Marking Inked Paperboard Boxes

This marking application was driven by a requirement to replace the current EAN/JAN 13-digit barcode on these inked paperboard boxes with a 10-digit barcode symbology.

One choice is to use WinMark Pro’s Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode. Interleaved 2 of 5 is a high-density 1D code where each 2 of 5 character encodes two numeric characters—the first is defined by a combination of two wide bars / three narrow bars while the second character is defined by a set of two wide spaces / three narrow spaces interleaved between the bars that create the first character. This high-density encoding scheme means that the Interleaved 2 of 5 code is the smallest conventional barcode for numeric messages less than ten characters long. For our 10-character code with a Barcode Thin Width value of 0.51 mm (0.02“), overall mark size is 26.4 mm long by 10 mm high (1.04” x 0.39”).

The second code selection is a Data Matrix™ 2D code. The most striking difference between 1D and 2D codes is the amount of data that is marked, and read, in a very compact space. The same 10 digits encoded in our 26.4 mm x 10 mm 1D code are easily encoded in a 2D Data Matrix code measuring only 5 mm square, which equates to an individual cell size of 0.42 mm or 0.016 of an inch! In order to produce a code this small, we configured WinMark Pro to mark the 2D code using vector circles instead of the normal raster-filled cells. In addition to increased mark speed, vector circles allow you to eliminate the Print Growth errors that occur if marked cells overlap into the space reserved for unmarked cells.

We marked the 2 of 5 linear barcode in 0.66
seconds using 30 watts of power at a velocity
of 75 inches per second (IPS).




The 2D code required 0.26 seconds with 25 watts
of power at 50 IPS.

Using 25W to 100W, we achieved cuttings speeds
of 100"/min to 400"/min. The edges are cleanly
cut with minimal discoloration.

Cutting Woven Wire Cloth

This application calls for cutting 0.28 mm-thick (0.011”) woven 316 stainless steel mesh, where each individual strand is made of 0.165 mm (0.0065”) stainless steel wire. The combination of wire diameter and the plain Dutch weave provides a 60-mesh material, which is about the same mesh count per inch as the filter on your kitchen faucet.

The optical setup for cutting stainless steel mesh is similar to the setup for cutting solid stainless—a 63.5 mm (2.5”) positive meniscus lens that provides a 100-micron (0.004”) focused spot and a 1.8 mm (0.07”) depth of field. The big difference between cutting stainless plate and stainless mesh is the assist gas. For the woven mesh, we chose to use 5.5 bar (80 PSI) of high-purity air instead of oxygen. The air assist contains enough oxygen to enhance cutting without leading to run-away combustion of the fine wire mesh.

The woven wire cloth above was cut using 200W
at a speed of 200 inches per minute.