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EP0085484A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Improvements in or relating to in-mill marking of metal products

Assignee: British Steel Corp
•
Filing: 1983-01-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-01-11
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a method of marking a metal product comprising the steps of producing a laser capable of visibly thermally affecting the surface of the product concerned, directing the laser at the product and controlling the operation and direction of the laser to apply thereby a required marking to the surface of the product.

Inventors

  • 👤 William David Nicholas Pritchard
  • 👤 Brian Edward Smith

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 11:45
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/18; B44; B44B; B44B7/00; B44B7/005; B44B7/007; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/007

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 52 words
A method of marking a metal product comprising the steps of producing a laser capable of visibly thermally affecting the surface of the product concerned, directing the laser at the product and controlling the operation and direction of the laser to apply thereby a required marking to the surface of the product.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 52 words
A method of marking a metal product comprising the steps of producing a laser capable of visibly thermally affecting the surface of the product concerned, directing the laser at the product and controlling the operation and direction of the laser to apply thereby a required marking to the surface of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the product is provided with a coloured surface coating prior to laser marking.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the coating is provided with a heat resistant paint.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 33 words
A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the laser and its operation are arranged such as to vaporise metal from the product surface to produce a visible mark.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 22 words
A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the operation of the laser during marking is computer controlled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
Apparatus for marking a metal product comprising a laser device and control means for operating the device such as to enable the laser to be directed towards and thermally mark the product in a required manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 36 words
Apparatus for marking a metal product comprising a laser device and control means for operating the device such as to enable the laser to be directed towards and thermally mark the product in a required manner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 15 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein operation of the laser device is by computer
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 wherein auto-focussing means are provided for focussing the laser on the surface of the product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claims 6,7 or 8 including means for applying a coloured coating to the surface of the product prior to laser marking.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 23 words
A method of marking a metal product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 23 words
A method of marking a metal product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus for marking a metal product substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus for marking a metal product substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3920951A Cited
DE2726454B2 Cited
DE3014361A1 Cited

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