Mark presence
Confirm that the complete laser-marked field exists in the expected product area.
Laser-code inspection
Verify permanent laser marks on challenging packaging
Use controlled illumination and machine vision to inspect low-contrast laser dates, batch details and lot codes across reflective, curved and textured surfaces.
Reveal marks that are difficult to image
Purpose-built vision inspection
The right lighting makes the permanent code inspectable
Laser marking changes the substrate rather than applying ink. Contrast can therefore depend heavily on material, colour, surface finish and viewing angle. Oxford Vision Systems trials optical arrangements that reveal the mark consistently without being distracted by pack texture or reflections.
Character verification
Read or compare dates, batches and lot strings using OCR or OCV tools.
Contrast control
Distinguish shallow, pale or surface-dependent marks from the surrounding material.
Position check
Detect a displaced code that falls outside the approved marked zone.
System outcomes
Confident inspection of permanent variable marking
A sample-led optical trial determines whether the code can be captured reliably across the real material, product position and permitted production variation.
Manage reflections
Use lighting geometry, exposure and polarisation to reduce glare from glossy surfaces.
Verify content
Confirm the permanent mark contains the date or traceability string required for the job.
Detect poor marking
Identify faint, incomplete or misplaced laser codes before downstream packing.
Application engineering
Trial the full range of materials and finishes
A successful setup must work across approved material batches, moulding variation and product orientation. We assess the weakest legitimate mark as well as known defects before fixing the inspection threshold.
- Glass, plastic, coated board and foil
- Matt, gloss and textured finishes
- Embossed or low-contrast marks
- Changing product colour and orientation
Related inspection systems
Build a complete code-control point
Combine the inspection with complementary print, data or reject checks where they reduce the risk of a non-conforming pack reaching the customer.
Frequently asked questions
Laser-code inspection questions
Every inspection begins with real samples, representative print and the operating conditions found on your production line.
Can very low-contrast laser codes be inspected?
Often, but the result depends on the material and the physical change created by the laser. Trials may use directional, diffuse, dark-field or polarised lighting to reveal the mark.
Can the system inspect laser marks on glass bottles?
Potentially, yes. Bottle curvature, transparency, contents, surface reflections and rotational position all influence the optical design and must be represented in the trial.
Can it tell whether the laser settings are deteriorating?
A vision system can measure visible characteristics such as contrast, completeness and character shape. It does not directly measure laser power, but it can identify the resulting mark degradation.
Oxford Vision Systems
Make your permanent mark reliably visible to machine vision
Provide representative materials, the lightest acceptable mark and known failures. We will evaluate the optical approach before integration.
Continue planning