Industrial marking or micropercussion refers to the identification of products through
logos, texts or codes for the management of traceability control systems. This can be done through various technologies:
- Term printing: The information is stamped using heat that is done on an engraving covered with a film of paint. This technology does not allow printing barcodes, although it can be used through a variation of technology using thermal printing and laser.
- Digital term: This marking can only be done on one side, but it is used to high-definition prints of numbers, barcodes, logos, etc.
- injected ink: It is the industrial marking system best known for its economy. The resolution is lower, but it is good for marking barcodes, not for logos.
- mold engraving: Information is displayed in relief through the use of a plastic carved mold. The system is completely customized.
- laser printing: It is one of the safest markings because it cannot be erased and it does not allow counterfeiting. Pressure marking: Which we will talk about a little more in depth.
What is micropercussion?
Known as micro-needle marking, dot marking or
dot peen marking, this industrial marking works very similar to matrix printers (those old printers with a very characteristic sound), but instead of marking paper, it does so on hard pieces that allow deformation. Dot peen marking works on plastic, wood, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, hardened steel and other parts. Soft materials that cushion the blow (such as rubber) are ruled out for micropercussion, but are allowed.
plastics ABS, PA, PC, PE, BET, PMMA, acrylic or methacrylate, POM - PBT and PP.
Micropercussion comes in handy for the steel sector, as it works to fulfill the function in ingots and bars. It is also used in the automotive industry, in the machining industry, metallurgy and machinery manufacturers.
How is it done?
Marking by micropercussion is carried out through a
oscillating marking tip that impacts on the chosen material. Each point-hit is done consecutively and at high speed, generating different characters. An electromagnet excites the core and makes the punch that marks the piece descend to return to the starting point through a spring. This type of marking does not cause damage to the physical or chemical characteristics of the material.
Advantages of micropercussion marking
This type of industrial marking has many advantages, including the following:
- The marking technology is clean. It does not generate pollution or chips.
- The marking is of adjustable depth in any material.
- The investment cost is low. No consumable materials are used, and the only replaceable part (for wear) is the marking punch (whose lifespan ranges from 1.000.000 impacts) and the return spring.
- Marking on pieces of different variables (flat and cylindrical).
- It does not require specialized maintenance operations.
- Fast and automatic action.
- Marking of logos, characters and Datamatrix codes of all kinds.
- Ease of operational management.
- The marking is durable and of very good quality.