The Director reported to his colleagues that
not only was their insurance cover invalid but
they also faced the loss of a major customer
and being dragged through the Courts.
After considering all their options, rightly or
wrongly, through gritted teeth, the Board
decided to settle.
A nightmare situation for the OEM but,
with the spread of counterfeiting across all
engineering sectors, heightened by threat of
3D printing, what could they do to prevent it
happening again?
They called SmartWater.
SmartWater is the most highly accredited
company of its type in World, working closely
with and trusted by both European and US
Government agencies. We create millions of
datasets in a liquid or solid format, which can
either be embedded within a component or
directly onto its surface, thereby providing
it with a unique weather and fire resistant
‘forensic’ signature.
It was noted that thousands of bolts passed
along conveyor belts prior to packing.
Consequently, a ‘robot’ arm with a misting
head was inserted that sprayed every bolt
with a unique forensic signature, assigned for
the exclusive use of the OEM.
Despite bearing the OEM’s logo, this bolt was a counterfeit
The minimal costs and no disruption of
the production process, with a distinctive
ultraviolet indicator was added for easy onsite
detection. Later on, the OEM decided to
change the formula every production run, a
simple process, so that the production data
could be recovered, even years after the bolt
had been fitted.
In future, should a similar claim arise,
SmartWater scientists could inspect the bolt
and, through forensic analysis of the smallest
speck, determine within hours whether or
not it was genuine and, if it was, recover
all the production data. If challenged, the
scientists would provide expert testimony in a
Tribunal or Court in support of the OEM.
Contact SmartWater via:
Telephone: +44 (0)333 320 7797
Email: supplychain@smartwater.com
Website: www.smartwater.com/
engineering-solutions/
Issue 41 PECM
43