There are a growing number of applications where components used within the automotive industry require marking for identification and traceability. In certain cases, a component may require marking in more than one place — and in some instances, a range of part types may need to be processed. When a leading UK manufacturer of automotive fuel systems was faced with these requirements, it turned to ES Technology Ltd, Kingston Bagpuize (www.estechnology.co.uk).

The concept the company developed for this application uses a combination of technologies to provide a high level of flexibility. Components are presented to the system in trays that are delivered on a conveyor system; a six-axis robot is then used to pick the items individually from the tray and load them on a six-position rotary indexing table.

As the table indexes, the part that has just been loaded by the robot is checked by a vision system to determine the component profile and radial orientation. A further index presents the part to the laser marking station, where it is lifted from the table nest and rotated by motorised grippers that present it in the correct position for marking. With many components requiring marking in multiple positions, the motorised grippers are used to re-position the part between marking cycles.

The unit is designed to handle a range of component types. Marking is provided by a Rofin PowerLine 10E Air laser source, coupled with a fast-focusing module. The laser is used to produce 2-D data matrix codes; following the marking process a separate vision system is used to read and grade these codes (all good parts are returned to the original tray by the robot, while any that are deemed to have failed the inspection process are put in a separate reject tray). The system is fully guarded and provides a safe, clear view of
the marking operation.