By Guillaume Jobin on December 18, 2024
Laser Marking
Permanent part marking ranges from logos and serial numbers to barcodes and certification marks. It’s a critical step in manufacturing to maintain control over quality, comply with regulatory requirements, and ensure the traceability of products.
Permanent marking plays a significant role in safety, liability management, effective asset tracking, and protection against counterfeiting. With industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices facing increasing scrutiny, the ability to trace and authenticate parts is critical.
However, there are multiple methods that manufacturers can use. In this guide, we’ll explain the critical importance of permanent part marking and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Table of Contents
- Why Is Permanent Part Marking Important?
- Part Marking Methods: Pros and Cons
- What to Consider When Choosing a Part Marking Method
- Choosing the Right Part Marking Method
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Why Is Permanent Part Marking Important?
First, let’s take a closer look at each of the key benefits permanent marking provides and why manufacturers and businesses need to mark parts.
Branding
Permanent part marking is a powerful tool for branding. Companies can use logos and marks to highlight their brand and reinforce trademarks. As users see the brand on high-quality parts, it reinforces brand loyalty.
Quality Control and Traceability
Manufacturers can track parts throughout their lifecycle, ensuring consistent quality and traceability. This is particularly important in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where the history of each part needs to be easily accessible after post-processes (like coating, blasting, etc.) and for audits, inspections, or recalls.
Compliance
Many industries are subject to strict regulatory standards that require parts to be marked for identification and compliance purposes. Permanent marking helps make sure products meet the necessary certifications and quality standards.
Protection Against Counterfeiting
Counterfeit products can pose a serious safety threat. According to the FAA, over half a million counterfeit components or unapproved parts make their way into supply chains and are installed on airplanes. Recently, six major airlines had to ground more than 100 planes to remove counterfeit parts.
Counterfeits in auto parts, electronics, and medical devices also pose significant concerns.
Permanent marking can act as a deterrent by providing a unique and difficult-to-replicate identifier. This helps protect both manufacturers and end users from getting fraudulent goods or putting safety at risk.
Safety and Liability
Clear markings can provide important safety information, such as hazard warnings or maintenance instructions, which can prevent accidents and reduce liability in case of product failure.
Asset Management
By marking parts with serial numbers, barcodes, or RFID tags, businesses can track inventory more easily, ultimately improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime or stockouts. Considering that inventory accuracy in U.S. retail operations is around 63%, accurate tracking is essential.
Part Marking Methods: Pros and Cons
Quick Comparison Table
| MARKING METHOD | PROS | CONS |
| Laser Marking |
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| Dot Peen |
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| Scribing |
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| Labels |
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| Ink Jet |
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| Stamp Marking |
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| Chemical Etching |
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| Engraving Pens |
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1. Laser
Laser marking is a high-precision, non-contact method of marking. Focused laser beams etch or engrave markings by directing a laser beam onto the material surface. The laser's heat causes a reaction on the surface to create the mark.
Pros:
- Permanent Mark: One of the biggest advantages of laser marking is the permanence of the mark. Laser marks are durable and resistant to wear and post processes, making them ideal for applications that require long-lasting identification (even under harsh conditions).
- Precision: Laser marking is known for its high accuracy, allowing for fine details and small text to be marked precisely. It is especially useful for intricate designs, logos, barcodes, and serial numbers.
- Speed: Laser systems can mark parts quickly, which is beneficial for high-volume production environments. The speed of laser marking reduces downtime and increases overall productivity.
- Quick Changeover: Laser marking systems are flexible and can easily switch between different designs or part configurations without the need for significant setup changes.
- Code Quality and Readability: Only laser gives you a grade B or better in permanent marking.
Cons:
- Upfront Cost: The initial investment in laser marking equipment can be high, especially for industrial-scale applications. However, operating expenses are generally lower compared to some other methods, as lasers require minimal maintenance and do not need consumables like ink.
- Less Suitable for High Mix of Parts: Manufacturers with a high number of parts with different sizes are less likely to use a laser as the positioning of the surface to mark must be quite constant.
Common Applications:
- Aerospace and Automotive: Part identification, serial numbers, barcodes, and logos on safety critical components such as engine parts and airframes.
- Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, implants, and tools.
- Electronics: Microelectronics, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and consumer electronics components.
Laser marking works well on a wide range of materials, including metals (aluminum, steel, magnesium), plastics, ceramics, glass, and wood.
2. Dot Peen
Dot peen marking uses a pneumatically controlled stylus or pin to create a series of small, precise dots on the material's surface. These dots can form letters, numbers, or symbols. This non-contact method creates a permanent mark by indenting the material.
Pros:
- Lower Initial Cost: Dot peen marking equipment is typically less expensive than laser marking systems. While the pins can be costly, the overall cost of the equipment is generally lower.
- No Dust: Unlike other marking methods like laser engraving, which can produce fumes or dust, dot peen marking does not create hazardous byproducts, making it safer for operators in open environments.
- Durability: The marks made by dot peen marking are durable and resistant to wear, which is essential for industrial applications where part identification and traceability are crucial.
Cons:
- Material Deformation: One downside of dot peen marking is that the process can deform thin or fragile materials due to the force applied by the stylus. This may not be ideal for parts that require a clean, smooth surface.
- Noise: Dot peen machines can be noisy due to the repetitive impact of the pins on the material. This can be disruptive in a manufacturing environment, requiring soundproofing or other measures to minimize noise pollution.
- Limited Versatility: Dot peen marking is not suitable for all materials. Also, the pins can wear out over time, requiring replacement in high-volume applications. This can lead to maintenance costs and downtime.
- Low Readability: The mark's low contrast results in difficult reading, especially inline in an automated environment.
Common Applications:
- Automotive: Part identification, including serial numbers and barcodes on engine parts, frames, and tools.
- Aerospace: Engine components, turbines, and structural parts.
- Heavy Equipment: Large machinery and tools that need identification to withstand extreme conditions.
Dot peen marking works well on materials such as metals, plastics, and hardened surfaces.
3. Scribing
Scribing uses a stylus or sharp tool to create a permanent marking on the surface of a material by physically carving or scoring the surface. This process is commonly used to produce continuous lines for logos, part numbers, or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) markings.
Pros:
- Good for Logos: Scribing can create logos in continuous lines, which are highly legible and permanent. It is also a reliable method for VIN markings, as the lines remain clear even after wear and tear.
- Precision: The marks created by scribing are clean and precise, making this method suitable for applications requiring high legibility.
Cons:
- Limited to Sturdy Materials: Scribing requires the use of robust materials, as the stylus applies force to the surface. Therefore, delicate materials are not suitable for this process.
- Tool Wear: The scribing tool can wear down after extensive use, requiring downtime for replacement and maintenance.
- Limited Marking Types: Unlike other methods like laser marking, scribing cannot handle more complex markings like barcodes, making it less versatile.
Common Applications:
- Automotive: Chassis and engine blocks
- Aerospace: Logos, certification marks, and part identification numbers
- Electronics: Metal and plastic enclosures for product identification or branding
Scribing can be used on hard metals, ceramics, and durable plastics.
4. Labels
Labeling is a common marking method that involves applying adhesive labels to parts or products. These labels typically contain product information, barcodes, logos, and other important identifiers.
Pros:
- Inexpensive and Simple: Labeling is a straightforward and cost-effective marking method, requiring minimal investment in equipment or training.
- Easy to Read: Labels are easy to read and can be printed with clear text, barcodes, or logos. The labels are often designed for quick scanning, especially when paired with barcode readers.
Cons:
- Limited Lifespan: One major disadvantage of labels is that they have a limited lifespan. Over time, labels can peel off or become illegible, especially when exposed to harsh environments like extreme temperatures, moisture, or chemicals.
- Cost of Labels: The cost of labels can add up over time, particularly if high-quality, durable labels are required. In some industries, such as the primary metal industry, labels can be prone to wear and loss — which can lead to incomplete or missing data.
- Less Versatile: Labels are not suitable for applications requiring permanent, tamper-proof marks, as they can be easily removed or replaced.
Common Applications:
- Packaging: Products with expiration dates, batch numbers, and barcodes.
- Consumer Goods: Logos, batch numbers, and other identifiers on products made from plastics, glass, or metals.
- Food and Beverage: Traceability, ingredient lists, and compliance.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Medications, batch numbers, expiration dates, and regulatory information.
Labels are inexpensive solutions for applications that involve variable data marking, such as batch numbers, dates, and logos on products with shorter lifespans.
5. Ink Jet
Ink jet marking sprays ink to create text or graphics on the surface of a product. This method is often used for fast, high-volume marking applications, especially when products are moving along a production line.
Pros:
- Speed: Ink jet marking can mark parts on the fly, which is essential for industries requiring high throughput.
- Versatility: Ink jet marking systems can also be used on a wide range of materials, including non-porous surfaces.
Cons:
- Cost of Ink: The inks and solvents required for ink jet marking can be costly for high-volume production.
- Maintenance: Ink jet systems require frequent maintenance, as the print heads can become clogged or worn over time.
- Fading: The ink can fade over time or with exposure to environmental factors like UV light or harsh chemicals.
Common Applications:
- Packaging: Date coding, product ID, and barcodes on packaging.
- Consumer Goods: Logos, batch numbers, and other identifiers.
- Food and Beverage: Packaging traceability, expiration dates, and shelf-life information.
Ink jet marking works fast, on-the-fly marking in high-speed production environments, and is suitable for materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, and metals.
6. Stamp Marking
Stamp marking uses a die and stamping mechanism to create marks, typically through impact or pressure. This method is simple and widely used for high-volume production.
Pros:
- Low Cost: Stamp marking is relatively inexpensive. The tools and dies required for stamping are durable and cost-effective.
- Deep Marks: It can create deep impressions, which are highly visible and resistant to wear over time.
Cons:
- Die Wear: The dies used for stamp marking wear down with each use and must be replaced regularly. This increases maintenance costs and downtime in production.
- Limited Flexibility: Stamp marking is less flexible in high-mix environments where different parts need to be marked with different designs or identifiers.
- Manual Intervention: It typically requires human intervention, especially in non-automated or high-mix production environments, which can increase labor costs and reduce efficiency.
Common Applications:
- Packaging: Date coding, lot numbers, and product codes on packaging materials.
- Consumer Goods: Logos, product identification, and barcodes on plastic or metal products.
- Construction and Heavy Machinery: Large equipment and construction materials with identification numbers and maintenance information.
Stamp marking is best suited for high-volume, repetitive marking tasks, especially on larger or solid parts that require deep impressions. It works with metals, rubber, plastic, and wood materials.
7. Chemical Etching
Chemical etching involves using a chemical solution to etch a design into a material. This method is primarily used for metals and is commonly applied in the electronics, aerospace, and medical device industries. However, with the push for sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions, it has become far less common over the past few years.
Pros:
- Cost-Effective for Some Applications: Chemical etching is relatively inexpensive for certain applications, particularly when fine details need to be marked on conductive metals.
- High Contrast: The etching process creates high-contrast marks easily visible on metals.
Cons:
- Limited to Conductive Metals: Chemical etching is not suitable for plastics or ceramics.
- Declining Use: The industry is moving away from chemical etching due to its use of hazardous materials.
Common Applications:
- Medical Devices: Surgical instruments and implants
- Electronics: Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Aerospace: High-precision parts and components in aerospace applications where fine markings are necessary.
Chemical etching works best on conductive metals. It is often used in small or delicate parts where high contrast is essential for readability.
8. Engraving Pens
Engraving pens are handheld tools used for engraving text or designs into a material. They are often used in smaller, custom applications.
Pros:
- Simple and Quick: Engraving pens are easy to use and offer quick marking capabilities, making them suitable for small jobs or custom applications.
- Portable: These tools are portable and do not require significant setup, allowing for flexibility in marking various items.
Cons:
- Not Suitable for Large-Scale Production: Engraving pens are not suitable for mid or large-scale production runs as they are designed for manual use and custom jobs.
- Labor-Intensive: Since engraving with a pen is done by hand, it can be time-consuming and inefficient for high-volume production.
Common Applications:
- Jewelry and Luxury Goods: Personalization and marking logos or serial numbers on luxury items like rings, necklaces, and watches.
- Industrial Equipment: Serial numbers, part identifiers, or maintenance codes on tools, machinery, and molds.
- Arts and Crafts: Custom engraving on personal items like gifts, tools, and awards.
Engraving pens best fit small, custom jobs and can work with wood, plastic, glass, and stone.
What to Consider When Choosing a Part Marking Method
Different industries have unique needs, and selecting the most appropriate method can ensure efficiency, compliance, and quality throughout the product lifecycle. Here are some of the key factors you want to consider.
1. Material and Surface Type
The material and surface type of the part play a crucial role in selecting the appropriate marking method. For example, laser marking is highly effective on metals like steel, aluminum, and titanium, as well as certain plastics and ceramics. Dot peen marking is commonly used on harder materials like steel and aluminum, whereas inkjet marking works best on non-porous surfaces like plastic and metal.
You need to understand the physical properties of the material you’re marking to ensure durability and readability. Some methods, like scribing and engraving, are ideal for hard metals, while others, like labeling and inkjet printing, work best on materials that require less surface penetration.
2. Volume and Speed
For high-volume production environments, methods that offer quick marking speeds and can handle large quantities of parts, such as laser, inkjet and stamp marking. These methods can mark parts on the fly, making them suitable for packaging lines or fast-paced manufacturing environments.
For low- to medium-volume runs where precision and durability are more important than speed, dot peen and scribing may be more appropriate. These methods are slower but offer permanent markings that can withstand harsh conditions over time.
3. Marking Environment
Parts exposed to extreme temperatures, moisture, chemicals, or physical stress may require specialized marking methods. For instance, laser marking is highly versatile and can be used in a range of environments, but the marking equipment must be housed in an enclosure to protect it from dust and debris.
Dot peen marking, while durable, may be noisy and may not be suitable for clean-room environments, such as those in medical device manufacturing.
4. Cost and Scalability
Capital expenditures (CapEx) for marking equipment vary widely by method. For example, laser marking systems typically require a bigger initial investment, but operational expenses (OpEx) are lower over time due to fewer consumables and maintenance needs. On the other hand, methods like inkjet and label printing require lower initial costs but may incur higher operational expenses due to the cost of consumables such as inks, solvents, and labels.
Scalability is also a consideration for companies that need to adjust their production output based on demand. Some methods, like dot peen and laser marking, are easily scalable to higher volumes without sacrificing quality, while others, like engraving pens or chemical etching, become inefficient or costly for larger production runs.
Companies will want to explore the total cost of ownership (TCO) for any manufacturing solutions they explore.
5. Product Lifecycle & Traceability
Particularly in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare, parts are marked at the time of manufacturing to ensure traceability throughout their entire lifecycle. This helps make tracing problems faster when safety is at stake. For example, when a door fell off a Boeing 737 in-flight on an Alaskan Airlines flight, FAA investigators determined the problem was untightened bolts on a door plug. Because the parts were marked, traceability allowed investigators to determine other aircraft with the same parts quickly.
Depending on how long the product needs to be tracked and how often it will be subjected to harsh environments, more durable marking methods like laser, dot peen, or scribing are often preferred.
For parts with a short lifecycle or those intended for single-use applications (such as some consumer goods or packaging), methods like labeling or inkjet printing are more appropriate due to their affordability and ease of use.
6. Regulatory Standards
Regulatory standards play a significant role in the selection of part marking methods. Some of the more common standards include:
- ISO 9001: This widely recognized standard for quality management requires that companies establish traceability for products and parts, which may involve permanent marking to ensure compliance with internal and external audits.
- ASTM Standards: The American Society for Testing and Materials provides specific guidelines for marking various materials.
7. Industry-Specific Standards
Depending on the industry, there may be specific guidelines and requirements to ensure quality, safety, and traceability. For example:
- Aerospace and Defense: AS9100 and MIL-STD-129 establish stringent requirements for part identification and traceability in the aerospace and defense sectors.
- Automotive: IATF 16949 sets marking and traceability requirements for automotive parts.
- Medical Devices: The FDA UDI system and ISO 13485 specify the need for marking medical devices to ensure patient safety and traceability of surgical instruments, implants, and tools.
- Electronics/Semiconductors: IPC-A-610m and JEDEC provide detailed marking guidelines for the electronics industry, particularly for components used in semiconductors and printed circuit boards (PCBs).
- Chemical/Pharmaceuticals: Regulatory frameworks like the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP), Globally Harmonized System (GPS), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) establish requirements for marking products to maintain traceability and compliance with safety standards.
- Oil and Gas: American Petroleum Institute (API) requirements and ASME B31.3 outline marking specifications for components used in the oil and gas industry, ensuring safety and integrity.
- Manufacturing: GS1 traceability systems are used across a variety of manufacturing industries to ensure that products are traceable from production to distribution.
It can get especially complex for organizations that produce products used in cross-border applications and need to comply with global standards for part marking. For example, certain marking methods may be required for export products to meet specific country regulations, ensuring that products are compatible with local safety and quality standards.
Choosing the Right Part Marking Method
Selecting the right part marking method is crucial for ensuring product quality, compliance, and operational efficiency. Whether it's laser marking for precision and permanence, inkjet for speed and flexibility, or dot peen for durability, the right method will support traceability, brand integrity, and product safety across the lifecycle of the part.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the most durable marking method?
Laser marking is considered one of the most durable methods because it creates permanent, high-contrast marks resistant to wear, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
What are the different types of part marking?
Common part marking methods include laser marking, dot peen, scribing, labels, inkjet, stamp marking, chemical etching, and engraving pens.
Why is part marking important?
Part marking ensures traceability, product identification, quality control, compliance with regulations, and protection against counterfeiting. It also contributes to asset management, safety, and liability management.
What are the biggest advantages of laser marking on parts?
Laser marking offers precise, permanent marks that can be applied to a variety of materials. It is fast, reduces the need for consumables, and is ideal for complex designs such as logos or barcodes. Additionally, laser marks are resistant to fading and wear, ensuring long-lasting readability.
Interested in laser part marking?
If you're a manufacturer with high-volume production, laser part marking may be your best option. Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more.
