Direct part marking (DPM) puts a permanent code, serial number or logo straight onto a part, with no label. It is done with a laser marking machine or a dot peen marking machine, so the mark lasts as long as the part.
HeatSign supplies both laser markers and dot peen markers. So we recommend the machine that fits your part, not the one we want to sell.
Start with the mark. The mark you need decides which machine you need. Pick one below for the full guide.
HeatSign offers laser and dot peen direct part marking equipment. These five cover most jobs, from small flat parts to car frames. Current prices are on each product page.
Need black marks on anodized aluminum? See the MOPA fiber laser marking machine. Marking wood or painted parts? See the CO2 laser marking machine.
There are two ways to mark a part directly. A laser changes the surface with light. A dot peen marker presses small dots into the metal with a hard pin. HeatSign uses four types of laser, because each one suits different materials.
Dot peen
Fiber laser
MOPA fiber laser
UV laser
CO2 laser
Machine | Best materials | How deep | Still readable after paint or blasting? | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dot peen marking machinePin presses dots into the metal | Steel, iron, cast and forged parts, up to about 60 HRC | The deepest mark. Deeper in soft metal, shallower in hard metal. | Yes | Slower for 2D codes |
Fiber laser marking machineLaser light marks or removes the surface | All common metals, many plastics | Shallow in one pass. Deeper with more passes, but slower. | Only if engraved deep | Fast |
MOPA fiber laser marking machineFiber laser with a pulse you can adjust | Anodized aluminum, stainless steel, dark plastic | Mostly surface. Used for strong contrast. | No | Fast |
UV laser marking machineShort-wave light, very little heat | Plastic, glass, circuit boards, some metal | Surface only | No | Fast |
CO2 laser marking machineInfrared light for non-metals | Wood, leather, paper, many plastics, painted or anodized coatings. Not bare metal. | Removes the coating, or engraves non-metals | No | Fast |
Real depth depends on the material, its hardness and the machine settings. We test your part and tell you what depth to expect.
Laser marking on metal parts is like printing.
Dot Peen marking on a metal part is more like an engraving.
If post-treatment such as spraying or galvanizing is required, choose a dot peen engraver.
If you specifically want permanent marking by laser, then choose a laser marking machine.
Answer three simple questions, from top to bottom. Stop at the first answer that fits your part.
Will the part be painted, powder coated or sandblasted after marking?
What is the part made of?
Can the metal part come to a table?
Very hard metal (above about 60 HRC)? Use a laser. A dot peen pin cannot dent it.
Most marking problems come from four simple mistakes. Check them before you buy a machine.
Paint and powder coat fill a shallow laser mark and hide it. The part leaves with no readable ID.
A dot peen dent keeps its shape because the metal itself moved.
A scanner only shows that the code reads once. Your customer may check it with a verifier, which gives a quality grade.
The lowest score becomes the grade for the whole code. How DPM grading works
Polished metal reflects light straight into the reader. A good mark can still fail to scan.
A darker mark, or a lightly textured area, gives the reader more contrast.
It can. On thin sheet, the pin can push a dent through to the back face.
A laser does not touch the part, so the sheet stays flat.
Avoid these problems with the right machine
Tell us your part and material. We recommend the right DPM machine and send you a price.
Does your part need to meet a standard, or an industry rule? Each HeatSign guide below explains it in full.
Direct part marking (DPM) means putting a text, code, number or logo straight onto a part instead of using a label. It is done with a laser marking machine or a dot peen marking machine. The mark lasts as long as the part.
A label is stuck on and can peel, fade or burn off. A DPM mark is part of the surface, so it survives heat, oil and cleaning. The machine costs more at first, but there are no labels or ink to buy.
Most standards ask for a Data Matrix code (ECC200). It holds more data in less space than a barcode, and it can still be read when part of it is damaged.
Only if your customer asks for a grade. A scanner shows that a code reads. A verifier grades it against a standard such as ISO/IEC 29158 and reports the lowest score as your grade.
No. These standards check the mark, not the machine. Ask for test marks on your own part before you buy.
Yes. HeatSign marking software counts serial numbers and dates on its own. It can also read numbers from a CSV or TXT file, so nobody has to type them.
Every machine is tested before it ships by air express. You get a setup video, a user manual and free remote support by WhatsApp, email or remote desktop.
Tell us your part and material. HeatSign recommends the right machine and sends you a price.
For a fast quote, include:A photoThe materialWhat to mark
