Mint & Print
High-Precision Laser Machines for Coins and Currency
ACSYS laser technology is setting new standards in the coin and printing industry, such as through our patented Pulse Forging® for laser polishing of surfaces without changing tools. This makes us the market leader in laser processing for mint and print. Renowned mints and printers worldwide rely on our unique combination of hardware, software and processes to realize innovative designs with the finest structures or non-copyable security features using laser technology.
3D Laser engraving
Precise 3D laser engraving is particularly suitable for intricate structures and engravings in molds, stamps, or embossing dies. 3D precision engraving with laser technology is particularly advantageous in the field of coin die production. This is particularly economical because several process steps are covered by the laser, such as engraving, frosting, and polishing with the help of ACSYS’ our patented Pulse Forging® technology.
Our systems can facilitate:
- Relief engraving for a stable and precise process that produces reliable and burr-free results
- Free-form engraving backed by Z-axis tracking for exact three-dimensional marks
- High-relief engraving for deep marks with extensive detail
Relief engraving
Whether extremely fine details with a femtosecond laser or a particularly fast engraving process thanks to a premium performance galvo head: ACSYS offers numerous options for relief engraving directly on hardened steel with Direct Laser Engraving. And all this without tool wear and with a stable and particularly precise process in which the engraving does not damage the surrounding surfaces. Burr-free engravings also make it possible to pre-polish the stamps. Laser engravings can also be applied directly to surfaces with a slight curvature. Take advantage of Direct Laser Engraving to engrave minting dies with Ultra Short Pulse lasers extremely quickly, burr-free and without deflection.
Free-form engraving
Free-form surfaces can be precisely engraved using ACSYS laser technology without any loss of quality. The absence of a 5-axis system ensures that there are no undercuts in the process. Another advantage is the fact that the process direction always corresponds to the demolding direction. Dynamic Focus Control (DFC) and software-controlled Z-axis tracking in the engraving process ensure increased precision. This opens up new design possibilities for three-dimensional coins and spheres with the help of free-form laser engraving.
High-relief engraving
With high relief engraving, it is possible to achieve disproportionately deep engravings with the highest level of detail. The ACSYS software offers special parameters for this and with the Dynamic Focus Control (DFC) extension, frosting effects for high relief engravings can also be realized. Contactless processing means that the laser as a tool cannot wear out or break, which is an additional benefit of laser processing.
Frosting & Surface finishing
Another area of application for the laser is the effective, targeted matting of polished molding tools such as dies for coins or medals. In addition, laser polishing with Pulse Forging®, patented by ACSYS, offers a further option for reducing the overall process time and increasing cost-effectiveness.
With our laser systems, you can:
- Apply different frostings to a single tool or component
- Create a perfect imitation of a sandblasted surface
- Use pixel graphics to create frosting gradients
- Generate a clean, smooth, and shiny surface
Frosting / matting
A perfect imitation of a sandblasted structure can be achieved through the targeted use of lasers. Other effects and structures are also possible by setting the appropriate parameters. ACSYS laser technology can also be used to apply different frostings (multi-frosting) to a single tool. Each stamp is given its own individual frosting, which is generated randomly and is not repeated. Another plus is the quick and easy positioning using the unique LAS HDµ camera system.
Gradient frosting
The frosting wizard in the ACSYS software can be used to create pixel graphics as frosting gradients. The soft transitions of the frosting, which are created by a patented algorithm for randomly arranging the dots, are particularly impressive. The density of the points is adjusted to avoid burns. Gradient Frosting enables a seamless transition between different frostings and different frosting patterns are possible with the various filters of the Frosting Wizard.
Pulse Forging
With ACSYS Femtosecond Lasers and the patented Pulse Forging® technology, you can make surfaces clean, smooth and shiny – similar to polishing. Neither the material properties nor the hardness of the treated material are changed. In combination with Direct Laser Engraving, precise engravings with filigree gradients and finely polished surfaces are possible without changing tools. Pulse Forging® works more accurately than any other process and smoothes even the smallest structures with a surface roughness of SA 0.1 µm.
Hallmarking
Hallmarking is a marking process in which a precious metal is marked with a series of component markings to protect customers from fraud and to ensure that the precious metal content has been independently verified and confirmed. Our laser systems excel at this application and can enhance your operations.
Repunch / hallmark / stamp mark
For authentication, tracking and increased security, microtexts or security features are either applied directly to a coin using direct laser engraving, or a laser engraving is created on a die. In addition to logos, serial numbers, purity grades and barcodes, other information can also be applied to the material with direct laser marking on precious metals. In addition to flat products, rings and other jewelry can also be processed using this method.
Intaglio engraving
The intaglio technique is mostly used for seal stamps. The surface of a metallic stamp blank is removed layer by layer using laser technology to create an intalgio engraving depth profile on the stamp printing plate.
Intaglio laser engraving
Burr-free intaglio engravings on stainless steel or nickel material can be produced particularly finely and precisely with ACSYS Ultra Short Pulse lasers. Small optics and perfect beam quality enable extremely filigree structures. Microtexts and security features (e.g. rainbow effect) can be incorporated at the same time. Further effects are possible due to different wavelengths of the laser source. The ORCA µ with vibration-reducing granite structure provides the perfect basis for a particularly large working area for printing plates.
Security features
To increase counterfeit protection, non-copyable security features can be created using laser technology. In contrast to conventional printing technology, laser systems from ACSYS only offer individualization and personalization abilities, but they can also process complex geometries and create inlays in deep layers of the material.
Security features include:
- Latent and tilt images that change based on the viewing angle
- Micro-engraving for marks that can only be read under a magnifying glass
- Rainbow and iris effect refractive structures on metallic surfaces
- Tilted contour lines in a two-dimensional space that creates a 3D effect
Micro-engraving
Micro features appear like a line to the naked eye and can only be read under a magnifying glass. Laser technology can be used to create corresponding micro-engravings with a depth of less than 80 μm and a size smaller than 60 μm in order to realize microtexts or hidden objects or codes as a security feature. ACSYS laser systems are equipped with a quick changer for interchangeable optics, allowing different security features to be realized, from microtext to latent images (wobble images).
Rainbow effect / Iris effect
ACSYS laser systems with both nanosecond and femtosecond lasers offer innovative solutions for creating refractive structures on metallic surfaces, such as chrome, embossed steel or stainless steel, for individual security features and optical effects. The colors are not applied directly with the laser, but a structure is created that can be applied to the workpiece by embossing, plastic injection molding or laminating.
Tilted contour lines
Shadow vectors, also known as tilted height lines, can be generated with ACSYS laser systems as 2D tool paths using a 3D model. The removal is two-dimensional, but creates a 3D effect. A combination with various laser processes, such as frosting, rainbow effect or micro-engraving, is possible.
Latent image / Tilt image
3D micro-engraving is used to create fine pyramid or cone structures in the material. The different sides of the structures created can be designed differently using laser processing. This creates visual effects that generate between two and four different images depending on the viewing angle. With laser technology, such tilt effects can be realized quickly, efficiently and very delicately. The laser also offers the advantage of being a wear-free and particularly flexible tool. In terms of effectiveness and efficiency, laser systems from ACSYS are a real plus for the production and finishing of embossing stamps and printing plates.
Performance & Sustainability
Making laser processes more efficient and sustainable is deeply rooted in the DNA of ACSYS. With novel technologies such as rapid area scan (RAS) or targeted PVD decoating of embossing dies with femtosecond lasers, ACSYS offers targeted innovations with significant added value for the mint & print industry.
High-Speed & High-Quality Digitization
With the unique Rapid Area Scan (RAS) process, you can speed up the high-precision digitization of templates for the creation of 3D models by up to 30 times – including the transfer of data to CarveCo. Instead of a single measuring point, a complete measuring line is projected. This means that an original can be scanned in blocks and significant time savings can be realized during the scanning process. The scanned segments are merged by the software without any loss of quality. The line width can also be adjusted flexibly and easily. And with the precise preview of the scan, you have full control.
Laser PVD decoating
The residue-free removal of PVD coatings (CrAIN, TiN) on embossing dies using laser technology from ACSYS contributes to improved sustainability and longer tool life. With the help of ultra-short laser pulses, only the protective PVD layer is completely removed, but the underlying relief is not damaged. And our patented pulse forging process subsequently ensures that the surface of the minting die can also be partially polished. And the best thing is that this process can be repeated without any noticeable loss of quality.
Laser Roughing & Finishing
Engraving in record time and with constant precision ACSYS takes the classic processing strategies of scrubbing and finishing to a new level: The intelligent software from ACSYS makes it possible to divide complex objects into zones. These individual parameters are precisely matched to the surface requirements and the desired level of detail and are optimally engraved using the latest laser technology. The new ultra-fast engraving setup achieves the highest removal rate compared to the current femto parameters, with constant precision and without any hardware changes. At the same time, Performance Toolpathing ensures optimum laser paths and cleaning and smoothing intervals that reliably prevent the photocopying effect. The result: up to ten times faster than CNC or nano laser engraving – with the highest quality and maximum efficiency.
Products and Solutions
PIRANHA µ
High-precision laser processing in series production is the specialty of the PIRANHA® µ. That is why it is our bestseller when it comes to micro-precision. In combination with an Femtosecond Laser (UKP), the PIRANHA® µ is a true precision champion and impresses with its flexibility in terms of materials and application options.
MULTISHIFT µ
The MULTISHIFT® µ from ACSYS is versatile, ergonomic, automated, full of high-tech and an eye-catcher. If only because you can watch the laser at work here.
ORCA µ
The ORCA® µ impresses with maximum precision and repeat accuracy – even with bulky components and multi-sided machining.
How We Stand Out
The ACSYS team has been providing high-precision, reliable laser solutions for more than 20 years. Our talented staff is committed to the industry and we’re proud to be pioneers in the field of laser micromachining.
Our systems provide customers with key functionalities like marking, engraving, structuring, welding, and cutting, ensuring that whatever they need a laser system for, they’ll have equipment that can get the job done. We also provide a range of services, including application consulting, training, service packages, spare parts, and more, because we want to be your one-stop shop for laser technology.
Enhance Your Coining and Minting with Lasers
ACSYS systems can help you upgrade your operations and give you functionalities you’ve never dreamed of.
Contact our team today to tell us about your needs and we can offer custom solutions.
“We use ACSYS laser systems for frosting coins and for direct laser engraving of embossing dies and are very satisfied with the results.”
J. Deveau, Royal Canadian Mint
Next level 3D engraving
The smallest gold coin in the world is a success story. Find out how the motif was realized on the minting die and what role a femtosecond laser and patented ACSYS technology played in the process.
Your ACSYS expert for Mint & Print
How can I help?
Let’s get in touch.
Alexander Aminidis
Head of Global Business Unit Mint & Print
Telephone: +49 7154 80875 33
E-Mail: a.aminidis@acsys.de