Smooth, safe door movement for laser marking systems from Östling

Laser marking systems require precise movement and reliable safety—especially when access doors must open easily while preventing laser light from escaping. For its compact AIOBox laser marking system, Östling turned to igus® drylin® NT-35 telescopic rails to guide the door smoothly and securely. Combined with a counterweight and cable system, the rails allow the door to remain exactly where the operator positions it while maintaining a tight seal with the housing. The compact, lubrication-free design provides reliable linear motion without adding unnecessary components or installation space.

Profile:

What was needed: drylin® NT-35 telescopic rails for opening and closing the door
Requirements: Smooth running, sealing linear guide so that no laser can escape
Industry: Laser marking
Success for the customer: The door remains exactly where the operator wants it because it is connected to a counterweight via a cable system, which also moves along the back of the housing in igus® linear guides.

Application Pictures

Problem

With the "All-In-One" (AIO) systems, the laser head and rack have been combined in one housing for the first time in the smallest of spaces. With the "LaseBox", Östling has also had an extremely compact tabletop system for laser marking in its product range for several years. The special requirements here arise, among other things, from the safety regulations for laser systems: The laser beam must never penetrate to the outside.

New: The AIOBox
Brand new to the Östling product range is the AIOBox as an "entry level" device for laser marking. It is even more compact than the LaseBox and more cost-effective. The door is opened and closed manually. However, the safety level remains high: A shutter light indicates that the device is ready. If the operator opens the door by even just a chink, the laser is deactivated immediately. This complies with laser protection class 1: The appliance is always in a safe state for the operator.

Solution

Maurizio Sciascia, design engineer at Östling, found an elegant solution for conveniently opening and closing the door, which provides good access to the work area from three sides. The door is guided in two vertically mounted telescopic rails from igus®. The door remains exactly where the operator wants it because it is connected via a cable system to a counterweight that also runs in drylin® telescopic rails at the rear of the housing.

The result is very smooth movement and pleasantly easy operation, additionally offering a cost-effective solution. The components used are part of the igus® standard range of low-profile guide systems. As with all igus® bearings, no lubrication such as oils or grease is required. A tight seal between the door and housing is guaranteed - this is crucial for laser applications - the telescopic rail leaves no gap through which the laser beam could escape. This means that no separate seal is required. Maurizio Sciascia: "Another advantage is that the aluminum rail only requires a very limited installation space and still allows the door to be opened completely." Aesthetically, the drylin® NT-35 telescopic rails are also impressive, with the base plate of the AIOBox also made of aluminum.