Sound absorbing panels are used to reduce or eliminate  noise in a specific environment. They are usually used in spaces where acoustic is extremely important such as auditoriums, cinemas, concert halls, etc.

Traditionally these panels are made out of porous material. The most commonly used materials are rock wool, fabric or felt. The working principle is very simple: the porous conformation of these materials accelerates the transformation of sound wave energy into heat. The result is the deadening of sound.

Those types of sound absorbing panels are quite inexpensive but they do present some disadvantages. They can easily get worn and start shedding fibres and other particles. That’s why these kinds of materials aren’t the best for spaces where aesthetics are essential.

In the last years, to get around this problem, an alternative to porous materials has become popular: laser micro-perforated sound absorbing panels.

Laser micro-perforation for sound deadening

Micro-perforated sound absorbing panels can be made from different materials. Wood and plastic are ideal soundproofing materials and therefore some of the most frequently used. Typically, a sound absorbing panel has around a 100,000 perforations per square meter. They are microscopic holes with a dimension of a few millimetres.

The sound absorbing panels work according to a physics concept called the Helmholtz Resonance which makes it possible to efficiently reduce sound waves. Every perforation on the panel can be considered a microscopic Helmholtz resonator.

The main advantage of micro-perforated sound absorbing panels made with laser technology is that the acoustic requirements can be designed specifically to deaden a particular sound frequency. A sound absorbing panel in a concert hall will have to dim different sound frequencies compared to one in the automotive industry that has to deal with the noise of loud engines.

The parameters that determine which frequencies will be absorbed by the panel are the diameter and depth of the perforation as well as their density on the surface of the panel. Shallower holes will absorb higher frequencies while deeper holes absorb lower ones. By determining the relation between the dimension of the perforations and the frequency absorbed, it is possible to design panels perfectly calibrated to deaden specific frequencies.

The CO2 laser is an optimal tool for the production of these panels. The parameters to follow, according to the type of panel required, can be produced with extreme precision thanks to computerised programming. The laser is able to make neat and precise perforation without any imperfections thanks to the elevated power channeled towards the surface of the material. This mechanism instantly causes a thin layer of the surface to vaporise.

The speed of production depends on the number of perforations and their dimensions. The parameters to consider are the distance between the perforations that are either in horizontal or vertical line formations, and the number of lines to be made. These parameters will then determine the density of perforations on the panel. Smaller holes in tight formation will take more time to produce. On average, a sound absorbing panel takes around 10 to 15 minutes to produce.

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The fashion, decoration, and design sectors are generally very competitive. They require a continuous stream of products and models to be offered to the public. There is a constant search for new and original design which is capable of characterizing the designer, while at the same time being in the interest of the public. In fields like design, innovation mainly relies on the imagination of designers.

That is why introducing the CO2 laser as a decoration tool has been greeted with enthusiasm by the decoration industry. The laser allows remarkable flexibility and allows to overcome any limitation imposed by traditional decorative production processes. Especially in the ceramic tile industry the laser technology process has proved to be a great ressource. The introduction of the laser has allowed producers to deeply innovate the production processes, but has also allowed them to give space to the creativity of designers. Laser technology allows to reach quality standards that were previously unattainable, while at the same time saving ressources.

The CO2 laser decoration process of tiles is based on the removal of a superficial layer of the material. The system consists of 3 basic components:

• A CO2 laser source
• A scanning head
• Control software

The laser allows you to improve the quality of machining significantly. Thanks to the laser control software it is possible to obtain a level of control and detail on ceramic tiles surface which previously was deemed impossible using traditional decorative processes. Here are the main features of machining:

• Well-defined lines: The laser allows to obtain perfectly defined lines on the ceramics, unlike conventional mechanical methods.
• Very narrow angles: the tolerances made possible by lasers are very high. This means that even very complex designs can be easily realized.
• Almost photographic quality: By adjusting the laser parameters appropriately, such as power and speed, you can get a wide range of shades making the image surface almost photographic.

Another advantage of a laser based system is its versatility that made it possible to experiment and propose new prototypes very quickly. Manufacturing gets very easy thanks to laser technologies, a tool always at the forefront of innovation in design.

The change in consumer behavior has augmented the demand for ready-to-use food. This, in turn, has resulted in the demand for different packaging types. The food technology industry has developed along and adapted in concordance with these behavioral changes, offering increasingly advanced food packaging. Consumers no longer want to be confined to plastic bags or containers, but want packaging types that are practical in use, easy to open, and that don’t require the use of additional tools. On top of this, consumers demand packaging types that do not sacrifice the freshness of food, which is a current priority to the ever-demanding consumer of today. The shift in the packaging industry is easily visible by solely walking around in the local supermarket. From ready-to-use salad to instant noodles, packaging has changed. All of this has resulted in the need to make customized packaging.

The challenges of packaging are not trivial. Traditional methods of processing and finishing of cellulose and flexible packaging are less practical in today’s market. The market has shifted from a time where general packaging suited each product, to a market where each product requires its particular packaging type. Due to this shift, traditional packaging processes have become disadvantaged. Traditional packaging involves mechanical machining; tools for cutting, engraving, and imprinting are used for mass production. Due to this, the packaging quantity has to be augmented in order to cover costs. This traditional packaging process limits flexibility and adaptivity, solely serving the mass packaging market.

Today, however, the market is much more segmented and demanding. The winning producer is the one who is able to best adapt to consumer demands and provide real added value to their products. This is a real change of paradigm, made possible by the establishment of digital production processes.

The laser is the protagonist of this change. Laser Technologies have been established in recent years as an indispensable instrument in the processing industry of cellulose and plastic packaging. Agile, accurate, and reliable, the laser is a non-contact process that is based on software control to achieve maximum precision in machining.

Laser technology is incredibly versatile: not only provides it the possibility to perform work in a more efficient way, it also makes it possible to perform tasks that were not previously possible with traditional machining. The laser allows you to personalize packaging in any way preferred. These technologies have opened up new possibilities in the packaging world.

Let’s have a look at some of the possibilities offered by the laser.

Laser engraving

Laser engraving consists of engraving a layer of plastic material. This technique is ideal for making packaging with an “easy opening”. Easy opening bags are those where the opening is engraved: the consumer only has to pull slightly in order to open the packaging material. This processing would be very difficult to obtain and costly with traditional methods. Thanks to the laser control software it is possible to accurately set the laser parameters to obtain the desired cut depth.

Laser micro perforation

Laser micro perforation involves drilling micro holes in the plastic film. Micro perforation is used in food packaging utilizing controlled atmospheres. Laser micro perforation allows you to obtain holes of any desired size, thus enabling modified atmosphere packaging. The holes are perforated precisely in the preferred size, to ensure correct gas exchange between the inside and outside environment of the packaging, thus extending the durability and freshness of these products. Traditional methods of micro-perforation did not allow this process to be controlled accurately. Thanks to the laser, modified atmosphere packaging has been made possible, guaranteeing an expanded and improved product-lifespan.

Laser cut

Laser cutting is used to cut plastic materials from side to side. The laser cut is suitable for creating very precise details, even when cutting on small surfaces. Holes for filtering, plastic containers with special shapes or openings can be made easily and quickly thanks to laser cutting. Traditional cutting tools do not allow these complex or high precision cuts.

A flexible and easy-to-integrate tool

Laser features have revolutionized the way in which packaging is understood. Thanks to the laser, it is possible to adhere perfectly to customer requirements, providing products with real added value. These characteristics enable producers to tackle the most recent challenges in the industry.

All of this can be reached using minimum effort: to install Laser System El.En. it is not necessary to revolutionize existing lines. Our CO2 laser is compact and easily modulated for all your needs. The laser can be easily inserted into systems and adapted to the existing features. No mechanical system can ever be as fast as the laser. As a matter of fact, inserting a laser into a production line avoids bottlenecks that are often represented during the finishing process.