Views: 14 Author: Leapion Publish Time: 04-28-2022 Origin: https://www.leapion.com/
Recently, manufacturing, direct part marking takes an important place. 2D data matrix codes, serial numbers, and 1D barcodes are often mandatory to implement traceability for plastic and metal parts. These are often considered safety critical or of high value.
Manufacturers who need permanent markings for traceability typically have two options: dot peen marking or laser marking. Between these two technologies, the choice is not always easy. To understand which one is a better option for your marking needs, we'll go over their respective strengths and weaknesses in this article.
Dot peen marking machines, also known as pin stamping or pin marking machines, use small pins made of a rigid material, such as carbide or diamond, to locally indent the parts to be marked. By hitting the surface with these pins, dot peen machines leave small holes that permanently change the part's roughness and visual aspect.
The pin's movements and force of impact can be ensured by two types of systems.
Pneumatic dot peen markers move the stylus using compressed air, providing a stronger impact to mark harder materials like steel. One of the downsides of this option is the need for an additional utility for the compressed air.
Electromechanical systems move the stylus using electromagnetic force. They provide increased precision compared to pneumatic machines. Since their impact force is lower, they are better suited for plastics or softer metals
Portable dot peen machines are easy to hold in one hand and allow operators to move around the shop and mark various items.
Benchtop dot peen machines are ideal to engrave tags, plates, and similar items at a steady location.
Integrated dot peen machines can be integrated in production lines to automatically mark parts without requiring human intervention.
While dot peen marking systems operate by mechanically hitting parts with a stylus, laser marking machines operate by changing part surfaces with laser light. A micro change in the surface texture or a localized heating of the part will change its visual aspect, creating markings that have a high contrast.
To sweep the laser over the material and create the marking, the beam is reflected using two mirrors whose orientations are controlled by a dedicated controller. Laser parameters can be optimized for each application to control the process with unmatched precision.
The most common types of laser systems used to mark parts are fiber lasers and CO2 lasers:
Fiber lasers use an optical fiber cable to guide laser light with unmatched precision. The ones used for laser marking typically operate at 1064 nm, a wavelength that is ideal to mark metals, but also other materials like plastic or rubber. Fiber lasers have a compact design and can easily operate for over 10 years with minimal maintenance.
CO2 lasers are less compact than fiber lasers and typically emit at a wavelength of 10.6 μm that is ideal to process organic materials like fabrics, cardboard, plastics, polymers and so on.
Like dot peen systems, laser machines can be integrated multiple ways:
Tabletop lasers are ideal to engrave personal items such as jewelry and trophies.
Laser workstations allow an operator to mark a steady flow of parts and automatically change the configuration for different types of parts. These stations can be moved around the shopfloor and are very efficient when equipped with a rotary table.
Automated laser machines are meant for fully automated production lines that process a high volume of parts. They are quite common in smelting plants, casting plants, and assembly lines.
If you are interested in the laser marking machines, contact a Leapion expert. We can guide you through our workstations, production line solutions and laser systems.
