[Success story] Fischer: Enhanced industrial automotive marking
Fischer x Gravotech
A leading automotive supplier meets a leader in marking solutions
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Fischer is a leading automotive supplier. They’re renowned for producing highly corrosion-resistant tubing — their core product —, automotive components, and subassemblies. Their products, which include robust manifold components, complex car frame parts or battery enclosures, allow Fischer Automotive’s clients to produce safe and efficient vehicles. |
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| Company launch | 1986 |
| HQ | Achern-Fautenbach, Germany |
| Subsidiaries around the world | +50 |
| Gravotech machines in use today | Fiber laser F20 with Mini-inline |
| Collaborating with Gravotech since | End of 2022 |
Fischer works according to three core principles:
- Innovation — they prioritize continuous improvement
- Accountability — they recognize and take into account the direct impact of their product development on key players in various industries
- Reliability — they ensure their products are in compliance with the standards of their clients’ industries
The fruits of these commitments are solutions designed to exceed industry standards and deliver reliable, long-lasting performance.
The company’s pursuit of excellence has been recognized with more than 10 awards for innovation. Today, millions of vehicles benefit from Fischer Automotive components.
Embracing the shift to electric vehicles
Though they’ve traditionally focused on manufacturing components for combustion-powered vehicles, throughout the last two years, Fischer Automotive has turned some of its attention to investing in new technologies.
As a result, they’ve introduced a new aluminum hot forming production line — a significant leap for the lightweight automotive parts industry, aligned with the current transition to electric vehicles.
Fischer's challenge
Improving component traceability with direct part marking
Meeting traceability requirements
At Fischer Automotive, the challenge lay in implementing direct part marking for new components, particularly in aluminum hot forming processes.
Each hot-formed aluminum component needed a unique serial number for traceability, enabling Fischer to effectively monitor material origin and production history.
Facing a similar challenge?
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“Labeling is a crucial aspect of our core business of pipe manufacturing. While inkjet technology served us well in the past, it fell short when we moved into aluminum hot forming.”
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Readability constraints
Initially considering dot-peen marking technology, Fischer discovered market and customer dissatisfaction due its marking quality and readability constraints. While customers preferred the use of Datamatrix codes for their readability and data capacity, it was quickly brought up that these 2D codes were hard to validate and read when marked with a dot-peen machine.
Indeed, dot-peen does not create contrasted markings, hence requiring specific lighting and precise camera positioning for the code to be accurately read and validated.
In response to this feedback, Fischer selected laser technology for a more efficient implementation and an easier-to-read marking result.
Facing a similar challenge?
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“Labeling is a crucial aspect of our core business of pipe manufacturing. While inkjet technology served us well in the past, it fell short when we moved into aluminum hot forming.”
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Addressing space and safety concerns
Limited space on the production line posed a challenge for accommodating marking operations, which usually requires a large enclosure.
Finding a compact, safe, and easy-to-install solution was paramount, especially since employee safety during marking was a concern.
In addition, integrating the laser directly into the production line meant meeting stringent safety standards for operation in an open environment.
Facing a similar challenge?
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“Labeling is a crucial aspect of our core business of pipe manufacturing. While inkjet technology served us well in the past, it fell short when we moved into aluminum hot forming.”
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The solution: integrable Fiber laser technology for direct part marking
To meet the diverse needs of its customers, Fischer turned to Gravotech to find a technology able to mark various shapes and customize products quickly.
Rising to the challenge of industrial marking
Fiber Laser
Designed for durability in harsh industrial environments, the Fiber laser features a cast aluminum structure and high-quality optical components.
Its laser source allows quick permanent marking of nearly every metal, from the softest to the hardest one.
Installation is a breeze, as this product simplifies the laser integration process in any mounting position.
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“This solution delivers all the benefits we were looking for. It provides fast, high-quality marking and allows us to replicate graphics such as Datamatrix with exceptional legibility on components.”
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Ensuring all around quality and safety
Mini-Inline
The Mini-Inline is a high-quality protection nose for integrable laser markers. Equipped with an integrated camera system, it provides exceptional quality control, ensuring nearly 100% accuracy on every inscription and reducing manual quality control time.
Additional advantages include:
- seamless integration into complex environments.
- uncompromised safety, with advanced measures like laser beam isolation and sensors to ensure the part and Mini-inline are in position — this provides utmost safety for operators and their workspace.
- cost-effectiveness, with a lower price point compared to Class 1 laser protection housing and no pre-study to pay for before the installation.
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“This solution delivers all the benefits we were looking for. It provides fast, high-quality marking and allows us to replicate graphics such as Datamatrix with exceptional legibility on components.”
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Easy integration and streamlined operations
The Mini-Inline and Fiber laser system offer a user-friendly solution that eliminates the need for large safety areas to protect against laser radiation and particles during marking. It not only increases operator comfort and safety, but also optimizes workspace utilization because of its compact design.
Data exchange process
The data exchange between the laser marking machine and the plant control software takes place seamlessly through the following steps:
- The data to be marked is received
- The marking validation is sent back to the PLC/plant software
- The camera reads the Datamatrix code and provides a pass/fail message
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“It quickly became clear that our laser with Mini-inline would be perfect for Fischer’s project. Their team was also very impressed by this concept, as it presented them with unimagined possibilities.” René Fix, Sales representative at Gravotech |
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Integration process at Fischer Automotive
Integrating the solution into the Fischer production line posed no challenges, thanks to the expertise of the Gravotech team. The latter swiftly removed technical issues and maintained smooth operation. This involved the following steps on Fischer’s end:
- Contacting the Gravotech team to discuss the requirements and challenges.
- Conducting thorough marking and labeling tests.
- Utilizing the free feasibility studies offered by Gravotech.
- Obtaining approval of marking samples from their customers.
- Implementing the finalized solution in the production line with Gravotech’s help.
The next chapter in the Fischer-Gravotech collaboration
As of today, they are planning to integrate the marking process earlier in the production line, enabling marking directly on raw materials or during the initial stages of production.
The current testing phase has yielded promising results, with the marking quality remaining consistently high, even after the product has been subjected to additional production processes.
Thanks to Gravotech's expertise and their ability to adopt simple, effective and innovative solutions, the challenges of marking parts at Fischer were met without wasting time or interrupting the production line.
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“When we contacted Gravotech, they immediately understood our problems and presented us with comprehensive proposals and solutions that we were thrilled with.” Marc Schweizer, Business Development Manager at Fischer Group |
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If your business is looking for similar support to overcome marking challenges, Gravotech is ready to assist you at every stage of your project.
The team is committed to providing customized solutions to meet your specific needs.
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