ATN Hölzel GmbH Relies on Trotec VIN Marker for Laser Engraving

What made Trotec Laser the ideal partner for VIN engraving and your project goals?

In Trotec, we have found a partner who is a technological leader in VIN laser engraving and perfectly complements our equipment. We have already completed several projects together, and Trotec has proven that the VIN Marker and Trotec's service meet the high demands of this industry.

How does laser engraving deliver superior results and reliability compared to conventional methods for modern high-strength materials?

Nowadays, we are dealing with a wide variety of materials: high-strength steels, soft steels, aluminum, alloys—in other words, a broad range of materials. Laser cutting definitely has significant advantages here. Mechanical processing cannot handle high-strength steels without failure, and soft steels or lightweight materials are sensitive to this compression. Lasers do not have these problems thanks to their contactless processing.

In light of the changes taking place in the automotive industry, what are the clear advantages of using laser technology for marking vehicle identification numbers (VIN) instead of outdated engraving methods? 

 The automotive industry is undergoing a technological transformation. For years, demand has been growing for precise automated laser processes, especially for vehicle identification numbers. On the one hand, it has been recognized how prone to defects and wear engraving is in comparison to non-contact laser technology. However, one of the main reasons is that, for economic reasons, many OEMs no longer produce just one model series in their line, but manufacture a mix of models.

Can you describe the flexibility and operational independence of the Trotec VIN marking solution within your production cycle? 

The VIN Marker has made us pretty independent. We can laser mark different positions on the car bodies and still maintain a consistent cycle time. What used to be difficult to implement is now easy and flexible with the laser.

What recent advances, such as improvements in safety and efficiency, have made Trotec's laser solutions the first choice for industrial VIN marking?

Laser technology has been established in industrial applications for over 40 years, but only modern systems with a special focus on the application, such as the Trotec VIN Marker, enable flexible integration into production lines. In the past, laser application in flow technology was quite complex. There were huge laser safety and exhaust air cabinets. With the latest generation of Trotec VIN Markers with the Safetycone, all of that has been eliminated. The Trotec laser equipment is really compact and modular in design. The intelligent exhaust air guidance saves us additional construction and handling costs and our customers additional costs and less effort. As integrators and automation specialists, we can really use the VIN Marker in all kinds of ways, and that's what we really like about the Trotec solution.

 

How does Trotec's expert service and support team contribute to the successful and reliable operation of your international laser systems? 

We often provide service directly on site for our international customers. However, in special cases we need expert support. As already mentioned, Trotec Laser has proven to be absolutely competent and reliable in the field of VIN laser technology and laser applications in the automotive industry.

Do you have any expansion plans for the use of Trotec laser systems in technological or geographical terms?

We were impressed by the overall performance of the laser equipment and Trotec Laser. The collaboration is professional and reliable. The laser systems are modular and can be flexibly integrated into ATN systems. We want to expand the cooperation, both technologically and geographically, across different industries. The demand is there, and we are ready!