Timeless impressions - FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving | Alltec ...

Timeless impressions
Laser engraving solutions for the mint industry

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Everything is possible:
Our laser engraving solutions for the mint industry
Whether laser-based die and minting tool production or direct processing of final
products such as coins, medals or circulation money; from the artist’s model through
the digitization and creation of security features and visual effects to laser engraving
and direct laser marking: FOBA’s workstations and machines for laser engraving and
the especially for and with the industry developed engraving process cover all industrial
requirements and technically feasible applications.
→ Laser deep engraving
By repeatedly removing layers of
material deep marks/engravings are
created.
→ Three-dimensional engraving
Depending on the component geometry
material layer by material layer is removed.
In contrast to laser deep engraving –
three-dimensional engraving is used to
precisely process more complex products
such as dies or tools.
→ Frosting
Frosting or matting involves direct laser
material processing of the final product
or minting tool for the creation of visual
effects.
→ Surface structuring
The laser applies previously precisely
defined (micro) structures and textures
to workpiece surfaces (injection mold
tools and minting tools).
Leaving our stamp on the industry for years:
The experts in deep engraving and laser marking
Experience leads to expertise at FOBA. For decades we have been working with laser
technology for deep engraving and have become specialists in this field. Laser engraving,
laser marking and engineering made in Germany. A global leader acclaimed as the
manufacturer of advanced, well-engineered laser marking and engraving solutions
since 1991 and in the future.
→ Micro engraving
Micro engraving is utilized to apply finest
and filigree structures to tools for minting
or jewelry manufacturing.
→ Laser latent image
Laser latent images are modern security
features that protect money and valuable
items against unauthorized reproduction
or misuse.
→ Smoothing
In order to improve the surface quality
and achieve long lifetimes of tools, the
laser finishes and smoothes previously
engraved areas.
→ Edge lettering
Laser engraving of the tools that are used
for edge lettering/edge inscription.
→ Direct marking
Finished medals, coins, watches and
jewelry are refined and directly marked by
means of laser direct marking – among
other things in edge (circumference) areas.
Focused on challenging applications
Past and present have always been closely linked. The
corner stones we set down just yesterday form the basis for
the significant new developments of tomorrow. Patented
technologies are the foundation of ideal solutions for our
clients. Today’s achievements would be inconceivable without
past accomplishments! We have focused on challenging
applications and complex tasks from the outset, a key
factor in our becoming the market leader for laser and deep
engraving in the mint industry. The challenges we set for
ourselves were always impressive. This applies to all areas
including grey scale or photo marking for ID cards and security
documents, day and night design in lacquer removal
on high quality plastic parts for the interior of cars or in
deep engraving in tool and mold and die industries.
The market leader for laser and deep engraving
in the mint industry
Our achievements have earned us our market leadership
in deep engraving. Our experts have been researching in this
field and contributing to its development for decades.
We have coined our reputation as pioneers of this discipline –
maintaining the Research and Development spirit to this
day, along with our unique status as the only manufacturer
with a global training, services, expertise and distribution
network. Not only is FOBA the technology leader in Europe,
Africa, Asia, North and South America, FOBA is on the
ground locally.
We don’t simply deliver the machine.
We support and develop the entire process
By setting high standards for ourselves, we constantly and
consistently challenge ourselves to provide new innovations.
The solutions we develop convince our worldwide clientele
that we understand their processes and speak their language.
The mint industry currently has over 40 FOBA 3D laser
engraving systems in service in sophisticated production
processes. We don’t simply deliver the machine. We support
and develop the entire process, from artwork creation and
configuration to the finished die and the subsequent direct
marking of the end product.

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Leaving our stamp on the mint industry:
Uncompromising solutions for core requirements
A company that manufactures circulation currencies or collectors’ items such as coins
or medals is not inclined to make compromises. The end product as well as the die must
be absolutely secure and reliable. Unlimited attention to detail and absolute (repeatable)
accuracy are indispensable for the templates and for micro applications. The direct
mark ing of coins end products requires ultra-high resolution. Production processes should
be lean and efficient. Solutions require a systematic approach and the power to innovate.
Moreover, they require the technology that can handle hard materials. Laser-based die
production and the direct processing of coins with our system-based and process oriented
solutions offers multiple advantages versus traditional processes:
Completely laser engraved
die for the security technology
during processing (3D engraving)
in a FOBA laser engraving
machine.
Bronze die of the Algerian
Mint that was produced with
FOBA’s laser engraving machine
G10 and a Nd:YAG engraving
laser (100 Watts). The engraving
time amounted 33 hours and
18 minutes. (© Algerian Mint)
Tough as steel
The laser produces the die entirely in the tempered material –
regardless if it concerns a deep engraving or 3D engraving
of raised reliefs or characters. Hardness restrictions on steel
machining are not an issue for the laser. In contrast to con ­
ventional processes, even materials of high grade hardness
(> 65 HRC) can be engraved, textured, frosted or marked.
Thus the potential for savings arises not only from the optimization
of the process chain.
Pure precision
Minting dies are manufactured to high micron range
precision. The online depth control ensures that specifically
defined engraving depth and relief height are precisely
adhered to. Areas or surfaces destined for frosting are automatically
detected via a patented process and accurately
machined. Thus, machining even the tiniest and delicate
filigree areas with utmost accuracy does not pose any problems.
All of which is far more precise, repeatably accurate
and economical than would be the case with traditional
methods.
Lean and efficient
With the implementation of our solutions, tool and minting
die manufacturing has become significantly more efficient.
The entire process is controlled by software – from the
creation and digitizing of templates to the engraving and
partial processing directly in the tempered material and
all the way to frosting and direct marking. Laborious steps
such as the manual taping for frosting are now superfluous.
Costs incurred by deterioration or breakage of tools are
now a thing of the past.
At FOBA we know the requirements of the mint industry.
And for years we’ve been finding and providing the right
answers: innovative, customer-specific laser engraving
and laser marking solutions. We are proud to be able to say
that not only have we satisfied our clients again and again;
much more so, we have trimmed down, modernized and
definitively contributed to the development of all the processes
required for the production of coining dies in the
mint industry.

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Many requirements. One solution:
The process solution for laser engraving
in the mint industry
Digitizing, 3D or deep engraving, latent images, smoothing, frosting, surface texturing,
edge lettering, and direct marking of the finished product: Our laser-based process
solution encompasses all the steps involved in the tool and die production as well as
direct marking – all in one process chain. Minting dies and tools can now be completely
manufactured, and end products such as coins and medals refined by the laser.
An intelligent, integrated, coherent process solution that bears the name FOBA G-Series.
FOBA process chain
→ Laser deep engraving
of dies, tools, etc.
→ 1. Artwork
An artist’s model (plaster or wax) is created.
→ 2. Scanning/Digitizing
Digitizing of the artist’s model or, as the case may be,
the minting die template of the historical image of
the coin or medal to be reproduced via a 3D scanner.
→ Three-dimensional laser
engraving
of minting dies, tools,
punches, etc.
→ Laser latent images
for the protection
of valuable objects
→ Smoothing
of engraved areas
→ 3. Software
3a: Continued processing of the data scanned in step 2.
3b: Direct creation of a 3D model within the software
(eliminates steps 1 and 2).
Steps 3a and 3b are executed with 3D-enabled
CAD software (e.g. CopyCAD or PowerSHAPE by DELCAM)
or with the implementation of engraving and/or relief
processing software (e.g. ArtCAM).
→ 4. Importing data into laser engraving machine
– Importing of the 3D data (files) in FOBA EMC
– Process control (axes, parameters)
– IMP (Intelligent Marking Positioning via
camera system)
– Online depth control
– Beginning of processing
→ Micro engraving
to apply finest structures
to tools and stamps
→ Frosting (partial)
of minting tools or
finished products
→ Direct marking
of finished coins, medals,
objects of value, etc.
(special edition coins, direct
marking in edge areas)

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More than just a laser engraving facility: FOBA G-Series
An intelligent, user-friendly system
FOBA is the leading provider of 3D and laser deep engraving. Well over two hundred and
fifty of our technologically advanced laser engraving centers provide reliable, consistently
precise service for international clients. Although it appears to be a simple laser engraving
machine, it is actually much more: an intelligent, intuitive system. A laser engraving
expert that thinks, sees and inspires confidence with its user-friendly mode, so well
adapted to the work processes in tool manufacturing.
→ IMP (camera system)
The patented IMP vision alignment system, proven
and tested in over one hundred installations, detects the
positioning of areas and components to be processed,
and adjusts the engraving, frosting or marking precisely
as required. Added value:
+ Exceptionally suited for automated serial processing
+ Consistently highest processing quality
+ Faster finishing
+ Improved accuracy
+ Increased efficiency
+ Increased productivity
+ Drastically reduced scrap
Intelligence
FOBA EMC is the real brain of the G-Series, the central controlling
software for all engraving applications. The marking
software FOBAGRAF, the 3D software FOBA 3D, the axis
control, the camera system for the automated detection of
positioning and engraving alignment IMP and the online
depth control all run together here as in a control center,
i.e. the Brain.
User-friendliness
Laser processing centers for 3D and laser deep engraving,
equipped with the appropriate laser matched for the
individual application (various lasers are available for
different applications). The engraving systems in the
G-Series are equipped with height-adjustable laser heads,
can drive up to 5 axes and are flexible, powerful and precise.
They operate in contact-free mode, engraving, smoothing,
frosting and marking with optimal accuracy of detail
and reliability.
→ Online depth control
Tactile probes, optical sensors, FOBA 3D and FOBA EMC are
perfectly coordinated: The material removal (actual depth)
is measured several times during the engraving process and
compared with the target engraving depth. The remaining
removal is re-calculated, the laser parameters automatically
adjusted, the subsequent engraving layers removed.
The engraving depth is precisely controlled and executed
down to a few micrometers, enabling exact adherence to
defined relief heights.
→ FOBA 3D
3D software to import and convert data into a layering
model for the 3D and deep engraving.
→ Multi-axis driving
FOBA EMC controls the servo drives. This allows
for driving up to 5 axes (X, Y, Z, rotate and swivel axes).
Laser engraving machine FOBA G3

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Seven in one sweep:
Main application areas
The laser engraving systems of the FOBA G-Series lead with far more than the sum of
their “inner values”: engraving, smoothing, frosting, refining and marking. The G-Series
enables creation of three dimensional surface structures for texturing, such as convex
curvatures or concave hollows as easily as multi-faceted frostings, textures and optical
effects on embossing stamps or markings and edge marking of finished coins and medals.
The laser processing centers are versatile, flexible and create efficient synergies:
one system, multiple possibilities.
Coin prototype with frosted areas
[Coin image© 2012 Royal Canadian Mint –
All Rights Reserved/ Image de pièce© 2012
Monnaie royale canadienne – Tous droits
réservés]
Engraving and surface texturing of mint dies and tools
Direct marking and processing
of the end product
Laser engraved mold
(© Weibrecht Lasertechnik)
4-fold laser changeable image on a silver
medal of the Berlin Mint (© Berlin Mint)
Various laser engraved
surface structures
→ 3D laser engraving/deep
engraving/micro engraving
Engraving of coining and
medal dies and similar items
such as punches. Positive and
negative minting dies are
created.
→ Laser latent image
Engraving of extremely
diffi cult to produce laser
latent images as safety
feature for the protection
of money and valuables.
Depending on the perspective
and tilt angle diffe rent
images become visible.
With FOBA’s G-Series latent
images with up to 4 different
images can be created.
→ Surface smoothing
Smoothing of engraved
structures/textures.
→ Frosting and surface
structuring
Partial frosting and surface
structuring/texturing for
the creation of visual effects.
Any type of texture can be
applied.
→ Edge lettering
Engraving of embossing rings,
edge lettering tools, and rolling
tools.
→ Laser marking
Laser marking directly on
finished coins, medals and
in edge (circumference)
areas, e.g. for the production
of special editions and
collectors’ exhibition pieces.

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A) Camera system IMP (Intelligent Mark Positioning)
for the automated optical part detection and marking or engraving alignment
B) Circulation coin (Canadian 2-Dollar coin Toonie): The 2-Dollar coin that was introduced
by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2012 was – along with the 1-Dollar coin – the first widecirculation
coin that was produced in large numbers with the help of laser technology.
The Royal Canadian Mint incorporated edge lettering, a microscopic mark and a
reversible image into the coins as optical security features.
[Coin image© 2012 Royal Canadian Mint – All Rights Reserved/ Image de pièce
© 2012 Monnaie royale canadienne – Tous droits réservés]
C) Punch for the certification of authenticity
D) Stamp with 3-fold laser virtual image
A)
B)
C)
Impressive:
Marked advantages and added value
Conventional processes for manufacturing dies, molds and tools for minting coins or
medals are time consuming and costly. Often, an experienced engraver may take several
days to complete a die manually. Our laser-based solution also offers advantages over
CNC production that include more than just saving time:
Fast and efficient
Shortened cycles, set-up time, faster production times for frosting by cutting
out time intensive taping of the piece as well as drastic reduction of tool
costs and breakage make the contact-free laser processing procedure a high
speed, high quality and efficient manufacturing method for the mint
industry.
Forgery-proof
Micro engravings or coining dies and hallmarking stamps for certification
of genuineness make coins and metallic items more secure. This is facilitated
by material removal in layers and the capacity for micro engraving with the
FOBA solution. Finest lines and filigree texturing thereby become a reality
with the smallest possible focus diameter of 7 µm.
D)
The comprehensive solution
Our laser engraving solution is based on a process developed
by our experienced engineers. This covers all steps – from
digitizing to engraving and to the ultimate surface finishing
and refining.
Precision and repetition accuracy
Micrometer-precise machining and a computer controlled
process are what make this possible. Regardless if this concerns
controlled material removal during deep engraving,
precise machining of areas to be frosted, exact position
detection and adjustment for optimal processing results –
all areas of the FOBA solution are marked by absolute
accuracy that can be easily repeated.
Precisely detailed and brilliant
With their extraordinary precision and attention to minute detail the
machines of the G-Series enable a surface finish of 0.5 μm (Ra). Online monitoring
and control of deep engraving and the IMP camera system ensure
that the finished die or marking on the end product conform exactly to
the specifi cations of the file template.
Reproduction of historical exhibits
Economical and repeatable, FOBA’s G-Series offers the ideal solution for reproduction
of historical coins, medals or jewelry items. Once digitized and saved,
there are no other constraints to hinder an exact reproduction.

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Impressed:
Our clients
We speak our client’s language
FOBA worldwide: training, service, application
Coin minting institutions worldwide trust and rely on our process and systems
solutions, putting them to broad and varied use in their production processes.
A)
B) C)
Equator | 40,000 km
D) E)
F)
FOBA locations
Sales and service partners
G) H) I)
J) K)
L)
A) 4-fold latent image on a
silver medal (©Berlin Mint)
B) Medal die with 4-fold
latent image (©Berlin Mint)
C) Laser engraved female medal
die with 4-fold virtual image
(©Berlin Mint)
D, E) Panes of glass with laser engravings
F) Various frosting levels
G) FOBA coin with and without
frosted areas
H) Laser engraved mold
(© Weibrecht Lasertechnik)
I) Various laser engraved hatchings
and structures
J–M) Various laser engraved minting dies
N, O) Laser engraved mint dies
of the Royal Canadian Mint
(Coin images© 2012 Royal Canadian
Mint – All Rights Reserved/Image de pièce
© 2012 Monnaie royale canadienne –
Tous droits réservés)
Legal details
→ Publisher
ALLTEC GmbH
www.fobalaser.com
→ Concept/text
ALLTEC GmbH
Dana Francksen
→ Artwork
wirDesign Berlin
www.wirDesign.de
→ Photography
www.sichtbahr.de
www.awfotografie.de
www.av-fotografie.de
M) N) O)

→ Contact
ALLTEC GmbH
FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving
An der Trave 27–31
23923 Selmsdorf
Germany
T +49 38823 55-0
F +49 38823 55-222
info@fobalaser.com
www.fobalaser.com
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