1.
GV: laser labelling department.
0.03

2.
MV: screen and key board of labelling machine PAN TO parcel moved into position.
0.14

3.
MV: laser beam writing out address on parcel.
0.32

4.
MV: parcel moves along conveyor belt to next labelling machine. (2 shots)
0.50

5.
CU: another box being marked by laser labeller.
1.00

6.
MV: parcel moves to down conveyor belt
1.09


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The system will undergo extensive tests before it is decided whether it will be used at any other Defence Logistics Agencies.




Initials RH/DE/DK/2006



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The United States government's Defence Logistic Agency has developed a laser system which may revolutionise package labelling. It dramatically increases the speed, efficiency and accuracy of marking packaged material for shipping.

SYNOPSIS: This system was developed in Ogden, Utah. It uses a high-powered, pulsed laser beam which is controlled by a micro-computer. It eliminates several human steps and accomplishes the work 20 times faster than old hand-marking methods.

The beam of the laser is invisible to the eye, but as it hits the surface, a visible plume of flame flares. As that subsides, the lettering appears.

The penetration of the laser beam can be controlled. Only a superficial penetration is necessary for packages and the researchers have proved markings can be burned directly in to coated metal surfaces, merely by increasing the laser beam pulse.

When containers arrive to go through the system, all the necessary information, including the sender and destination, is automatically transferred from a central processing unit computer to the micro-computer controlling the system. The laser beam is operated from there.