The Datalogic AREX400 is an industrial fiber laser marker for permanent Direct Part Marking (DPM), serialisation and engraving on metals and suitable plastics. Its compact scanhead, embedded controller and industrial communication protocols support component identification and traceability in automated production lines and robotic cells.
The AREX400 marks identification directly onto the component, removing the need for an adhesive label where the material and application permit. It produces text, serial numbers, batch references, logos and machine-readable codes, including Data Matrix and QR codes.
The separate scanhead and controller suit machine builders integrating marking into fixtures, enclosed workstations and robotic cells. Selecting the configuration requires matching the laser source, lens and marking process to the part, available space and production cycle.
The family includes fixed-pulse fibre lasers and a 20 W MOPA version, which provides adjustable pulse duration for finer control of the interaction with the material.
| Model | Nominal average power | Laser configuration |
|---|---|---|
| AREX410 | 10 W | Pulsed fibre |
| AREX420 | 20 W | Pulsed fibre |
| AREX420MW | 20 W | MOPA; adjustable pulse duration from 4 to 250 ns |
| AREX430 | 30 W | Pulsed fibre |
| AREX450 | 50 W | Pulsed fibre |
| AREX401 | 100 W | Pulsed fibre; larger controller |
Catalogue order codes identify the source and lens combination; nominal wattage alone does not establish suitability. Higher power may help with material removal, while pulse control can matter more for contrast, coating removal or heat-sensitive surfaces.
Documented marking fields range from 50 × 50 mm to 285 × 285 mm across selected configurations. These are lens-dependent alternatives, not a field range available on every model. The lens also determines working distance and affects spot size, so specify the smallest code feature as well as the overall marking area.
The scanhead measures 96 × 90 × 326 mm (H × W × D) and weighs approximately 3.5 kg without the scan lens. The 10–50 W controller measures 113 × 432 × 434 mm; the AREX401 controller is 158 mm high. Allow additional space for optics, connectors, cable routing and cooling airflow.
The scanhead is rated IP64. Complete protection with 160S and 254S M39 lenses requires the appropriate protective cap. The controller is IP31 when mounted horizontally and IP30 otherwise; it needs a suitable protected installation environment.
The system uses a 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz supply. Confirm electrical loading and ambient operating limits against the selected model’s installation manual.
AREX400 is a Class 4 laser component requiring integration into a properly safeguarded machine. The installation must address enclosure design, interlocks, extraction and the Safe Laser Off interface.
LIGHTER Suite provides layout editing, laser control and diagnostics through the embedded controller, allowing marking operation without a separate supervisory PC. Documented Win10 configurations use Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019; identify the controller and software revision when specifying a new installation or replacement.
TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, RS-232 and digital I/O support machine communication. PROFINET requires an additional licence. The controller also supports external stepper-axis integration; motors, fixtures, cabling and machine controls must be specified for the application.
Laser GreenSpot provides configurable visual feedback in the marking area. It can indicate readiness, completion of a marking cycle or a positive MARVIS result when that function is enabled. A marking-complete indication alone does not establish code readability.
For inline checking, Datalogic Lighter MARVIS laser marking software connects the marking process with a compatible reader. MARVIS requires a separate licence and reader hardware, with the reader, lighting and acceptance criteria selected for the marked surface.
AREX400 applications include component traceability in automotive manufacturing, industrial electronics, precision mechanics and tool production. The required result may be a contrasting identification mark, an engraved serial number or permanent product branding.
Test representative production parts, including any cleaning, coating or finishing performed after marking. A mark that reads immediately after processing may behave differently after abrasion, chemical exposure or subsequent surface treatment.
If the material responds poorly to an infrared fibre source, compare other laser marking systems before selecting the equipment. Changing wavelength may be more appropriate than increasing laser power.
The main selection difference is how the system accommodates changes in marking height. The Datalogic AREX400 AF adds software-controlled focus adjustment within the scanhead.
| Requirement | AREX400 | AREX400 AF |
|---|---|---|
| Focus adjustment | Fixed-focus optics; position the marking surface at the required working distance. | Focus adjustment through LIGHTER 9 software. |
| Changing part heights | May require fixture changes or external mechanical positioning. | Lens-dependent adjustment ranges from ±20 mm to ±60 mm. |
| Automatic height compensation | Requires an appropriately engineered positioning arrangement. | An optional distance sensor supports compensation for height variation. |
Choose the fixed-focus configuration when the marking plane is repeatable. Consider AF when frequent format changes or several marking levels justify adjustable focus, after checking that the required heights and marking fields fall within its lens-specific limits.
For a machined housing requiring a Data Matrix code and a readable serial number, begin with the material grade, surface finish, code dimensions and available cycle time. Select a lens that covers the mark while maintaining the required feature size, then test contrast and readability on production samples.
If housings share one marking plane, a repeatable fixture may suit AREX400. If variants present different heights, compare mechanical repositioning with AF focus adjustment. Where release depends on a successful code check, include the reader and validation sequence in the cycle-time assessment.
The manual specifies scanning speeds up to 10,000 mm/s, measured with a 160 mm focal-length lens. This is beam movement speed, not finished-part throughput. Establish the achievable cycle using the actual artwork, material, depth, loading sequence and any code validation.
Marking in motion is documented for 10–50 W configurations, with constant-speed or encoder-based operation. Confirm the capability of the exact order code, particularly for AREX401, and provide conveyor speed, part spacing and trigger requirements.
MarvelTech supplies laser marking and industrial automation equipment and offers maintenance, periodic inspections, adjustments and support contracts. Discuss the application review, integration work and ongoing support required for your installation.
The quote depends on laser power, lens, controller, software licences, validation equipment and accessories, together with any agreed installation and support work. Request confirmation of availability, lead time, warranty terms and service coverage for your location.
Send MarvelTech the material grade and finish, part drawings or samples, marking content and dimensions, required contrast or depth, target cycle time, height variation, available installation space and PLC protocol. Include your installation location and any code-quality requirements so the enquiry can address the complete marking configuration.
AREX400 supports direct part marking on metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and titanium, plus selected plastics. Typical applications include serial numbers, Data Matrix codes and logos on automotive components, electronics and precision parts. Plastic suitability depends on its formulation and additives. Test the actual surface and any subsequent finishing process; materials with poor infrared response may require alternative laser marking technologies.
The pulsed-fibre range comprises AREX410 at 10 W, AREX420 at 20 W, AREX430 at 30 W, AREX450 at 50 W and AREX401 at 100 W. Select power around the required contrast, engraving depth and production cycle. Higher wattage can help with material removal, but does not establish better marking quality. The 100 W model also requires space for a larger controller.
Both provide 20 W nominal average power, but AREX420MW offers adjustable pulse durations from 4 to 250 ns, while AREX420 uses a typical fixed pulse width of 100 ns. This additional control makes MOPA worth evaluating for sensitive plastics, coating removal and appearance-critical metal marking. The purchasing distinction is control over how energy reaches the surface, rather than additional average power.
Select the lens using the overall marking area, smallest code feature and available working distance together. Documented configurations span fields from 50 × 50 mm to 285 × 285 mm, but each source supports specific lens combinations. A larger field changes spot size and power density, so accommodating a large logo does not automatically establish suitability for a small Data Matrix code.
Choose fixed-focus AREX400 when fixtures or positioning equipment present each marking surface at the required working distance. The Datalogic AREX400 AF adjustable-focus laser marker changes focus through software, making it relevant for stepped parts and frequent height changes. Automatic compensation for measured height variation requires the AF model’s optional distance sensor; programmed focus adjustment alone does not measure the part.
Finished-part speed depends on the material, artwork, mark dimensions, depth and number of passes. Datalogic specifies scanning speeds up to 10,000 mm/s with a 160 mm focal-length lens, but this describes beam movement rather than production throughput. Evaluate the complete cycle, including part positioning, data transfer, marking and any code validation, using the intended production layout.
Marking on the fly is documented for 10–50 W configurations, using constant-speed operation or encoder feedback to synchronise marking with movement. Specify conveyor speed, speed variation, part spacing, trigger position and marking content. The mark must fit within the available processing window. Confirm this capability separately for the 100 W AREX401 rather than extending the lower-power models’ specification to it.
AREX400 can execute marking jobs through its embedded controller and LIGHTER Suite without a separate supervisory PC. Machine interfaces include TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, RS-232 and digital I/O; PROFINET requires an additional licence. Integration still needs configured job selection, variable-data transfer, trigger signals and fault handling. Identify the controller and software release when specifying compatibility with an existing production system.
GreenSpot indicates a configured status, which can mean readiness, marking completion or a positive MARVIS result. Marking completion alone does not confirm readability. Inline checking requires a compatible reader and the separately licensed LIGHTER MARVIS code-validation functionality. Define the reader, lighting and acceptance criteria for the surface; a successful decode alone does not establish compliance with a specified code-quality grading requirement.
The scanhead is rated IP64, but complete protection with 160S and 254S M39 lenses requires the appropriate protective cap. The controller has a lower rating: IP31 when horizontal and IP30 otherwise. Specify protection for each installed component rather than treating the whole system as IP64. Provide suitable cooling airflow and assess exposure to coolant, dust and cleaning processes when designing the installation.
AREX400 is a Class 4 laser component for integration into a safeguarded machine. A usable installation needs suitable mounting, part presentation, laser containment, interlocks and extraction matched to the process. Safe Laser Off must be incorporated into the machine’s safety design. Rotary axes, positioning mechanisms, readers and associated cabling are application-specific equipment that should be itemised in the quotation.
Send the material grade and finish, part drawings or samples, marking content and dimensions, required contrast or depth, target cycle time and height variation. Include installation space, PLC protocol, conveyor details and code-quality requirements. Ask for an itemised configuration covering the source, lens, controller, licences, accessories and agreed integration work, with availability, lead time, warranty and support scope confirmed for your location.
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