what they need most is a fast, flexible and highly accurate solution that is also cost-effective,” explains Lodetti. To address this need, researchers used a unique combination of software and hardware to boost speed, accuracy and the ability to reproduce fine details on complex 3D geometries. The solution is also completely automated, easy to use and 100 % repeatable. According to a study on INFINITE 2.0’s technical, commercial and financial feasibility, the solution is twice as fast as other available technologies. It also has the advantage of being available at half the cost. “INFINITE 2.0’s high precision, industrial productivity rate, and flexibility enables end users to achieve complex design and functional performance – all while maintaining full control of the material’s friction, adhesion and wettability,” adds Lodetti. “With all of these features, plus a series of upcoming technological advancements, INFINITE 2.0 is set to redefine Europe’s metal and plastic products industry.”
From the drawing board and into production
With INFINITE 2.0’s viability asserted, ML Engraving is now ready to move its idea from the drawing board into production. According to Lodetti, the EU funding helped ML Engraving prove not only that its innovative idea is possible, but that it has the potential to put the company at the forefront of its industry. “INFINITE 2.0 is at the heart of our strategy to become the world leader in laser engraving and texturing,” she says. “Its success will enable us to consolidate our position in the die and mould engraving sector and get a foothold in the lucrative industrial laser machining market.” The company is currently working on securing Phase 2 funding, which they would use to start building the INFINITE 2.0 machine.
Keywords
INFINITE 2.0, laser machine, laser texturing machine, machining, engraving, texturing, mould, tooling, die, laser surface texturing
