case study
 

How to Secure Part Marking on Multi-Part Trays?

Multiple Variants, One Laser Marking Station: The Risks of Manual Recipe Management

Bosch Rexroth produces multiple spool valve variants on one of its manufacturing lines. Each variant corresponds to a specific parts tray and a different marking recipe, with data pulled directly from the customer database.

The cylindrical geometry of the parts requires precise positioning on the trays. A misidentified tray or incorrectly assigned recipe directly results in parts marked with wrong data — a defect that is difficult to detect downstream and costly to address.

The objective was to find a solution capable of handling this reference variability without making reliability dependent on operator vigilance.

The customer required a secure laser marking station that was straightforward to operate, required no extensive training, and could automatically detect the current tray configuration before any marking cycle was triggered.

Deployed Solution: XXL-BOX Laser Marking Station for Multi-Part Tray Marking with Automatic Detection and Database-Driven Control

The selected solution is a XXL-BOX laser marking station, enclosed with a manual drawer, fitted with interchangeable trays designed specifically for each part variant.

Each tray is automatically detected by a set of sensors upon insertion into the drawer. This information is cross-referenced against the recipe file selected in the SIC FACTORY AUTOMATION software: if the loaded tray does not match the expected recipe, the operator receives an alert before the laser is triggered.

Marking data is imported directly from the customer database, eliminating all manual data entry. The laser head movement is automatically managed to cover the entire tray surface, regardless of the cylindrical parts layout.

This configuration — hardware detection, software verification, operator alert — creates a control loop that ensures compliant marking without extending the production cycle or imposing complex procedures on the operator.

Reliable Traceability and Streamlined Operations on a Multi-Reference Line with Laser Marking

The deployment of the XXL-BOX laser marking station at Rexroth addresses the facility’s dual constraint:

• Sustaining a throughput of one tray per minute while guaranteeing consistency between the part variant being produced and the marking data applied.

• Automatic tray detection and recipe matching eliminate the primary source of human error.

The operator’s role is limited to loading the drawer and confirming the launch; everything else is handled by the station.

Part traceability is secured without any additional process steps or supplementary inspection tools.

Three Measurable Gains in Traceability, Operator Ergonomics, and Laser Marking Quality

1. 100% Reliable Traceability
   The match between tray, recipe, and customer database data is automatically verified at every cycle. No part can be marked with incorrect data without triggering an alert.

2. Operator Readiness Without Specific Training
The interface and detection logic reduce operator intervention to loading and confirmation actions. Variant and recipe management is handled by the system, not the user.

3. Consistent Marking Quality on Cylindrical Parts

Automatic laser head movement ensures uniform coverage of each tray, regardless of the current variant. Fiber laser technology delivers permanent, machine-readable marking on machined steel.