Our industrial automation services team followed a structured machine design approach to develop a safe, reliable, and production-ready laser marking system.
System Layout and Machine Architecture
The engineering team first developed a complete 3D layout of the laser marking cell to define the overall machine architecture and component placement. This helped optimize the machine footprint, operator accessibility, service access, and component integration early in the design stage.
Key considerations included:
- Placement of the laser unit, gantry system, fixtures, guarding, and extraction system
- Optimizing machine footprint and operator access
- Planning cable routing and component integration
- Providing adequate access for maintenance and servicing
A DFMEA (Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) was conducted to identify potential risks and improve reliability and safe operation.
Gantry System for Laser Positioning
A single-axis gantry system was designed to position the laser head across the fixture layout.
The gantry structure was engineered to support the cantilever load from the laser unit and fume extraction assembly while maintaining stiffness and stable motion.
Key design considerations included:
- Maintaining gantry rigidity to minimize deflection
- Supporting cantilever loads from laser and extraction components
- Ensuring repeatable positioning across multiple parts
- Providing stable motion for consistent marking quality
- Precision linear guides and controlled motion components were incorporated to ensure smooth movement and accurate positioning.
Drawer-Based Loading System for Batch Processing
A drawer-based loading assembly was designed to support safe and efficient batch processing of parts. The drawer accommodates multiple fixtures provided by the client, allowing operators to load parts outside the marking area and slide the drawer into the machine for processing.
The drawer assembly was designed to:
- Securely accommodate multiple fixtures for batch loading
- Ensure consistent positioning of fixtures within the marking area
- Allow quick loading and unloading of parts by the operator
Safe and Ergonomic Operator Loading
The drawer mechanism enables safe and convenient operator interaction during part loading.
Operators load parts into the fixtures within the drawer and initiate the marking cycle after entering batch details through HMI and barcode scanning.
The system includes:
- Safety interlocks to prevent laser operation when the drawer is open
- Part-present sensing using a diffuse reflection sensor to confirm correct loading
- Controlled batch processing through the HMI interface
Integrated Travelling Fume Extraction
A travelling fume extraction system was integrated with the gantry assembly to remove fumes generated during marking.
The extraction unit moves with the laser head, ensuring effective fume capture throughout the marking process without interfering with machine movement or surrounding components.
Parametric Guarding and Safety Compliance
The machine enclosure and guarding were developed using Autodesk Inventor iLogic, enabling a parametric guarding system that can be easily adapted for future machine variants.
The design aligned with key industrial safety standards, including:
- ISO 12100 – Safety of Machinery
- ANSI B11 – Machine Safety Standards
- ANSI Z136 – Laser Safety Guidelines
These considerations ensure the machine design meets industrial safety requirements while maintaining reliability and ease of operation.
Design Deliverables
Sedin Engineering delivered the 3D machine design and detailed manufacturing drawings for the laser marking system, including the machine structure, gantry assembly, fixtures, and guarding. The deliverables supported the client in moving forward with machine manufacturing and implementation.
