Laser marking is a process that uses a concentrated light beam to put identifying characteristics on the targeted surfaces. Methods like etching and engraving fall into this category. It’s a commonly deployed practice in the electronics industry. Why do manufacturers embrace this practice and what added value does it give?
Provides a superior tracking method
Electronics manufacturers must add identifying information to all parts they produce and distribute. Manufacturers frequently used ink and labels before laser marking became an option, but those methods have shortcomings.
(Source: Shutterstock)
Companies had to use solvent-resistant inks and accept that anything chosen was at risk of becoming hard to read due to fading or smudging. Adhesive labels also had undesirable characteristics. They left sticky residues and could get damaged or worn over time. In addition, people could also peel off or tamper with the labels, making tracking impossible.
A laser mark goes into the surface. Thus, there’s no risk of fading, smudging or peeling as the component ages. Manufacturers can also use laser marking to indicate that a component has undergone a particular quality control step. For example, a laser mark could indicate that it passed a safety test. Similarly, if the part fails in-house testing, a laser mark can provide a visual safeguard against accidentally putting those products on the market.
Some companies provide laser markings on highly visible exterior parts of their products, such as the back cases of tablets and smartphones. Apple has guidelines for using iPhones and iPads in healthcare settings. A laser marking could indicate that a specific facility owns those products and should be an effective theft deterrent.
Supports different manufacturing environments
Engineers who are responsible for developing new electronic components are under constant pressure to improve these devices. That often means making the parts progressively smaller, allowing them to work in products with highly compact form factors. The improvements also encompass being open to using different materials. That’s especially important in industries like automotive, where electronics may face risks in harsh environments like high temperatures, contact with fuels and oils or exposure to the elements.
Fortunately, laser marking is an excellent option for electronic parts because it can be used for numerous materials. Cutting metal is often difficult due to differences in vaporization points. For example, while titanium’s vaporization point is 3,260°C, silver’s is 1,950°C. That detail makes silver comparatively easier to engrave. Even so, laser-marking machines can handle most metals, making them beneficial for the electronics industry.
Companies have also developed products that give manufacturers more flexibility over what part of an electronic component they mark. Although it’s common to etch metal with lasers, manufacturers can also put identifiers on plastic, glass and shiny substrates that were previously unsuitable for some laser-marking machines. One example is a 32-nm–wavelength green laser that offers five marking-field sizes.
Reduces the risk of counterfeit parts
Electronic components are under constant threat from potential counterfeiting. Information from Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, indicates mobile phones, their parts and accessories represent some of the top categories of counterfeit goods seized.
One anti-counterfeiting measure first tested for aircraft parts involves marking a component’s identification plate with a laser that connects that product to the blockchain. Repair technicians can then scan the item and shine a light on it to confirm its authenticity and see where the part has traveled in the supply chain. An organization involved in the technology behind that effort has expanded its offerings beyond aerospace to include industrial electronics and medical devices.
In other cases, laser-marked products can be checked for authenticity using smartphone apps.
Laser marking can also bolster a company’s trademark protection. That’s because in addition to adding barcodes and serial numbers to an electronic component, logos can be added to the surface.
Manufacturers of high-value and in-demand products often provide quick tips for how consumers can spot potentially fake items. For example, telling a repair person to check for a specific laser mark on an internal component when diagnosing a consumer’s smartphone or tablet problem could help authorized technicians detect products that may not have come from the manufacturer.
These are some of the many reasons why electronic component manufacturers choose laser marking as an identifying method for their products. Besides increasing tracking capabilities inside or outside factories, this option makes it easier to verify the receipt of authentic goods.
About the author
Emily Newton is a technical writer and the editor-in-chief of Revolutionized. She enjoys researching and writing about how technology is changing the industrial sector.
Advertisement
