Markingmethods Marking Methods Paper
2009-05-25
: Microscan Marking Methods Paper marking_methods_paper industrysolutions
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Automotive Industry Application White Paper Review and Selection of Direct Part Marking Methods While the overall concept of product tracking is not new, the automated tracking of products down to the individual part and component level has proven to have great bottom-line impact. The most direct way to ensure complete quality control of the production process is to mark objects with a machinereadable symbols and track them through the entire life cycle. Assessing Your Application Since each application is at least somewhat unique, you should know the answers to the following questions before selecting a marking method: what type and how much data will you need to encode, how much real estate is available for the symbol, is symbol permanency a concern and who will be using the information. Many Marking Methods Are Available There are many methods to directly mark objects. Selecting the best method for the application is critical to achieving success. Each method has its own advantages and limitations. Since each method has its own advantages and limitations, it is important to review and experiment with as many methods as possible before selecting the best one for your application. Electrochemical Etch: This process uses a low voltage current to mark the object surface. This is commonly used for low volume product runs. Ink Jet: This type of marking uses small, dots sprayed directly onto the surface. Ink jet produces high contrast marks. Ink jet is not considered a permanent marking method. Laser Etch: Lasers etch the symbol directly onto a surface. Clean, high resolution marks are produced making laser-etch well-suited for automated environments. Dot Peen: Dot peen is a percussive marking method, using changes in depth to create marks. Dot peen is recommended for applications where the symbol must last the entire life cycle. On the following pages, a wide range of marking methods are discussed, including advantages and disadvantages. 1 Automotive Industry Application White Product LinePaper Card Marking Method Ink Jet on substrate Description Contrast levels vary widely, round element shape Application: - Post-packaging - Warehousing - Automotive Pre-printed packaging Typically high contrast, square element shape Application: - Product labeling - Product packaging - Document processing Thermal transfer label stock High contrast, typically black on white label stock, square element shape Application: - Product labeling - Packaging - WIP tracking, various industries Laser etch on silk screen High contrast, square & round element shape Application: - Electronics Advantages & Disadvantages Advantage: - Low-entry cost - High speed - Easy to read if contrast is good Disadvantage: - Not considered permanent by some industry standards - Dot registration can vary - Higher cost consumables - Mark quality dependant on surface cleanliness - Difficult to read if contrast poor Advantage: - Economical - High speed - Good contrast - Easy to read Disadvantage: - Less flexibility Advantage: - High contrast - Low-entry cost - Easy to read Disadvantage: - Not permanent - Higher cost: consumables Advantage: - Good contrast - No consumables - Permanent Disadvantage: - Displaces surface - Process creates debris Ink jet on plastic 2 High or low contrast, round element shape Advantage: - Limited damage to surface Application: - Bio-science - Pharmaceuticals - Packaging Disadvantage: - Higher cost consumables - Not permanent - Bleeding can affect mark quality Review and Selection of Direct Part Marking Methods Automotive Industry Application White Paper Marking Method Thermal print on foil packaging Ink jet on glass Description Typically good contrast, square element shape Advantage: - Economical Application: - Pharmaceutical Packaging Disadvantage: - Reflective nature of marking method may require additional lighting - Deformation of surface may affect readability of code Good contrast, round element shape Advantage: - High contrast - Low entry cost - Limited damage to surface Application: - Pharmaceutical Packaging - Clinical R&D - Electronics Laser etch on metal Low contrast, square element shape Application: - Electronics - Automotive - Aerospace - DOD - Medical device Laser etch on glass epoxy Advantages & Disadvantages Medium contrast, square element shape Application: - Electronics Disadvantage: - Not permanent - Bleeding can affect mark quality Advantage: - Permanent - No consumables - High quality mark Disadvantage: - Process creates debris - Affects surface of substrate Advantage: - Permanent - No consumables - High quality mark Disadvantage: - Process creates debris - Lack of contrast; difficult to read - Affects surface of substrate Chem etch on metal Typically medium contrast, square element shape Application: - Electronics - Semiconductor - DOD - Aerospace - Medical device 3 Advantage: - Permanent - High quality mark - No debris from process Disadvantage: - Potentially toxic material byproduct - Low-volume use only Review and Selection of Direct Part Marking Methods Automotive Industry Application White Product LinePaper Card Marking Method Chem etch on silicon Description Advantages & Disadvantages Typically medium contrast, square element shape Advantage: - Permanent - High quality mark - No debris from process Application: - Semiconductor Disadvantage: - Potentially toxic material byproduct - Potentially complex process Dot peen on smooth, highly reflective metal Low contrast, dependant on difference in depth to create light and dark elements. Round or square element shape, dependant on shape of stylus Application: - Automotive - Aerospace - DOD Dot peen on textured metal Low contrast, dependant on difference in depth to create light and dark elements. Round or square element shape, dependant on shape of stylus Application: - Automotive - Aerospace - DOD Laser etch on rubber Very low contrast, square or round element shape Application: - Automotive Advantage: - Permanent - No consumables Disadvantage: - Alters surface - Low contrast mark - More difficult to read - Inconsistent depth will create smaller elements - Background noise Advantage: - Permanent - No consumables Disadvantage: - Alters surface - Low contrast mark - Very difficult to read, due to high degree of surface noise created by texture Advantage: - Permanent - No consumables Disadvantage: - Process creates debris - Affects surface of substrate www.microscan.com Product Information: info@microscan.com Auto ID Support: helpdesk@microscan.com 4 Vision Support: visionsupport@microscan.com NERLITE Support: nerlitesupport@microscan.com ©2008 Microscan Systems, Inc. 11/08
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