With these requirements, Hailer went in search of lasers that would deliver precisely the desired results with the necessary light intensity and for any preferred material. He found none. Instead, he found a partner in TRUMPF whose marking lasers have very low scattering and who accepted the challenge of finding a solution for the rest of his needs.

One part of the solution involved two technical modifications. First, an auto cor-rection function is included in the software of each Endress+Hauser marking laser. It ensures that the selected electrical output actually generates the theo-retically expected light intensity. Second, the focus point is adjustable in these marking stations — an unusual feature. The beam can be purposely defocused and the actual energy input thereby precisely controlled via a second parameter. The second part of the solution includes a compromise: Essentially, the first stop for each new marking laser for Endress + Hauser is Nesselwang. There, it re-ceives its "factory calibration" set. The result supplements the correction software and describes the behavior of the pump diodes as well as the materials used. This step takes only a few hours. Afterwards, the new marking laser will be able to be readjusted online.

The results are impressive. Whether a laser flashes over a component in seconds flat in Nesselwang, Suzhou or in Greenwood — the results look completely identical. "TRUMPF confirmed that we are probably the only company right now that is making such an effort when it comes to laser calibration," says Hailer. "It is actually astounding," he explains, "because the alternative is for each factory to employ specialists who manually adapt the laser output. The bottom line is that it is less precise and more expensive."