How are laser cutting machines for labels different from other laser cutting machines?
This past year the first laser cutting machines that were specifically designed for narrow web label applications were introduced to worldwide label converters. These laser cutting machines have smaller physical dimensions, in the area of 2.8 metres wide x 1.6 metres deep x 1.9 metres high. The laser beams in these machines have a 210 micron spot size cutting across a 200 x 200 millimetre working field. Their software is optimised for cutting the many heat-sensitive substrates commonly used in label applications. This also allows for the automated removal of cut labels from release paper, which is difficult in inferior systems that cannot manage heat issues and therefore are poorly matched to label requirements.The difference is actually in the software controls that use advanced algorithms for controlling heat during laser cutting. The sophisticated software of these systems also enables them to combine multiple pictures (labels) with varying geometries and stepups in a single job, an
