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Conventional barcodes such as Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are gaining traction in various applications that range from checkout and inventory control in retail sales, to automated systems that track parts in manufacturing facilities.
In the processing of metal components, barcodes are often marked directly on the surface of the parts. This is because labels can become defaced or fall off, especially in harsh manufacturing environments. Image-based readers are deployed to reliably read and capture information from the codes.
In order to store the information in smaller spaces and to increase character content, two-dimensional barcodes have been developed.
The Data Matrix is one of them, which has been adopted as a standard. It places square or round cells in a rectangular pattern, and its borders consist of two adjacent solid sides (the ‘L’) with the opposite sides made up of equally spaced dots. Up to 50 characters can be stored in a 3mm square.
Using this symbology, information that pertains to raw materials, work-in-progress or finished goods can be stored in the barcode, eg: manufacturer, part number, lot number, and serial number.
Marking parts wi th lasers, dot-peening, electrochemical etching, and ink-jet printing, are methods that are available to manufacturers. Each technique offers benefits for different applications, and its suitability depends on factors such as part life expectancy, material composition, likely environmental wear and tear, and production volume. The surface texture of a part influences the choice, as well as the amount of data that the mark needs to hold, the available space for printing, and the mark's location.
? Dot-Peening
A carbide or diamond-tipped stylus pneumatically or electromechanically strikes the material surface. In certain cases, the surface needs to be prepared before marking, in order to improve the legibility of the mark. A reader adjusts lighting angles to enhance contrast between the indentations forming the symbol and the part surface. The success of this method is dependent on ensuring adequate dot size and shape, by adhering to prescribed maintenance procedures on the marker. The stylus tip also needs to be monitored for excessive wear. This approach is popular with industries such as automotives and aerospace.