Factors to consider in the marking of metal parts

January 10, 2019 By: Staff Vinssa

Metal marking is frequently used in all types of industries dedicated to mass production of automobiles, electronics, ingots, bars, etc. where a large number of parts are produced per second.

VINSSA offers laser marking and micro-percussion solutions for a wide range of materials, including metal. Learn more about the benefits, best practices and our technologies for coding on these types of parts.

Content of this article:
Why mark metal parts?
Benefits of marking and traceability in metals
Technologies for marking metal parts
Best practices for marking metal parts
Industries that require traceability in metals
VINSSA your best choice for coding metal parts

Why mark metal parts?

Metal marking is useful for the following purposes:

1. Identification

• Standardization of products.
• Knowing who created each part.
• Identify if it was approved with the quality parameters indicated for the process
• Knowing about its manufacturing details: name of the part, serial number, date of creation, from which machine and batch it comes from, etc.

2. Traceability

• To know how the part is progressing in the process.
• To have information about its status in real time.
• It goes hand in hand with the reading equipment that we also have in VINSSA.
• It allows to track each digit and know if it meets the required specifications.

3. Aesthetics and image

• To mark the pieces with logos or designs.
• With the objective of promoting the brand in an advertising way.

Benefits of marking and traceability in metals

Some advantages of this technology for our customers' processes are:

• Accurate, simple and fast marking: Shorter cycles, less waste and applies on parts such as complete products or all parts of a more complex product.
• Identification on steel and a wide range of materials: Such as copper, aluminum, steel, alloys, etc.
• Increased brand visibility: Allows positioning of the manufacturer and helps the customer to identify who their supplier is in case they require spare parts or technical advice.
• Code: Use of 2D codes so that the system has a higher level of automation.
• Product traceability: Greater control and assurance that each part during its process for compliance with standards.
• Resistant: Direct marking or special labeling on metal parts resists acids, chemicals and corrosion and high temperature.
• It is possible to mark any type of metal part: We have different technologies to cover all needs.

Metal part marking technologies

We have two types of laser marking on metal, direct on the part or external.

1. Direct on the part

A) Laser Marking

• The most used are those of the fiber series on metal.
• Advisable when it is necessary to eliminate noise from the process since they do not generate sound during marking.
• It has short cycle times depending on the size of the mark and the level of aggressiveness of the marking required.
• It is not usually used in processes that require painting after marking, since the mark is lost.
• It is necessary to have certain safety measures to operate this kind of marking equipment in the work area.

B) Micropercussion Marking

• Marks a matrix of dots under pressure in a specific and limited area.
• They work with one or several tips, there are several types of tips with different masses or conicity for different applications.
• We work with Telesis equipment.
• This type of pneumatic equipment does generate noise.
• It is necessary to have an adequate and safe clamping of the piece.
• It is recommended for its low cost compared to laser equipment.
• Very effective when the mark must survive the painting process, for example in automobile chassis.

C) Scratching of metal parts (Scribe)

• It works in a similar way to micro-percussion, since when Scribe goes down and projects against the metal part it slides without lifting again, removing the material with the edge of the tip and generating lines instead of dots.
• Equipment with a greater depth of mark and a little slower than micro-percussion.
• Ideal when marking VIN numbers (Vehicle Identification Number) or the serial number of a part in the automotive industry.
• Unlike laser and micro-percussion marking technology, scribing cannot generate 2D codes.

2. External to the part

• Indicated when it is not possible to modify the surface of the part in any way.
• The labels can be removed later once they have fulfilled their function.

Best practices for marking metal parts

Here are some tips for metal marking:

• Laser Marking: do it on flat areas of the part to shorten cycle times.
• Micro-percussion marking: Avoid curved or rough surfaces as the material may not be uniform.
• Scratching of metal parts (Scribe): It is vital to have a reliable fixture as the part vibrates quite a bit.
• Part labeling: When the labeling/marking must be removed at some point in the process.

Industries requiring metal traceability

Some of the industries that use our marking systems on a regular basis are:

• Automotive Parts Marking: On every part of the vehicle, engine parts, engine head, seats, etc.
• Electronics: On electronic board, integral electronics, capacitors, etc.
• White Goods: Used on outer casing, nameplates, and every component of the final product (washing machines, blenders, etc).
• Aerospace: Every component part of an aircraft such as turbines, metal structures, seats, etc.
• Metalworking: Ingots, bars and plates.

VINSSA your best option for coding on metal parts

In VINSSA we are experts in industrial marking solutions, some advantages of choosing us as your supplier are:

• We provide complete traceability solutions or just equipment sales.
• We have a wide coverage as we are strategically distributed in the country to cover the main areas of the manufacturing industry.
• We provide support and warranty service for our brands represented in Mexico, we provide advice, service and local spare parts.
• We have a wide range of equipment, solutions and technologies.

Do you have a project?

Contact our consultants to learn more about the benefits for your project.

We can advise you on the type of metal you are going to mark, your production times, the location of the marking equipment and the part of the process in which it would be applied to present you a solution for marking automotive parts, metal parts, etc.