A dynamic 2D laser mark - Coherent Inc.

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A dynamic 2D laser mark
DAVID CLARK AND KEVIN SIMMONS
A NEW TYPE OF MARK OFFERS COUNTERFEIT BLOCK-
lNG, EXTREME MINIATURIZATION CAPABILITIES, AND
GREATER DAMAGE RESISTANCE
ubiquitous tools for informational marking on a
O truly ne- and staggering two-dimensional array of barcodes products have and become objects.
These marks can be printed on a label or directly applied
to the product with printing or laser marking. However,
traditional barcodes have limited utility in certain areas,
such as blocking product counterfeiting, preventing outsider
access, code miniaturization, and robust informa­
tion content that persists even with physical defacement
of the mark
In a conventional linear barcode, the information
is coded as alternating dark and light lines of varying
thickness and spacing. In a two-dimensional barcode,
the information is coded in an array of dark and light
square pixels. The new 2DMI code is completely different;
a computer algorithm converts the binary or alphanumeric
information into a rectangular (or square) pattern
of intersecting lines (see Figure 1). The position,
angle, and thickness of these lines all combine to carry
the coded information. Several levels of mark complexity
have been developed, with different numbers of lines,
supporting up to 15 digits of information.
Among the advantages of
this approach is a relative
immunity to information loss
through damage. If part of a
traditional barcode is obliter­
ated, then that segment of the
coded information is pennanently
lost. But with 2DMI, as
long as just some part of every
FIGURE 1. Examples of 2DMI line can be imaged by the
marks show how the position,
angle, and thickness of the
lines combine to carry the
reader, then the
ware can readily
system soft­
reconstruct
coded information.
the entire image and thereby
decode all the original information.
In fact, an entire corner or most of a side of the
2D M I mark can be obliterated without any loss of in for ­
mation (see Figure 2). This is particularly useful in multiple-use
and/or high-wear products.
FIGURE 2. Even
significantly
damaged marks
can still be read.
Another major advantage of 2DMI is proprietary
coding. The coding of conventional barcodes is standardized,
and can be read and duplicated by anyone
in order to create them on counterfeit products. Not so
with 2DMI. Complex proprietary encryption algorithms
are used to generate and de-code the marks. Moreover,
these algorithms support almost infinite combinations
of coding. Each licensed user of2DMI is supplied with
their own completely unique encryption algorithm, providing
them with a secure closed system. Anyone not
equipped with that user's algorithm can neither read nor
copy those codes-even if they have their own 2DMI
system supplied by Orbid. This protects the user from
product counterfeiting and hinders the activities of
unscrupulous distributors, such as illegal discounting
or trans-shipments.
Finally, there is a limit to how small conventional
barcodes can be generated and read-the pixels and
lines are close together and need to be a minimum size.
In contrast, 2DMI is a relatively open mark with wellspaced
lines and thus doesn't require the resolution or
contrast of a conventional mark. This allows the 2DMI
mark to be used in a much smaller format. In the case
of small high-value items such as wristwatches, jewelry,
or gemstones, the mark can be generated using a
Q-switched ultraviolet laser, for maximum spatial resolution.
The mark can be a fraction of a millimeter in size
and thus completely unobtrusive.
How is 2DMI marking implemented in practice?
In some cases, customers have engaged Orbid by establishing
an Application Engineering Agreement that
outlines the exact deliverables Orbid needs to achieve
before the client licenses the technology. Part of this
agreement could include the delivery of product samples
and application design specifications. In cases
10m www.industrial-Iasers.com AUGUST 2005 Industrial Laser Solutions 19
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FIGURE 3. A UV laser marking system can produce miniaturized 2DMI marks as on this
titanium screw head.
where anti-counterfeit protection is
an important benefit, a series of genuine
and counterfeit marks can be produced
to prove that the Orbid system
can clearly distinguish between the
two. Purchase of the system requires a
license fee and a per-use fee based on
the number of products being marked.
Small volume customers generally have
their parts marked by a laser system
that might be outsourced by the end
customer. Higher volume customers
purchase a third-party laser marking
workstation in close cooperation with
Orbid. Marks are read by conventional
handheld imaging-type scanners and
the information is decoded in a system
computer equipped with the appropriate
algorithms.
Titanium medical implants
Stryker Leibinger GmbH (Freiburg,
Germany), a division of Stryker, has
implemented 2D MI marking to prevent
counterfeiting of its products. Stryker
Leibinger Micro Implants, one of the
leading names in metal medical implants,
specializes in small screws and plates
that are used to repair fractures of the
mid-face, mandible, and hand, for both
neurological and reconstructive purposes.
Explains Andreas Ippisch, project
engineer, research & development,
"Our products are used to repair tiny
bones following trauma and are used
in small delicate operations. In fact the
biggest screw we make is only 3.2 mm x
42 mm. And some of our screws are only
1 mm in diameter with a 1.8 mm diame­
ter head and 2mm length. Our products
are made from either pure titanium or
titanium alloy."
At first glance, this may seem to be an
unlikely product-type for counterfeiting.
However, these are high value products
and the company has experienced problems
with copies of inferior material in
the marketplace. Clearly it is not in the
interest of the patient or Stryker for these
unregulated copies to make their way into
critical surgeries. Furthermore, the FDA
requires that, if the technology is available,
implant suppliers implement a product
traceability system that allows product
tracking from initial fabrication all
the way to the patient. There is also the
issue of trans-shipment where distributors
may illegally divert products intended for
" one country to another country in order
! to avoid or reduce import duties and
~ other fees.
j Stryker utilizes a 2DMI marking sys­
."J tern based on an all solid-state, ultravi­
~ olet laser (Coherent Avia). This source
provides the required spatial resolution
and power for making small marks in titanium.
They are using Image Team 4600
PDF handheld readers to read the marks.
The company plans to use 2DMI to now
mark every individual component with
up to 12 bits of information.
The 2DMI system satisfies Stryker's
goal of marking even the tiniest of
screws with a proprietary system mark
that can only be read by Stryker personnel,
licensed agents, and customers.
Ippisch explains that, "Mark miniaturization
is the key for our application. On
FIGURE 4. The 2DMI mark can withstand cosmetic damage without information loss,
which is an advantage for long-life products such as this stainless steel beer keg.
20 Industrial Laser Solutions AUGUST 2005 www.industrial-Iasers.com

a screw head as small as 1.8 mm diam­
eter, when you allow for the size of the
slots or driving notches, there is very
little room left for a mark. Yet with
2DMI and a UV laser, we can code
15 digits of information into a mark
that is between 250 and 350 microns
square (see Figure 3). And because
we have a unique coding algorithm
supplied by Orbid, no-one but Stryker
and our associates can read the code
or produce counterfeit products that
appear as though they were made by
our company."
Marking stainless-steel beer kegs
Trumer Brauerei, producer of Trumer
Pils, an authentic European pilsner
originating in Austria and brewed in
Berkeley, CA, recently adopted 2DMI
marking for its stainless-steel kegs
because of the mark's durability and
resistance to damage. Master Brewer
Lars Larson explains, "The typical beer
keg has an expected lifetime of 20 to
30 years. It may be filled between two
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and 10 times a year depending on the
market, with seal changes performed
after roughly every 10 fills. These beer
kegs have a rough and long life, accumulating
lots of scratches and dings
over that lifetime. We are hoping that
the 2DMI system will stand up to this
abuse and ultimately allow us to track,
trace, and inventory everyone of our
kegs. All tests so far indicate that this
will be successful. The biggest challenge
so far is in optimizing the scanning
process. Should this technology
prove itself at our brewery, there are
implications for use at the other breweries
within our organization, which
carry larger keg fleets than Trumer."
To date Trumer has marked about
half their total of several thousand kegs
(see Figure 4). These are marked on both
the top and bottom surface. Several different
sized marks were tested for read­
ability, with the final choice measuring
just less than 19 mill. Both the top and
bottom surfaces must be marked because
beer kegs are cleaned and filled upside
down. Having a mark on the lower surface
has allowed Trumer to integrate an
automatic recording system that logs the
kegs as they leave the filling station. The
kegs are then stacked upright on pallets.
They are then scanned at shipping using
a handheld scanner on the top surface.
And finally, returned kegs are manually
scanned upon return to the brewery,
before any cleaning is performed.
In conclusion, the applications for
laser marking continue to grow and
diversify. The development of a new
type of two-dimensional mark will add
considerable value and integrity over
both the traditional barcode and alphanumeric-type
marks for many diverse
products. At the same time, continued
advances in solid-state lasers, especially
with output in the UV, means that these
benefits can be realized without adding
undue cost to the marked products. ~
David Clark (david.clark@coherent.com) is
with Coherent Inc. and Kevin Simmons
(ksimmons@orbidcorp.com) is with Orbid Corp.
www.industrial-Iasers.com AUGUST 2005 Industrial Laser Solutions 21