Category: Direct Part Marking (DPM)

Fundamentals of Direct Part Marking

11/17/2021

When people think of direct part marking the first thing the often comes to mind is steel marking dies

In essence, Direct Part Marking (DPM) is applying identification that lasts from cradle to grave and will sustain very rugged environments. Many US government agencies are making unique device identification (UDI) and direct part marking (DPM), mandatory. The private sector, from automotive manufacturers to medical offices have been using DPM more and more as they have embraced the Deming Principles of TQM.

Direct Part Marking is used most frequently when marks are needed on a variety metals, plastics and wood. Common equipment solutions range from traditional hand stamping processes to cutting edge technology of fiber laser marking. Direct part marking is often a less costly alternative to purchasing RFID tags.

When to Choose Direct Part Marking

The part is too small for a barcode label
The item will be exposed to environmental conditions that traditional labeling may not withstand
When it could be more cost effective to DPM over barcode labels
If identification or data must be tracked throughout the life of the item
If the item could be marked during the manufacturing process
The ability to track items in high-temperatures and other harsh environments
Providing more accurate and reliable part identification
Preventing errors in just-in-sequence production
Eliminating manual data collection approaches for inspections, inventories, and maintenance reports
Ensuring the lifetime traceability of each part
Enabling track-and-trace initiatives that provide chain-of-custody tracking and protect against product diversion
Reducing or eliminating counterfeit parts by providing end-to-end traceability using a method that is difficult to duplicate, and doesn’t rely on package marking
Enabling more comprehensive inventory management

Direct Part Marking Options

Laser marking

Traditional options range from steel hand stamps and holder/type arrangements to various numbering and impact presses, including roll marking machines
Advanced technologies such as dot peen, scribe and laser marking machines enable marking processes to be done automatically communicating with other manufacturing technologies and allow the addition of machine readable codes for component traceability.

2D Codes: Most Popular for Direct Part Marking

In most cases, direct part marking applications use two-dimensional (2D) barcodes such as Datamatrix or QR Code, which carry much more data than linear (1D) barcodes. By using 2D barcodes, manufacturers can also identify very small items and parts.

Dot peen vs vibra peen vs scribe DPM Part marking

Dot Peen vs Vibra Peen vs Scribe and a 2D QR code

2D codes can pack a large amount of data as opposed to linear codes because they can carry data in two directions on the code vs. just one. To give you an idea of the relative size, a 1D barcode can store around 25 characters up to about 80 characters depending on whether it’s Code 128 or Code 39, but a 2D code can store up to 2,000 characters.

In the automotive sector, there is an established standard (AIAG B11) for direct part marking, and a number of large auto OEMs like Ford require suppliers of certain components to use DPM for part traceability.

Manufacturers like to use the 2D code not only for the storage capacity, but for their relative size as well (square vs. rectangular). The flexibility of a 2D code allows for the variation in the amount of information stored in the barcode as well as the size of the item being marked. The most popular uses of the mark are for applications that require:

Traceability
Verification & Error Proofing
Part Identification

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Kurt J. Lesker Company Finds Success With New Gravotech Portable Dot Peen Machine

8/18/2021

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Gravotech Technifor XM500 - A portable Dot-Peen Solution

Kurt J. Lesker Company® (KJLC®) is the leading global provider of high-quality vacuum equipment, that services the LEDs, Optics, UHV/Synchrotrons, Electronics, Wear and Decorative Coatings and R&D markets.

Leading Marks tested and installed a Gravotech XM500 ENv2 LM portable dot peen part marking system. The Gravotech - Technifor XM500 is a lightweight and robust portable marking machine with an ultra-compact design that allows you to mark where you want, when you want. It can be used for marking small and large parts as well as parts with complex shapes and difficult to access areas. Combined with the new XCOM Control Unit, the XM500 is the most comfortable and intuitive marking machine on the market!

According to Roxanne Shurtz, CNC Supervisor at Kurt J. Lesker Company, "Leading Marks was able to answer any questions that I had. The technical support was knowledgeable and efficient. I appreciated Leading Mark’s quick response time, knowledge of products, and product availability."

Our new Gravotech, handheld dot peen tool gives us the ability to quickly change our marking needs from job to job. The production staff finds it easy to understand and use. I would recommend Leading Marks because of their outstanding customer service and knowledge. They offer innovative products and ideas."

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TRC Services Reduces Processing Time From 45 Seconds to Just a Few

12/11/2018

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TRC Services Inc. offers a full suite of Sucker Rod Products and Services is designed to help your rod pumping operation work more efficiently in the most cost-effective manner.

"We found Leading Marks through a web search as we looked to improve our current dot peen equipment as we implemented the marking of the API monogram to our products." said Stephen Ewing, Quality Manager at
Total Rod Concepts (aka TRC Services Inc).

Stephen continues, " The team at Leading Marks was able to answer all of our questions all the way through; from the sourcing of products to setup and installation of our Durable Mecco spring loaded impact press. They provided knowledgeable feedback and guided us through the process with rapid responses and the utmost professionalism."

"One of the things we liked best about working with Leading Marks is her team’s ability to suggest multiple solutions to our needs, take our situation, and run with it."

"Many times we have found ourselves dealing with vendors who are looking for you to have done all the work prior to speaking with them and just place an order. This was not the case as Leading Marks came along side of us and got us a setup and equipment that works for us."

"The implementation of the marking equipment from Leading Marks was able to take the current application and reduce its processing time from 30-45 seconds down to a couple of seconds!

"We were able to take a process that was holding up our entire production line and make it one of the fastest and most efficient processes that we do."

The API Monogram is a voluntary licensing program that facilitates the consistent manufacturing of product that conforms to applicable API Specifications. Licensed manufacturers are given the authority to apply the API Monogram registered mark to equipment that meets the requirements.

"We would absolutely recommend Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks to other companies that have marking and traceability challenges because the customer service before and after the sale and the ongoing technical support is fantastic. The products are top of the line and performance has changed our processing for the better."

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NEWS

Fundamentals of Direct Part Marking

When to Choose Direct Part Marking

Direct Part Marking Options

2D Codes: Most Popular for Direct Part Marking

Kurt J. Lesker Company Finds Success With New Gravotech Portable Dot Peen Machine

TRC Services Reduces Processing Time From 45 Seconds to Just a Few

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