Laselec has recently developed a marking process specially designed for aluminum wire. Produced at the request of Airbus, this new process uses laser technology to pre-mark dots. Because the crimp contacts for aluminum wire are waterproof and have no openings, the dots are required to ensure that the crimping operation took place correctly. A high degree of precision is required in order to position the dots.

In order to meet current weight reduction constraints, aluminum wire is being used extensively in the latest generation of aircraft. An A380 requires more than 500 kilometers of various kinds of wires and cables, and each section must be clearly identified in order to facilitate maintenance. Further to requests from Airbus, Laselec has designed and developed a specific process for the marking of aluminum cables, which consists in a pre-marking of the spots by laser. Until recently, the wire and cable companies used felt-tip markers instead. “The main disadvantages of this manual method were related to the imprecise and non-permanent nature of the resulting markings precluding any verification thereafter of the crimping operation. Pre-marking with laser-printed dots solves these problems, guaranteeing secure work and the satisfactory crimping of the contacts,” explained Laselec’s CEO Eric Dupont. The process, which has resulted in several submitted patents by Airbus and Laselec, will be deployed shortly by aerospace wiring and cabling companies.

The use of a laser system guaranteeing a permanent marking solution that does not damage the insulation represents a real breakthrough in the cable- and wire-marking sector. Widely used in both civil and military aerospace programs, this technique has proven to be very successful in a number of other sectors, including the automotive industry for commercial, luxury or competition vehicles. The models available in the ULYS Modena range are upgradable to meet all marking requirements. Designed for low-volume production requirements, the basic ULYS 110 unit can be adapted to achieve the unrivalled productivity levels offered by the ULYS 990 equipped with two lasers. The MRO 200 was developed to meet the specific requirements of aircraft maintenance, modification and repair centers. The Ulys Modena and MRO 200 are computer-controlled and fully automated, making them easy to use and guaranteeing a high level of productivity while limiting production costs.

LASELEC has also designed a sample tester (MT 200) to verify the UV markability of cable and wire types currently under development and to carry out periodic inspections during production. The new EN 4650 standard underlines the manufacturer’s responsibility for the composition of wires and various characteristics which must remain unchanged after undergoing laser marking. More than ever before, the MT 200 is emerging as a vital tool for verifying contrast level after UV laser marking. The COMET system completes the MT 200, offering the ability to check the contrast of the markings on the cable. Its software performs a real-time analysis of data obtained from a digital camera and a dual fiber-optics sample lighting system.

Laselec worldwide:
Laselec cable and wire marking equipment is widely used by major aircraft manufacturers including: Agusta Westland, AIRBUS, BAE Systems, Bell Helicopter, BOEING, Bombardier Aerospace, Cessna Aircraft, Changhe Aircraft, EADS, Embraer, Eurocopter, Gulfstream Aerospace, HAL, Hawker Beechcraft, Honda Aircraft, I.A.I., MD Helicopters, MIG, Sikorsky Global Helicopters, Shanghai Aircraft and Tusas Aerospace. With more than 80% of its turnover generated internationally, Laselec is focusing extensively on Asia and the North American continent in 2011.

Well established in North America, the company provides its clients with high-quality products and customer service from its main facilities near Dallas, Texas, and its customer support office based in Queretaro, Mexico. Laselec has also made a successful entry into the Brazilian market with a growing customer base.  Laselec’s American team will be exhibiting at four trade shows this year.

Web: www.laselec.com