For making permanent, low-cost, accurate markings on a variety of parts, dot peen marking machines are the option many manufacturers prefer. Diverse industries such as automotive, metalworking, and aerospace rely on them.
The engraving pin creates small dots on the part, which join to form symbols like numbers, letters, and graphics outline.
Dot peen marking is necessary for many industries to mark different types of parts. Let’s take a look at the various applications of this engraving technology in detail.
Metal Tag Engraving
Dot peen marking machines are ideal for nameplate or metal tag engraving in cases where you cannot apply your mark directly to the part.
Of all marked tag options, engraved metal tags are the most durable. They are tough and can endure the punishing conditions of the industries they are built for.
Metal tag examples include steel, aluminum, and brass engraved tags. They are perfect for marking pipes, valves, and assets in industrial settings. You can also use them for property inventory, pet identification, cattle identification, and Vin numbering.
A good example of a case where nameplate engraving is necessary is when a traditional label is too big for a particular labeling environment. In such a case, you need something smaller and more agile. Metal tag engraving is the best choice.
After marking the nameplate or metal tag, you attach it firmly on the outside of the part.
Many companies supply metal tag engraving machines which use dot peen, scribing, or laser technologies.
Nameplates are made to last. Once the nameplate is attached to the product, it will carry the manufacturer’s name, serial number, production date, and so forth for many years to come without requiring refreshing or replacement.
Dot peen marking technology incurs low operational costs without sacrificing quality. You can engrave numbers, letters, symbols and graphical elements on to your nameplate even in unique designs.
Dot peen technology comes in two types: the older pneumatic dot peen systems(need air pressure power support) and the electric dot peen marking machines.
Electric dot peen metal tag engraving machines have enough strength to apply deep, lasting marks on the tag. On the other hand, they are also gentle on the material, so they do not deform the thin metal tags/plates.
Mechanical Parts Processing and Equipment
Dot peen engraving is useful for marking a variety of mechanical parts in different industries. These include tools, gears, metal tubes, pumps, fasteners, valves, drive shafts, engine blocks, cylinder heads, and so forth.
The engrave content can be characters text, logos, numbers, graphic outline and 2D data matrix and so on.
The technology is appropriate for industrial use as well as inscribing parts in a small workshop. Depending on your particular need, you can either purchase a fixed dot peen machine or a hand held pin marker.
Some of the mechanical parts and equipment happen to be circled or have rounded parts. Such include tubes, fittings, bearings, flanges, pipes, and bottles.
Round parts engraving is tricky. Only machines that contain specific rotary fixtures can do the job. Electric dot peen marking systems are good at this.
The rotary fixture enables the part to rotate at the speed of the engraving pin.
Thanks to this unique ability, the resulting marks are as good as those made on flat surfaces.
However, the rotary device is not always enough, for instance when you have pipes or tubes that are too large for the system. In such instances, you can’t place the part on the desktop.
As a remedy, some machine designs come equipped with a big rotary chuck and flexible moving marking head. With this machine, a manufacturer can mark large circled parts at a quick pace.
The flexible etching head enables the manufacturer to inscribe a part without having to adjust the machine.
The established practice when marking pipes is to provide information about the pipe as well as its contents. Pipe imprints communicate the material, thickness, size, and flow direction of the pipes, in addition to the manufacturer identifying marks. Pipe identification also includes pipe contents and color code.
Automotive Part Marking and Vin Marking
The automotive industry involves the manufacturing, design, development, marketing, and selling of cars. It does not include industries that deal with maintenance of motor vehicles.
Dot peen technology is valuable in this industry for engine block marking, marking automotive sensors, marking on chassis (VIN marking), traceability of exhaust systems, identification of motorcycle parts, and so forth.
The marking needs of the automotive industry include:
- Engine parts: gear, engine block, pistons, camshaft, cylinder, piston rod, crankshaft.
- Fuel supply system: injection system, air cleaner, fuel pump, alternator, starter, water case, radiator.
- Gear case: gears, shaft, bearings, body valve.
- Chassis: body panels, doors, car frames.
- Power and steering system: brake components, wheels, shock absorber, driver shaft, transmission part, suspension arm.
- Interior components: seat belt, air-conditioning, dashboard, cigarette lighter.
- Exhaust system: exhaust system, particulate filter, catalyst converter, muffler manifold, silencer.
- Sensors & switch: air flow sensor, oil pressure sensor, multi-function plug, heating control.
- Lighting: head lamp, taillight, fog lamp.
Vin Marking
VIN stands for “Vehicle Identification Number”. This identification number is marked on the body of the car. It provides vehicle traceability throughout the manufacturing process as well as after the car leaves the factory.
The traceability advantage of VIN numbers helps reduce the number of cars that are recalled when a manufacturer wants to replace faulty components.
Besides, engraving the VIN number on various parts reduces the car’s attractiveness to an intruder. It is not easy to sell parts that have serial number marking.
It is not possible to remove a pin marking from a part without affecting its surface mechanically. Cars that have custom engraving return to their owner after theft 35% more often than cars that do not have such marking.
Vibro Peen Marking in Automotive Industry
Electric dot peen marking is also known as vibro peen marking. It is useful in the automotive industry because it can make quality automotive engravings at a high marking speeds.
In addition, the markings are durable and last through the processes of transportation, storage, and regular use of the goods.
Vibro peen automotive engraving is resistant to chemical compounds, abrasives, and temperature changes.
Furthermore, this permanent marking is also applicable to hot-rolled goods.
Dot Peen Marking Cars and Motorcycles
Manufacturers direct part mark (DPM) cars and motorcycles using dot peen technology to ease identification and recognition of the marked parts. Below are the benefits of doing so:
- Useful in case of warranty issues.
- Necessary when replacing or reordering parts.
- Provides data logging for safety.
- Useful in retrieving stolen vehicles.
- To comply with regulatory requirements.
- Enable identification by treatment facilities.
- To discourage potential hijackers.
Aerospace Industry Part Marking
The aerospace industry involves the researching, designing, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft.
This industry includes a vast range of materials, formats, and types of parts. Manufacturers, therefore, require flexible marking solutions that guarantee compliance with the stringent rules pertaining identification and traceability of parts.
Parts to be marked in the aerospace industry Include:
- Gear system – ID plates, gear parts, actuator, screws, power generator.
- Brake system – brake disks, landing gear parts, thrust reversers.
- Fuel, hydraulics & control system – thermal exchange systems, ID plates, switches, generators, pumps, sockets.
- Turbine components – rings, blades, screws, discs, segments.
- Frame structure parts – nuts, prototypes, balanced parts. ID plates, precision components.
- Tooling – screws, cutting tools, large tools, drills, bolts, maintenance parts.
Oil & Gas Industry Direct Part Marking and Traceability
Dot peen marking systems are useful for making deep marks on parts that extract oil from the sea. The marking should remain legible even after blasting and three coats of paint.
Oil and gas drilling units are made to withstand the toughest extremes on earth: from the deep sea to the frozen arctic regions and viscous tar sands.
The parts are, during their lifetime, exposed to corrosion and other harsh conditions.
To enforce quality control, regulations in the industry require material verification and validation. The measures help ensure operator safety and prevent human and environmental disasters (for instance, a crude oil pipeline leak).
This translates to tracking every part of the operation. Direct part making helps verify each part’s quality. Manufacturers use dot pin marking machines to mark parts with identification information such as serial numbers.
In case something undesirable happens in the field, the parts from the same batch will be identified quickly. This enables proactive repair or replacement of faulty parts to prevent future mistakes and allay safety concerns.
Examples of parts in the oil and gas industry include pumps, valves, casings, couplings, sucker rod couplings, completion tooling, drill bits, pipes, tubing, flanges, bumper subs and shakers.
Parts used in the oil and energy industry are generally large and heavy. Marking large parts is impossible when using a stationary marking device since you cannot lift and place the part on to the desktop.
Manual stamping may be a solution to this problem, but one that is too time consuming and not very effective.
The best alternative is a handheld dot peen marking machine. It brings flexibility and speed to the engraving operation.
A handheld machine enables mobility. The operator can move around with it, marking one part and another, or from one workshop to another. Furthermore, it helps you to work in the hard-to-reach places.
In addition, the portable dot peen device is ideal for marking small batches like valves, flanges, drill pipes, and drill bits, and most other parts used in the oil and gas industry.
Steel pipe markings should include the dimensions of the pipe’s cross-section. The pipe details are number, material, wall thickness, and diameter. Other information: pipe manufacturer, production date, batch number, and pipe length.
Dot Peen Marking Machine Integrated and Automation Solutions
Engraving tools have greatly improved with the increase of industrial demand and volume. For instance, automatic dot peen machines are now used in machine-building, electric power engineering, construction, chemical, and plane-building industries.
These systems support integrated solutions. You can, therefore, use them for automatic engraving.
Electric Dot Peen Machine and Automation
The vibro peen (electric dot peen machine) is a high-performance tool built to adapt to diverse industrial marking applications. It is an integrated, stable device that engraves clear, deep marks on metal parts consistently.
The vibro peen is different from the traditional pneumatic dot peen device. It features an integrated touch screen with built-in software. Rather than rely on compressed air for operation, electric dot peen machines need only be plugged into a power supply.
When the machine has an integrated touch screen, there is no need for a separate computer. The integrated software helps you program the device with ease.
Automated Production Line
Integrated engraving tools are ideal for automated production lines with a series of workstations connected by a transfer system and an automatic electrical control system.
Each of these workstations is in charge of a specific operation. The product takes shape step by step, moving along the production line in a pre-defined production sequence.
A fully automated production line does requires no direct human involvement in the operation. In such a case, all or part of the production process is achieved by automated systems and mechanical equipment.
In the automated environment, human tasks are confined to supervision, adjustment, system design, and monitoring the system’s operation rather than directly controlling it.
The integrated dot peen system is a valuable addition to the production line of a processing unit. It enables automatic marking of items as they leave the production line.
Conclusion
We have listed and dissected the various uses of dot peen machines and the wide range of industries that rely on them.
Sometimes it’s not possible to apply a mark directly to a part, and so you can mark a nameplate and attach it on the part instead.
Dot peen machines can mark most mechanical parts, including the rounded ones which are a problem to some engraving technologies.
In the automotive industry, dot peen marking has a lot of applications: from chassis marking to working on various engine parts. It is also useful to the aerospace industry and the energy industry.
Furthermore, if you run an automated production line, integrated dot peen machines will seamlessly fit into the operation.
Psst: This post is sponsored by HeatSign, one of the leading dot peen marking solutions provider. They stock a broad range of dot peen markers. You can visit here to scroll and find out what they have to offer.
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