MARKING & ENGRAVING

Choosing the Right Part Marking Solution

Matching the right marking solution for your precision machined parts and assemblies requires balancing several factors, including the material being marked, the permanence of the mark, the operating environment, the shape and size of the area available for marking, the volume of production, whether the mark will be visible on the final assembly, and so on.

Another important consideration is whether the marking technique deforms or changes the part's dimensions in some way. Stamping, for example, can be an inexpensive method, but is usually inappropriate for precision parts. Similarly, welding an identifying plate is a decades old solution but can introduced heat distortions, especially with delicate parts.

Laser engraving and electrochemical etching both involve removing some amount of material, which changes the measurable dimensions of the part. These methods, therefore, should only be selected for surfaces where these changes will not impact the part's performance.

Laser engraving removes material to create a textured mark to a depth you can choose, while laser marking typically only discolors the surface of the work piece without removing material.

As with laser marking, both silk screening and pad printing do not create dimensional changes for the machined part.  Each of these techniques can be an excellent marking choice depending on the material and the other factors noted above.

Whatever your specific usage case, EMI can assist with selecting the right marking technique to help you accomplish your goals with confidence.