The company states that laser marking of both legends and logos offers the triple benefits of being waterproof, smudge-proof and durable, and says that the process is ideal for very small machine-readable markings such as sequential QR codes or barcodes. Consecutive numbering can be carried out quickly, easily and cost effectively. Using a laser to mark an enclosure is said to provide a much more resilient solution than printing because it physically changes the colour of the surface: dark and light plastic parts turn grey at the point of marking.
Suitable materials for laser marking include ABS, ASA+PC and ASA+PC-FR, polycarbonate, polyamide (and PA GF) and aluminium. Depending on the materials involved, the company says that off-white, pebble grey, light grey, lava and black enclosure colours are good for high-contrast laser marking.
OKW continues to offer photo-quality digital printing (up to 1,800 x 1,800 dpi) on surfaces with a height difference of up to 2.5 mm. Like laser marking, the set-up costs for digital printing are much lower than those for traditional silk screen or tampo methods, making digital printing and laser marking ideal for lower volume production runs.
OKW’s other enclosure customisation options includes CNC machining, lacquering, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding, installation and assembly, fully bespoke enclosures, membrane keypads and touchscreens, examples of which can be seen on the company’s stand at PCB Live or at this link: https://www.okw.co.uk/en/Customising.htm
The PCB Live exhibition is the UK’s only specialist event dedicated to everything PCB and takes place at the acclaimed British Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire. Positioned immediately adjacent to the world famous JLR facility and just 1 minute from the M40, the venue offers visitors ease of access and abundant free parking. Visitors also benefit from free show entry, a free bacon roll and brew for those arriving before 1030, free tea and coffee on site all day and free entry to the British Motor Museum itself through exhibition pre-registration. (The standard adult entry fee is £14.50 otherwise). Housing almost 300 interesting (and in many cases, unique) cars, the museum exhibits map the trials, tribulations and world-beating innovations that have provided such interesting waypoints on the UK’s automotive design and manufacturing journey.
