FOCUS ON MARKING
“ The chosen marking solution will be driven by several factors including material , application , budget and time restraints .”
An etching example .
MAKING YOUR MARK
We present a selection of common and permanent / semi-permanent metal marking methods to help manufacturers optimise production and reduce costs .
There are many reasons why marking metal parts is important . From code compliance to brand marketing and even packaging , adding the appropriate part or package marking to the production process can bring many benefits to a manufacturer . These include increased brand visibility , increased part adoption , inventory tracking and more .
“ Before looking at different marking methods , it is important that manufacturers first understand their production requirements . A good start is to ask the following questions . Answering them is the first step to understanding the benefits of different marking and etching methods ,” Cougartron , a manufacturer of stainless-steel surface treatment and passivation solutions , explained .
■ Equipment portability and usage : Will you require a portable machine that can be moved around easily and used on-site ?
■ Material type : Do you need to mark / etch metal only ?
■ Cost : How much money are you ready to invest in the equipment ?
■ Functionality : Do you need to etch , mark or both ?
■ Quality : Are high-resolution mark and etc . results desirable in your line of work ?
■ Speed : Is speed a relevant factor for your production ?
Permanent metal marking
Permanent marking on metal , whether stainless steel , aluminium , titanium , brass or copper , presents challenges but can be done in a number of ways .
“ When you ’ re looking to make a permanent mark on metal , there are a few options for how the mark can be achieved . Any marking method which removes part of the metal itself to create the mark will be an option ; this includes etching and engraving methods . Surface marking methods are also options , although they typically rely on durable , long-lasting ink being applied to the surface which can be somewhat cumbersome and is not always an ideal solution for harsher applications ,” commented Matt Martin of Durable Technologies .
“ The type of metal being marked will sometimes dictate which marking method is best . For instance , while very hard metals could be stamped with an impact press package , a more effective solution might be a laser marking system ( depending upon specific requirements ). Alternatively , application requirements can dictate which marking method to choose . Permanent marking on metal fabrications that will be exposed to corrosive chemicals or harsh environments might be better suited to the types of deep marks made by steel type , rather than the surface marks of an inkjet printer ,” he continued .
Other important factors to consider include location of the mark to be made , connectivity
38 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2022