Telesis Ultraviolet Marking: The Invisible Solution for the Automotive Industry

20th Jan 2026

To understand the importance of marking in the automotive industry, we must first look at the concept of traceability, which refers to the ability to locate a part or component within a process, in this case, a manufacturing process. To identify a single part among thousands of identical ones, it must carry a unique, permanent, and inseparable mark, meaning the marking cannot be removed or altered.

Once all components are properly identified, they are assembled into a finished product. Together with a database, this provides comprehensive information about each product, including details about its composition, the processes it went through, and the conditions under which it was approved for production. This traceability system helps prevent counterfeiting, identify and correct quality issues, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Why may traditional marking methods not be suitable for all materials?

For this system to work effectively, high-quality marking is essential. Some less robust methods, such as labels, are not reliable since they can eventually peel off; ink markings can fade or be erased; and electrochemical marking, while somewhat effective, is slow and less practical for high-volume production.

The most effective identification methods are direct part marking, which ensures the mark cannot be removed or tampered with and is fast enough to integrate into automotive production lines.

• Dot Peen Marking (Micro-percussion): The pinstamp or dot peen method uses a steel or carbide pin to create a series of dots on the material, forming alphanumeric characters, QR codes, or Data Matrix codes. The depth of the mark can be adjusted as needed.It is fully automated and, most importantly, permanent and non-erasable.
• Scribe Marking: Scribe systems engrave the surface by carving continuous lines to form alphanumeric characters.
• Laser Marking: Laser marking provides high-resolution, permanent, and high-contrast markings, ideal for alphanumeric characters, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, bitmap images, JPEGs, and DXF drawings.It’s a precise and clean method, perfect for fine and detailed markings

What are the challenges of marking materials in the automotive industry?

When it comes to marking delicate materials such as plastic, glass, or paper, it becomes a challenge, as mechanical methods can easily damage or deform the surfaces.

The automotive industry uses a wide variety of non-metallic materials, each presenting specific challenges when it comes to marking. These challenges make conventional technologies such as ink, adhesive labels, or thermal lasers not always viable or reliable.

• Plastics: Due to their sensitivity to heat, many plastics can deform, burn, or change color. In addition, marking on plastics must meet traceability standards without compromising the appearance of the component, especially for parts visible to the end user, which require clean and discreet marks.
• Glass: Glass is difficult to mark because of its reflective or transparent surface, making it challenging to achieve legible markings without affecting material integrity. There is also a risk of microfractures or structural weakening.
• Paper: This material has low resistance to traditional marking methods, with a higher risk of wear, erasing, or damage caused by friction.

How does Telesis UV marking work and what benefits does it offer in the automotive industry?

UV marking uses short wavelengths that interact directly with the material, enabling marking without significant heat input and without physical contact. The key benefits of UV marking in the automotive industry include:

• Minimal thermal impact: “Cold” marking, ideal for heat-sensitive materials such as plastics, paper, and thin materials.
• High contrast and definition: Produces sharp, clear marks, even on transparent materials.
• Invisible or discreet marking: Perfect for covert traceability or anti-counterfeiting applications.
• No consumables and no contact: Reduces operating and maintenance costs.
• High precision: Allows consistent marking of codes, text, logos, and other identifiers.
• Compliance with automotive quality standards and regulations.

In which applications is UV marking technology used in the automotive industry?

• Interior and exterior plastic components: dashboards, connectors, housings, sensors
• Electrical and electronic systems: PCBs, modules, boards, wiring harnesses
• Automotive glass: windshields, windows, homologation and safety markings
• Technical labels and documentation: manuals, control cards, specialized packaging
• Anti-counterfeiting applications: invisible or discreet marking, visible only under UV light
• Identification for traceability: batches, dates, serial numbers, product codes
• Micro-marking on small or high-precision parts

How to solve traceability challenges with UV marking in the automotive industry?

Based on our experience at VINSSA, with more than 35 years as a TELESIS distributor, we recommend contacting us so that our application engineering team and line leaders can support you in ensuring the correct system selection and successful commissioning, as well as equipment inspections, preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance, spare parts, and the full technical support you require.

It is important to consider the following points:

1. Analyze the specific material and application
2. Clearly define traceability requirements
3. Integrate the marking system into existing automation
4. Ensure compatibility with vision systems and code readers