Dresden, Germany
Cicor Germany invests in laser marking, expanding the possibilities for flexible traceability
The requirements for traceability in electronics manufacturing are constantly increasing. Customers are increasingly demanding clear and permanently legible marking of assemblies (BG) to reliably document production data, material batches and process steps.
The target industries of Cicor Deutschland GmbH (CID) – such as medical technology, industrial electronics, defence and safety-critical applications – have particularly high documentation requirements. This makes it essential to clearly assign each individual printed circuit board to its production and test data.
As an EMS service provider, CID is responding to this development and is now focusing specifically on laser marking for the identification of printed circuit boards. The Insignum 4000 Laser system with integrated flip station from automation specialist ASYS Group is used for this purpose. This investment will further improve traceability in CID's production and, at the same time, enable flexible adaptation to customer-specific requirements and the ongoing trend towards miniaturisation.
Careful and permanent marking using CO₂ laser colour conversion
Marking is carried out using a CO₂ laser in a process known as colour conversion. This involves selectively altering the solder resist without removing it completely. Copper surfaces are therefore not exposed. This process enables high-contrast, permanent markings with minimal interference with the PCB material. This makes the technology particularly suitable for CID's demanding electronics applications, where reliability and long-term stability are crucial.
It is now possible at the Dresden site to apply serial numbers, data matrix codes and a wide range of customer-specific identifications directly to printed circuit boards. The marking is abrasion-resistant, chemical-resistant and requires no additional consumables.
Serial numbers on both sides for optimal process integration
Electronic assemblies are marked with serial numbers on both sides in a single pass using the laser system. This enables downstream process systems to read the marking from the top side using their integrated sensor technology, regardless of the insertion orientation, without the need for difficult and, above all, cost-intensive modifications to individual process systems. This significantly improves traceability. Even in combined use, each individual assembly can be clearly identified and assigned to the corresponding production and test data. This ensures consistent traceability across all stages of production.
Industrial-grade solution for series production
With the Insignum 4000 laser system, Cicor Germany now has a marking system that is specially designed for the requirements of modern electronics manufacturing. The system can be used to produce precise and reproducible markings with minimum structure widths of 5 mil. The positioning accuracy of the laser is 100 μm @5Sigma. Highly dynamic linear drives also ensure high throughput during the marking process.
The system was integrated into a marking line that also includes a proven automatic labelling machine. This means that CID still has the option of applying SNR labels to BG if customer requirements dictate.
However, the line configuration now also allows for mixed labelling. For example, it is possible to apply an SNR label to one side of the BG if the customer so desires and to laser mark the same serial number on the other side, if necessary, only for internal identification purposes. This allows marking processes to be designed flexibly, automated and integrated into the production flow in a stable manner – an important factor for efficient processes and consistent quality.
By using laser marking, Cicor Germany is strengthening its position as a reliable EMS partner within the international Cicor Group and underlining its commitment to consistently using modern manufacturing technologies in the interests of its customers.
Thomas Schönfeld
Engineering,
Cicor Deutschland GmbH