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Defence

Uncompromising precision: Laser marking for the most demanding defence applications.

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Defence

Laser marking is a critical technology in the defence industry, providing a highly precise and reliable method for marking and identifying components and equipment. The defence industry relies on laser marking for a variety of applications, including tracking and managing inventory, ensuring component traceability, and improving equipment performance. Laser marking is also essential for ensuring the safety and security of defence equipment, as it allows for the permanent and tamper-proof marking of critical components.

Furthermore, laser marking can be used for creating highly detailed and intricate designs on defence-related products, such as firearms and munitions. Overall, the use of laser marking is essential in the defence industry for maintaining safety, improving performance, and ensuring the reliability of critical defence equipment.

The Demands of the Defence Industry

The defence industry has high demands for laser engraving due to the critical nature of their products and equipment. One of the primary reasons is the need for precise and permanent marking of components and equipment, ensuring efficient tracking and maintenance. This is crucial in the defence industry, where safety and security are of utmost importance.

Laser engraving also allows for functional markings that can improve the performance of defence equipment, such as precision drilling in firearms for improved accuracy. The defence industry requires marking that is tamper-proof, ensuring that components are not replaced or modified in any way. It also often requires the use of specialised materials, and laser engraving provides a versatile solution for marking on a wide range of materials. Overall, the demands for laser engraving in the defence industry are expected to continue to grow as the industry evolves and expands, highlighting the importance of precise and permanent marking in defence applications.

The N-Lase Range

Meet our Industrial ID lasers

N-Lase Desktop

The N-Lase Desktop is our entry-level laser marking system for industrial identification applications, perfect for marking, etching, engraving and annealing all metals, coated metals, plastics and some organic materials.

The Desktop is the ideal solution for low to mid-volume throughput and is an affordable alternative to more traditional methods of marking, such as dot peen, electrochemical etching or hand marking. Despite being entry-level and affordable we haven’t sacrificed on quality or efficiency; our N-Lase Desktop comes with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours and a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Desktop Pro

The N-Lase Desktop Pro is the most popular laser in our N-Lase range. Designed for marking, etching, engraving and annealing almost all materials in mid to high-volume applications, the Desktop Pro is a full turnkey solution which includes an integrated All-in-One PC and an automatic door function to ensure maximum efficiency and simple operation.

The N-Lase Desktop Pro can be fitted with either our 20 Watt or 50 Watt MOPA fiber laser sources with a MTBF of 100,000 marking hours. Like all products within our N-Lase range the Desktop Pro comes with a 3-year comprehensive warranty, as standard.

N-Lase Benchtop

The N-Lase Benchtop is the ‘big cousin’ to the Desktop Pro. It has the same style and design but on a much larger scale, so maximum versatility for industries wishing to mark, etch and engrave big parts. As the name suggested, the Benchtop is designed to sit on a bench/worktop within existing manufacturing cells and processes.

Due to its larger footprint and modular design, the N-Lase Benchtop can offer a broad range of optional extras such as XY marking tables for increased throughput, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 watt up to 100 watt for maximum speed and depth.

With our 3-year comprehensive warranty, the N-Lase Benchtop is the ideal solution for the efficient and reliable etching of heavy-duty parts in industrial environments.

N-Lase Workstation

The N-Lase Workstation offers our biggest enclosure mounted onto a portable base to offer maximum flexibility. The Workstation can be located within an existing manufacturing process or operate as a standalone marking and traceability station. With an integrated PC and auto door function, the N-Lase Workstation is a truly turnkey solution; simply wheel into the desired location and start etching.

With such a large enclosure, the N-Lase Workstation can be fitted with a wide range of options to further increase efficiencies and offer maximum throughput. Options include XY marking tables to facilitate the loading of multiple parts, large marking area lenses (up to 280mm x 280mm), big rotary attachments for circumference marking on large diameter parts and power sources from 20 Watt up to 100 Watt for maximum speed and depth.

As with all our N-Lase range, maximum reliability and robustness is assured with our 3-year comprehensive warranty.

N-Lase Integrated

Designed for integration into production, manufacturing and assembly lines, our N-Lase Integrated models offer high reliability, speed and flexibility in a convenient form factor. A wide range of laser power outputs on our standard system allow marking on a diverse variety of substrates, whereas the Integrated Max is suitable for more powerful hungry applications and much larger laser modules. N-Lase Integrated systems are maintenance free and will provide you with years upon years of trouble-free operation

N-Lase Handheld

Laser without limits with the N-Lase Handheld. This model allows you to move the system to wherever (and whatever) needs to be marked. Ease and usability is at the forefront of the design, including a counterbalanced laser head to ensure safe movement and use. Whether it's a plaque on a wall or a plate on the floor, this model is ready for the challenge.

Marking UID's to Department of Defence Standards

Unique Identification (UID) is a Department of Defence (DoD) standardisation for traceability, accountability and identification of government asset acquisitions. Combining human-readable text, bar codes and data matrix codes creates a UID mark that can be tracked throughout the lifecycle of the items.

Direct Part Marking is the process of physically marking the laser, either on the material surface or by removing a surface coating e.g. paint, powder. You can mark either a label that is permanently attached to the item or the item itself. The UID marking process also applied to the Aerospace and Automotive industries as the reliance upon accountability and traceability for tamper-proof parts.

Using a laser to mark a UID on your part is an easy and quick way of creating a permanent mark that will withstand the toughest conditions. With our dedicated software, you will be able to achieve a UID that will conform to DEF STAN 05-13 simply by plugging your computer with the software into your laser. Our software is user-friendly and easy to use so that all levels within your business will be able to operate and mark the necessary parts with traceability from the various data allowing the end-user to track and identify what and where the item is. 

The Benefits

Laser engraving can be used to add security features to military equipment, such as unique serial numbers, barcodes, or QR codes, which can be scanned and tracked by the military. This enhances the overall safety and accountability of the equipment, making it easier to locate lost or stolen items.

Furthermore, laser engraving is a non-contact process, which reduces the risk of damaging delicate equipment during the marking process. It is also a fast and efficient process, which saves time and money for defence contractors.

Overall, laser engraving is a valuable technology for the defence industry, providing a range of benefits, including permanent and precise markings, enhanced security features, and increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

60+ years in industry

Heritage & market-leading knowledge

The Needham Group and its subsidiaries have been a part of the ever-developing coding and marking industry since 1962; identifying industry needs whilst simultaneously importing and developing exciting, practical and innovative products to suit.

Community-driven

Customer service at our core

Every day we share our passion and excitement for British manufacturing and innovation in laser technologies with each of our partners; from supplier and supply chain right through to end-user.

Short lead times

Delivery in weeks, not months

We design, develop and manufacture our lasers at our HQ in Shropshire; allowing for lean manufacturing, better efficiencies and speedy response times in our manufacturing, ultimately getting your products to you in weeks rather than months.

Made in Britain & Safety Regulations

We are proud to wear the Made in Britain badge, where all of our lasers are manufactured at our HQ in Shropshire. Combining over 60 years of company heritage with exquisite design and Great British engineering, we take great pride in our heritage and our commitment to producing quality products that represent the very best of British craftsmanship. Our loyal customers can be assured that when they choose us, they are investing in a product made with the utmost care and attention to detail.

The UK has the world's most rigorous regulatory requirements for laser safety.
We are proud to align our UK design and manufacturing with said regulations.
We are also certified members of AILU. - https://www.ailu.org.uk/

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