A Carbon Dioxide Laser Marking Machine for corrugated cartons makes use of a focused infrared laser beam to vaporize the surface area layer of the cardboard, creating a high-contrast, irreversible mark for item information like logos, barcodes, and set numbers without using inks or consumables.
Why CO2 laser and corrugate play nice
CO2 couples well with paper-based liners. Kraft, white top, recycled blends—when the face stock is “laser-receptive,” the beam darkens or ablates the top layer. You get high contrast, sharp edges, and stable barcodes. It’s non-contact. No printhead crash. No wipe-offs. And your maintenance list shrinks.
If your packaging runs with variable data—batch, MHD/EXP, lot, SSCC, GS1-128—the laser does it on the fly. The mark isn’t a sticker that can peel. It’s part of the box now. That’s traceability that holds up from line to last-mile.
What usually goes wrong on the line (and how to fix fast)
Low contrast on dark kraft.
Try a lighter top liner, or specify a laser-receptive varnish from your carton supplier. Slight defocus (positive offset) can widen the stroke, which sometimes helps perceived darkness.Dust plumes fogging the scan head.
Add fume extraction with the right capture hood, keep air assist gentle, and consider an air knife across the beam output window. Put the lens wipe on a weekly PM. Don’t overdo the air; too much flow makes turbulence and jitter.Barcode grades are inconsistent.
Use an encoder on the carton conveyor. Trigger from a through-beam just upstream, then compensate with offset in the HMI. If you can, tie into the PLC for hard I/O handshakes. The laser fires when the box is actually in the mark window, not when the line “thinks” it is.Warped boxes or squishy flutes.
Give the carton a stable datum with side belts or a short guide rail segment before marking. Keep the working distance steady; CO2 depth of focus isn’t infinite. A tiny Z-shim on the mount goes a long way.Glare on coated white top.
Turn the power down and scan faster. You want a contrast shift, not a burn trench. UV lasers can help on glossy coatings.
Material and contrast: face stock matters
Three quick rules:
Color: lighter liners show dark marks better.
Finish: matte or “open” finishes absorb energy more evenly; heavy gloss reflects.
Coatings: ask the carton vendor about laser-receptive options. They’re real. They work.
When the substrate is stubborn, you can bump contrast by adjusting spot size (slight defocus), scan speed, and hatch density. Keep it simple: one variable at a time, log the before/after with barcode grades.
Speed and integration: make the PLC do the heavy lifting
A CO2 system loves a stable timing chain:
Encoder feedback tied to the conveyor.
A repeatable product detect (photoeye) before the mark window.
A small buffer in the HMI for data (lot, SSCC, timestamps) so the code lands on the right box.
If you use camera verification, kick out fails with a reject cylinder or a diverter gate.
Use cases
E-commerce DC re-pack
Random-size cartons, fast line, scan at outfeed. The laser rides above a short side-belt section, encoder attached, camera verifies. For this kind of corrugate work, start with Mașină de marcat cu laser CO2.
- Food secondary boxes
Shelf-life codes and batch on white-top corrugate. Low power, quick scan, steady contrast. If you ever switch to glossy coatings and see glare, hop to Mașină de marcat cu laser UV for crisper contrast on tricky liners.
- Dusty line, big cases
Heavy cartons throw dust; keep extraction close to the mark zone, add an air knife to protect the output window. When you need a compact footprint for a side station or test cell, park a Mini Cabinet Laser Marcare mașină there. It’s small, stable, easy to fence.
CO2 laser vs. inkjet vs. labeler
| Factor | CO2 Laser on Corrugate | Large-char Inkjet / TIJ | Print-and-Apply Labeler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code durability | Surface change; hard to rub off | Ink sits on top; can smear | Label depends on adhesive; can peel |
| Cleanliness | No ink; fume extraction needed | Inks/solvents; purges, wipes | Label liner waste; clean print |
| Întreținere | Optics clean, filters, basic PM | Nozzles, fluids, purges | Labels, ribbons, webbing |
| Barcode clarity | Sharp strokes, good edge | Resolution varies by nozzle | High; on-label print quality |
| Line speed fit | High, encoder-sync friendly | High; depends on head | Mechanical limits of tamp/apply |
| Consumabile | None (no ink/label) | Ink, make-up | Labels, ribbons |
| Sustainability | Lower VOCs; fewer disposables | VOC handling needed | Liner waste management |
Setup checklist you can hand to maintenance
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting & datum | Add short side-belt or rails | Keeps distance steady; reduces skew |
| Trigger & timing | Photoeye + encoder + offset | Pixel lands where you intend |
| Focus & test grid | Run a small focus sweep | Pick the sharpest/ darkest combo |
| Fume extraction | Hood close to mark zone | Clear lens, clear lungs, stable codes |
| Verification | Camera grades downstream | Early catch, no pallet full of fails |
| PM rhythm | Weekly lens wipe, filter checks | Consistent contrast, less downtime |
How BOGONG fits: practical, global, factory-ready
BOGONG LASER® builds and ships laser systems across 160+ countries, serving global B2B users in packaging, metalwork, electronics, signage, wood, and more. We’re a Laser Marking Machine Manufacturer with CE, ISO9001, SGS, and FDA credentials, and we do OEM/ODM when you need it. If you need a Laser Marking Machine Factory vibe—fast quoting, real after-sales, multilingual support—we live there.
Wrap-up: why CO2 laser is a solid bet for cartons
You want codes that survive bumps, stay readable in the DC, and don’t add wet chemistry to your floor. A CO2 Laser Marking Machine gives you permanent marks, clean operation, and fewer consumables. Tie it into your PLC, keep the lens clean, size your extraction right, and it just works. If your corrugate is glossy or tricky, UV is your friend; metals need fiber. Simple as that, really.
If you are interested in our machinec, please fill out the BOGONG contact form and we’ll get back quick.
