Both laser marking machines and dot peen marking machines have their advantages and disadvantages. They are both great tools to have for particular industries, but you should choose which one is most appropriate for your business, based on the following factors:
Accuracy
A laser marking machine is far more accurate and create more readable marks than a dot peen machine. Laser machines are mark with a square cell configuration which is why they are more legible and easier on the eye. Dot peen marking machines, as you may have guessed, mark with a round dot imprint.
Affordability
Dot peen marking machines are more affordable and comprised of significantly smaller components when compared to a laser marking machine. Dot peen machines may be easier to integrate into your business because of these factors, but as technology develops, it is easy to see the dot peen machine becoming antiquated. Despite the associated price tag with a laser marking machine, it will maintain relevance for significantly longer and thus, you will get your money worth for your investment.
Speed
Laser marking systems are known for their speed and accuracy and can create a simple 2D design in about half a second. A dot peen marker on the other hand could take up to five seconds to complete the same design. Now, while this may not seem like a significant amount of time to most people, if you have many parts to mark or many items to design, this difference could have a significant impact on your output ability.
Appropriateness
These machines are not appropriate for every industry, for example, dot peen marking machines are preferred by the automotive sector for a good reason, despite all its short comings. Because a dot peen marking machine creates its design by making an imprint, the marking has no sharp edges or weak spots that could compromise an integral part. A laser marking machine uses heat to cut into the material which can cause fluctuations in the strength of certain materials and create sharp points that could become focal points for stress. These are important factors when considering parts that may be used inside a mechanism that functions under severe heat or pressure.
Guidelines
Certain government bodies (Department of Defense) require clear, unique and readable identity codes, which is best achieved through a laser marking machine. The laser machine guarantees accurate traceability and verification of parts, as well as easily readable codes or marks throughout the manufacturing process. This is critical for not only meeting government mandates, but also for manufactures to keep an accurate record of what’s in their warehouses and what’s not.
Both of these machines have their merits, but they aren’t always both appropriate for every given situation. Although the laser marking machine does seem to be the way of the future, it is clear that the dot peen marking machine will continue to have a place in some industries, even if it means becoming a very specific machine for a niche market.
To learn more about laser marking machines and what’s available, visit us at HeatSign today.
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