Laser Marking and Laser Etching on Glass for Industrial Applications

The marking of glass for industrial use has been done for hundreds of years. In the past the methods used have included ink stamp marking, sand blasting, air grit, acid etching, scribing etc.

Industrial applications of glass marking include:

1. Marking of safety information on safety glass used in commercial and residential construction. This includes glass areas around doors and/or entrance and exit locations. 2. Marking of glass for commercial and residential construction to identify the glass or door manufacturer [for product identification and marketing/sales activity] 3. Marking of headlamp or tail light lens in automotive applications for manufactures name, year of manufacture and/or part number. Also used in the manufacture of televisions for marking mirrors and lens. 4. Marking of serial number, product identification, or other manufacturing information for the prevention of theft and validation of warranty claims 5. Marking serial numbers, part numbers, text, or bar codes allowing for parts to be tracked though the production process until final assembly and shipment

The traditional methods of glass marking all involve contact with the surface of the glass product which exposes the product to stress and potential damage. Co2 lasers offer significant advantages for marking glass products. The RF excited sealed beam Co2 laser coupled with a galvo head and software offers the fastest, cleanest, most reliable method for marking and etching glass.

A Co2 laser can laser mark glass with bar codes, especially 2-D or data matrix bar codes, which can easily be coupled with vision systems for reading the data contained in the bar code. The use of bar codes on glass allows for the product to be tracked all the way through the production process until final assembly. This helps assure a continuous uninterrupted supply of product. The laser marked or laser etched bar code can also be used after the sale of the product for identification purposes and validation. This helps to eliminate warranty costs related to counterfeit or unauthorized products.

A Co2 laser marked or laser etched bar code can also be read by vision systems in the manufacturing process to determine the identity of the part. Examples include prescription strength of eye glass lens, or the type of front headlamp lens used in a Honda Civic. This ensures that the part is sorted and used properly throughout the manufacturing process and that the correct number of parts is produced based on anticipated sales for final assembled components.

The advances of Co2 laser marking of glass over traditional methods are extensive. These include:

* No contact with the part as in scribing methods thereby reducing the possibility of breakage to and damage of the part, as well as elimination of the maintenance required for the scribe unit * No solvents, thinning, or cleaning agents to purchase and keep in stock as in the case of ink marking or ink printing systems, thereby significantly reducing costs of operation and eliminating the need for continuous maintenance associated with these various ink printing technologies * No pads for ink printing to maintain as they can fall to an angle or become turned sideways causing the printed image on the glass to appear sideways or not square. * No need to stop the glass in place and make sure a secure fit with the rubber mask is formed as in the case of Airgrit marking * With Co2 laser marking for industrial glass applications the product can be marked on the fly [while moving]. If stopped or 'squared' for marking, five to eight lines of text plus logo's can be laser etched in less than 0.5 of a second. * With Co2 laser marking no supplies are necessary and no secondary process exists for cleaning or maintenance. * With Co2 laser marking changes to the mark [different text, different logo, difference shape, etc] can be accomplished with a simple click and drag command of the mouse.

Co2 laser marking for glass in industrial applications is the fastest, most effective, least costly method in which to mark the product

Jim Morin writes for Worldwide Laser Service Corporation a company that specializes in T.E.A. Co2 lasers. For more information visit http://www.wlsc.com

Stretching For Fitness

An ideal fitness routine comprises of exercises to improve cardiovascular efficiency, create muscular strength and endurance along with improved suppleness .Flexibility exercises are those that serve to keep the joints flexible ,especially the vertebral column and its various sections.
Stretching independently or as a part of a fitness routine has many beneficial effects that can be felt even during exercises themselves. In order to understand the benefits of stretching or flexibility exercises, it is essential to understand how the various body tissues are nourished .

What happens when you stretch?

As in case of muscles which recieve their nutrients directly via the vascular system through rapid exchange rhythm ,there is no such active supply system for cartilage tissues covering the ends of bones in joints .Cartilage instead is fed by the migration of particles from the joint fluid surrounding it ,know as the synovial fluid . To be able to absorb the synovial fluid optimally, the cartilage has recourse to an alteration of pressure and suction forces .

It is precisely this regular rhythmic exchange optimizing the supply to the cartilage that is achieved with the flexibility exercises . Indulging in regular stretching exercises leads to enhanced cartilage nutrition and loosening up of all the connective tissues . While performing stretching exercises both outward and inward concentration is necessary .

Remember these stretching tips when doing the following exercises:

Always warm up before stretching. Warming up gives your body a chance to deliver plenty of nutrient rich blood to areas about to be exercised, which warms the muscles and lubricates the joints
Do not bounce or bob when you stretch -- not only is this not effective, but you could injure yourself.
Take each stretch slow to the point where tension can be felt, but not pain.
Never stretch torn or injured muscles unless you have consulted with your doctor.
Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
Always complete each stretch for both sides of your body, when applicable.
Always cool down and relax after a stretching routine. By cooling down, you can help prevent injuries and muscle soreness from your workout.

She is the creator behind WF, has studied in-depth about nutrition, both normal, therapeutic and exercises. President of Women Fitness (WF), she is the author of the "on-line book" on complete fitness. She has designed the customized strength training, cardiovascular training and flexibility training programs and has trained many women in this field. She is a certified Aerobics & Fitness Instructor certified from International Fitness Association (IFA).