Valves play an essential role in regulating the flow and pressure of fluids and gases. Thus, valve marking ensures easy identification of contents transported through the valves to prevent accidents.
There are many marking processes and machines suitable for this process. Below are a few recommended marking machines you could consider for your project.
The HS-FL20 20W Fiber Laser Marking Machine is highly flexible, requires low maintenance, and is convenient for every production process. It has an efficient air cooling system and can mark on any metal material.
The HS-DE04/HS-DE05 Metal Tag Engraving Machine is a robust and long-lasting machine suitable for valves’ metal plates marking . It delivers high-speed and high-precision marking on the marking tag and possible flat surfaces.
The HS-DP01-R Dot Peen Machine is a reliable and economical marking machine that supports part circle surface marking. It also offers high-speed and high-precision marking on your parts.
Valve marking is a process of inscribing critical information on valves using appropriate marking methods. It ensures proper and consistent identification for substances conveyed through the valves and eliminates accidents and injuries arising from improper valve identification.
In this article, we dive further into valve marking methods and their application in industries while highlighting essential factors you should consider in choosing a suitable marking process.
At a fundamental level, valves are a mechanical device that regulates the flow, pressure, and direction of liquids, vapors, and gases through a system.
There are various valves with different features and capabilities, each with different models and operational abilities. Your choice is dependent on what your production process needs. Valves are essential components of any piping system that transports fluid and gases.
The valve’s primary function is to regulate the flow and pressure of a medium in a system. Consequently, they are applicable in many industrial settings. Below is a list of various applications valves below;
Valves play are significant role in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, water and heating system in offices and homes.
Valves are applicable in boosting pipeline operations. They are also applicable in both upstream and downstream piping sections.
Valves are a vital tool in the marine sector; it helps regulate and control various ships and submarines components. The various purpose of valves in a ship is it helps in regulating power supply, storage of water, firefighting, water waste treatment.
Many marking methods are suitable for marking valves. However, choosing the best method for your production relies on various factors. Let’s discuss some valve marking processes you can use for your projects below;
Dot peen is a permanent marking process that creates small dots using a pin on valve parts. These dots or markings are highly readable. Consequently, dot peening is a common and essential valve marking process in diverse industries.
Dot peening is a very popular process in valve marking. This is because of its fucntions and how it makes valve marking easy. Below are some reasons why dot peening marking process should be your preferred plan.
The dot peen machine has a quick and easy installation process. Aside that, it is a effective and efficient process and can mark valve parts in extremely short amount of time. However, this depends on the experience of the designer.
These are reasons why many industries prefer using dot peen machines for valve marking. Dot peening can create deep permanent marks that are long-lasting and can withstand harsh conditions. The markings are also readable and of high quality despite having a low operational cost.
Dot peening marking is an efficient marking operation due to the ease of operation associated with most dot peening machine. For example, when you look at the recommended HS-DP01-R Dot Peen Part Marking Machine with Rotary Device, its flexible rotary head allows part circle surface marking. This enables the ability to inscribe a part without adjusting the machine. Other machines recommended are also easy to operate.
Dot peening marking has many advantages. However, it also has its disadvantages. For example, it subjects the valve to mechanical stress, which can be a problem if you are working with a material averse to that. Also, when used, there is an issue with noise pollution.
Nevertheless, it is an effective and efficient valve marking method.
Laser Engraving is a process that uses a laser beam to change an object’s surface. It uses high heat associated with a laser beam to vaporize and remove part of the valve to create the final image.
Laser engraving is an effective valve marking process for the following reasons:
Laser engraving is a permanent, non-contact, abrasion-resistant laser marking process compatible with many materials.
Laser engraving results in markings of very high readability. Consequently, it is an ideal valve marking method with utmost popularity.
Laser engraving machines are effective in low volume and high volume jobs. However, you must consider the type of laser marking machine before beginning the process.
The main limitation of using laser engraving in valve marking is that laser engraving machines are costly. Also, the use of laser engravers exposes the materials to thermal stress.
A prevalent method of valve marking is using metal tags. Valve tags enable the manufacturer to track products even in a very harsh industrial environment.
These valve tags can withstand high temperature, acids, cleaning process, and prolonged weather exposure even in extreme situations.
There are various ways of making metal tags for the valve marking process, below are some of these processes
Embossing is also a stamping process that raises and elevates the design or relief on the metal tags. This process involves matching opposite rollers dies or passing the metal between roles for a particular pattern. Embossing creates a 3-dimensional effect on your metal tags which is suitable for valve marking.
Stamping is another procedure of tagging on metal plates. Stamping involves marking the metal part by pressing on a mold bearing the indent. This process causes a permanent deformation to the structure of the metal. It causes an alteration in the crystal structure of the metal.
Instead of embossing or stamping, printing applies durable and long-lasting ink to form suitable valve tags on the metal plates.
Valve tagging is an effective valve marking process for the following reasons:
Metal tags can withstand difficult situations that these valves go through, such as acid bath, corrosion, and heat.
Metal tags on the valve are durable and last for a very long time without little or no deformation. It is not easy to alter metal tags that are permanent on the valves.
There are varieties of metal tags due to the various colors, sizes, and styles. This variety enables you to tailor the type of valve tags you need for a specific environment.
There are several factors to consider before selecting the suitable valve marking process to use. Some of these factors go beyond the workings of the marking process. However, let’s briefly look at some factors to consider in selecting the best method.
It’s not enough to be familiar with various marking processes. It is essential that before you decide on your options, you look at the entire production process and visualize the whole life cycle of the part.
It is essential to have an end-to-end listing of conditions; for example, Metal parts galvanized after marking can be used for bold, deep dot pen marks, while extreme heat and shock can erase even deep dot peen marks. How will the location of your marking station downstream affect your choice in marking technology?
Your budget is also an important factor to consider in valve marking. You must choose a method that balances efficiency, effectiveness, and cost. You can check through the list of laser marking machines recommended above for the cost and functional rating.
Code readability also plays an important role in your choice of valve marking process. For example, both laser and dot-peen technologies can produce sharp, high-contrast marks that are easily readable. However, high-resolution laser engraving is often better if you need sharpness.
Many industries today use valve marking as a means of identification. Therefore, there is a need for an effective marking strategy.
To help choose the right method and machines, this article introduced valve marking. It then talked about the various marking processes to use and factors always to consider before selecting a marking method.
Searching for a high-quality valve marking machine should not be a hassle. With Heatsign, you can access quality marking machines that guarantee a quality marking process.
