A laser marking system for marking a predetermined pattern on a workpiece may include a first light source structured to emit first light at a first wavelength; a second light source structured to emit second light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength and selected to mark a marking surface of the workpiece; beam shaping optics structured to adjust a focal length of the second light; beam steering optics structured to aim the first laser light and the second laser light; a controller configured to control the first light source to emit the first light at the marking surface of the workpiece and control the beam steering optics to aim the second light so as to mark the marking surface of the workpiece and create the first predetermined pattern; and a camera structured to detect first light reflected from the marking surface and record an image.

A method of weeding a design in a substrate have a first layer and a second layer is disclosed. The method determines an outline of the design and an inlet portion of the outline. The inlet portion is defined on at least a first and second side by the outline of the design and is open on at least a third side. The method cuts through the first layer but not the second layer along at least a portion of the outline that is not included in the inlet portion. The method also cuts through both the first and second layers along the inlet portion of the outline. The method also cuts through both the first and second layers along a path that closes the third side of the inlet portion.

A method of making a customized item from a single piece of quartz, the method comprising the steps of providing a piece of quartz of sufficient size and shape to form the item, carving the item out of the single piece of quartz into a desired shape, etching information into the item and applying a coating to the information after the step of etching the information to form the customized item. A customized item is also provided comprising a body formed of a single piece of quartz, the body shaped into a configuration simulating a home or a sports object, and including personalized information etched into the quartz and a coating over the personalized information to enhance visibility.

A laser marking system comprises a laser, an image capture device, a marking head including electromagnetic energy deflectors and at least one lens, a beam path of the laser and a beam path of the image capture device both passing through the at least one lens, and a computer system operable to perform a method comprising capturing image tiles at each of multiple different locations with the image capture device, stitching the image tiles to produce a composite image of the marking field, identifying a location and orientation of an image of a workpiece within the composite image of the marking field, determining a location and orientation of a mark to be applied to the workpiece based on the location and orientation of the image of the workpiece within the composite image of the marking field, and applying the mark to the workpiece with the laser.

Medical devices comprise a polymeric body comprising: a base polymeric formulation comprising at least a polymer or co-polymer of propylene; and an additive comprising a copolymer having a polypropylene backbone and hybrid micromolecule side-chains based on organo-functional silanes (PP-g-XSiOA) in the presence of a co-agent, for example, difunctional metallic diacrylate monomers, where X is an organic group or an organo-functional group, and A is a metal, an inorganic oxide, an inorganic hydroxide, or any other inorganic material. X may be derived from a compound selected from the group consisting of epoxy, amino, acrylate, methacryloxy, and vinyl; and A is selected from the group consisting of: silicon, (Si), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), tin (Sn); oxides thereof; hydroxides thereof; and mixtures of the foregoing. Optionally, inorganic fillers may be included. The medical devices are laser markable.

A method of manufacturing a metal product includes forming a first identification code onto a surface of a metal member with a laser beam, the first identification code being readable under a first reading condition, and heating the metal member on which the identification code is formed. The method further includes reading the first identification code with a reading device, and forming a second identification code onto the surface of the metal member subsequent to the heating with a laser beam based on the first identification code which is read with the reading device. The second identification code is readable under a second reading condition different from the first reading condition.

In some embodiments, a processing system and a method for operating the processing system may include at least one processing area, one control area, one input area and optionally one receiving area and/or one presentation area. Via an input and/or display element, a user can enter a text and/or graphics in an operating software installed therein, which can be passed to a control software running in the control area. Into the input area and/or the control area a database is integrated, in which the data of the blanks or workpieces to be processed are stored.

Systems and methods for providing gaps in article or package processing. In some embodiments, the system can include a conveying path along which a first advanced article and a second advanced article can be advanced. The system can further include a first stop location and a second stop location. The first stop location can include movable fingers that are configured to raise to stop the advance of the articles and then lower at specific times to allow the articles to advance with specific distances between the articles. Additionally, the system can include a paddle that also raises and lowers. The paddle lowers to stop an advancing article again, and in doing so, front-end registers the article. Then the paddle can raise to allow the package to advance again along the conveyor.

Medical devices comprise a polymeric body comprising: a base polymeric formulation comprising at least a polymer or co-polymer of propylene; and an additive comprising a copolymer having a polypropylene backbone and hybrid micromolecule side-chains based on organo-functional silanes (PP-g-XSiOA) in the presence of a co-agent, for example, difunctional metallic diacrylate monomers, where X is an organic group or an organo-functional group, and A is a metal, an inorganic oxide, an inorganic hydroxide, or any other inorganic material. X may be derived from a compound selected from the group consisting of epoxy, amino, acrylate, methacryloxy, and vinyl; and A is selected from the group consisting of: silicon, (Si), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), tin (Sn); oxides thereof; hydroxides thereof; and mixtures of the foregoing. Optionally, inorganic fillers may be included. The medical devices are laser markable.

A method of manufacturing a metal product includes forming a first identification code onto a surface of a metal member with a laser beam, the first identification code being readable under a first reading condition, and heating the metal member on which the identification code is formed. The method further includes reading the first identification code with a reading device, and forming a second identification code onto the surface of the metal member subsequent to the heating with a laser beam based on the first identification code which is read with the reading device. The second identification code is readable under a second reading condition different from the first reading condition.