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Lasers > Laser Marking Processes

Product Traceability

Product Traceability is the ability of a maufacturer to trace a product through its processing procedures and to also have the ability to re-trace a product back to the manufacturer.
It is the ability to trace the history, application or location of an entity by means of recorded identifications.
Having equipment itself, like barcode printers, Ink Jet, Scanners, Print & Apply Systems etc. will not be enough. The combination of all information makes traceability.
In most cases, product traceability is monitored by the use of a part or lot number.
By assigning a lot number/label to the products a company has the ability to single out quality related issues, improve inventory accountability, distinguish product for individual customers and maintain inventory control.
Product Traceability systems are being used to help the overall quality in the manufacturing process.
Product Traceability also provides a company the ability to store and retrieve the events that took place during processing and the ability to monitor and cahnge those processes.

Acquisition Instrument identification no.

CONTRACT F33657-80-C-0310

Bar Coded Design activity identification (DAI)

Bar coded manufacturer enterprise identifier

CURR PART NO 55B123456789-10

Bar coded Part or Identification Number (PIN)

NSN 580-00-480-1234

Bar coded NSN

Data Matrix symbol compilation of identification data

Government ownership designation

Engrave Marking

Commonly used in plastics
Contrast can occur naturally in some plastics by heat or coupling with a wavelength causing a chemical change
Additives can be used with most plastics to achieve different colors
One of the example of Speciality Marking is Product Traceability shown below:

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Surface Etching

Ability to change the surface finish of a metal thus altering its reflectivity and enhancing contrast
Penetration depth is typically no more than 0.0001” deep
One of the most common forms of laser marking

Ablating

Removes a coating, paint, or other surface treatment from a base material to create contrast without damaging the base material
Typically done with anodized aluminum, backlit buttons, and painted steel

Thermal Marking

Controls heat using different laser parameters such as marking speed, pulse frequency, power, and focus
Applied to certain alloys resulting in color variations (i.e. titanium)

Speciality Marking

Contact Information

Vaporization of base material sufficient to produce depth required, typically 0.0001” to 0.005”
Vaporization process identical to surface etching
Increased depth of the mark requires repeated passes

Surface Annealing

Draws carbon and/ or oxides from the base material to get contrasting mark
Marking beam produces sharp contrasting line to surrounding area with little or no penetration.
Excellent for applications such as medical implants, bearings, tooling, or other applications where a smooth, undamaged surface and contrast is important

Applied Manufacturing Technologies, Inc.






Home Automation Systems Part Handling Systems Heat Transfer/Hot Stamping Pad Printing Conveyors Lasers Ink Jet Printing Welding Special Machines Request Quotation Company Contract Mfg Services Contact Us Laser Marking Processes Lasers > Laser Marking Processes Product Traceability Product Traceability is the ability of a maufacturer to trace a product through its processing procedures and to also have the ability to re-trace a product back to the manufacturer. It is the ability to trace the history, application or location of an entity by means of recorded identifications. Having equipment itself, like barcode printers, Ink Jet, Scanners, Print & Apply Systems etc. will not be enough. The combination of all information makes traceability. In most cases, product traceability is monitored by the use of a part or lot number. By assigning a lot number/label to the products a company has the ability to single out quality related issues, improve inventory accountability, distinguish product for individual customers and maintain inventory control. Product Traceability systems are being used to help the overall quality in the manufacturing process. Product Traceability also provides a company the ability to store and retrieve the events that took place during processing and the ability to monitor and cahnge those processes. MIL-STD Acquisition Instrument identification no. CONTRACT F33657-80-C-0310 SER NO 8 Bar coded serial number DES ACT 12345 Bar Coded Design activity identification (DAI) EID MFR 54321 Bar coded manufacturer enterprise identifier CURR PART NO 55B123456789-10 Bar coded Part or Identification Number (PIN) NSN 580-00-480-1234 Bar coded NSN Data Matrix symbol compilation of identification data Government ownership designation Engrave Marking Commonly used in plastics Contrast can occur naturally in some plastics by heat or coupling with a wavelength causing a chemical change Additives can be used with most plastics to achieve different colors One of the example of Speciality Marking is Product Traceability shown below: Back PRINT THIS PAGE Surface Etching Ability to change the surface finish of a metal thus altering its reflectivity and enhancing contrast Penetration depth is typically no more than 0.0001” deep One of the most common forms of laser marking Ablating Removes a coating, paint, or other surface treatment from a base material to create contrast without damaging the base material Typically done with anodized aluminum, backlit buttons, and painted steel Thermal Marking Controls heat using different laser parameters such as marking speed, pulse frequency, power, and focus Applied to certain alloys resulting in color variations (i.e. titanium) Speciality Marking Contact Information