Solution of the Month: Product Identification using Laser Marking and Engraving
Product Branding
Product identification is one of the most common uses for laser marking and engraving.
Product identification is not only simple branding with company logos for products, but also includes important and complex product tracking and traceability. Part numbers, lot numbers, and patent numbers are some of the few key pieces of information that are marked or engraved daily on products.
Permanent
Laser marking is a benefit to product identification as it is permanent to the product. It cannot be lost or removed like a sticker. I cannot be cleaned or rubbed off like printing.
Permanence can be achieved through engraving or ablating product material. This can also be achieved by marking on top of the product directly or on top of a coating on the products. Wet paint, powder coat, electro plating and many others are no problem. With lasers being computer controlled, information can be static, customizable or variable and changed on the fly with processing.
Human Readable
Product identification includes human readable information such as websites, company names, product names, part numbers, lot numbers, serial numbers and more. Non-human readable information such as 1D bar codes, 2D cell codes and QR codes are all possible as well.
Product Identification and Traceability
