CO2 Lasers for Flexible Food Packaging - Sponsored Whitepaper

Converting applications need reliable Lasers for Highest throughput

Compact size and high reliability are key factors enabling digital converting systems that incorporate multiple lasers for high-throughput cutting, perforating and scoring of flexible films.

Converting paper, plastic film and other flexible materials into pre-formed packag- ing is a fast growing application for sealed CO2 lasers. specifically, converting involves cutting, scoring and micro-perforating of these materials. For example, scoring (cutting to a finite depth) is used for “easy open” packaging or to create features such as “easy pour” spouts. this article examines how current digital converting systems are enabled by the high reliability, low cost, and small size of a new generation of CO2 lasers.

Lasers for Cutting, Perforating and Scoring

One of the major markets driving laser con- verting is food packaging. this includes cartons and pouches made of several dif- ferent plastics, foils or paper, or a laminated combination of these materials. sealed CO2 lasers are effectively penetrating this market because they can process all these different materials. Lasers are now often preferred over traditional tooling for several reasons. Laser converting is fast, making it compat- ible with the speed of existing production lines. it is a flexible digital process based on software tools rather than hard tooling. plus, the laser does not degrade with use. a key feature of laser converting is precision control over scoring depth and micro-per- foration hole size, both of which are ex- tremely hard to achieve with hard tooling. and, thanks to the low cost of this mature laser technology, converting with sealed CO2 lasers is very cost competitive with tra- ditional methods.