Part Marking for Custom Parts and Prototypes - What Options Do You Have?
Producing custom parts and prototypes is not just about creating a design for your custom parts and prototypes and turning your design into tangible objects. There’s also an important process called part marking that you need to undergo before putting your custom parts and rapid prototypes into further production processes. In this guide, you will learn about various aspects of part marking for custom parts and prototypes, as well as the options you have for applying them.
The Benefits of Part Marking for Custom Parts and Prototypes
In rapid manufacturing, part marking can provide the manufacturers with various benefits, such as providing better tracking for their components, authenticity checking, and providing accurate component identification. Here are the benefits of part marking for custom parts, sheet metalworks and rapid prototyping:
●Tracking your components.
When you distribute your custom parts and prototypes through various distribution channels, you will need to track your components to locate their position in the distribution chain to make it easier for you to recall the parts later. Part marking will help track your components and make sure that you can locate them. Not only that, it is also useful to detect the originality of the parts and check whether they have been tampered with.
●Ensuring originality of your parts by part marking.
Part marking can also be useful in identifying whether your parts or components are authentic. In some cases, you will need to perform this authenticity checking to provide a full service or guarantee for your custom parts, plastic molding parts, and prototypes.
●Providing accurate component identification.
Identifying the custom parts and prototypes you are producing is also an important part of your manufacturing process. This will allow you to provide a way to prevent any copycat or counterfeit parts or prototypes from posing as the originals.
●Best for quality control.
With part marking, you can include each custom part and prototype in your database, which is useful for keeping track of their features and other important information. You can also include the part marking process in your quality control check to keep track of the various iterations of the custom parts and prototypes you have produced.
●Better management of defective components and warranty claims by part marking.
Part marking will also make it easier for your company to manage the problems related to your custom parts, prototypes, or die casting for industrial components, such as when you need to recall for defective components. It will also provide an easier way for your company to check the validity of your customer’s warranty claims, so that you can provide the appropriate services for them.
Various Part Marking Options for Your Custom Parts and Prototypes
There are various part marking methods you can use in your manufacturing production. Each method will provide you with certain advantages and disadvantages, and one part marking method might be more expensive than the others. Here are the various part marking options you can choose for your custom parts and prototypes:
●Laser marking.
Laser marking is a part marking method that uses lasers to apply heat treatment on the component’s surface(such as for CNC milling and CNC turning parts), creating small oxidation that allows you to create specific markings with it. It is more suitable for you to use on metal parts and components, and the oxidation process causes it to create markings with high-contrast colors on the metal surface.
●Silk screening.
Silk screening is a low-cost part marking method that you can often use for metal components and parts. With this method, you can create markings for your metal components, such as those made from stainless steel and other metals, and then choose the colors for the markings with more flexibility.
●Laser etching.
Laser etching, often called laser engraving, is a part marking process that uses a laser beam to remove the outer part of the component’s outer layer to create a mark on it. With this method, you don’t need to use any ink, and the resulting mark will also be very durable and doesn’t wear out. So far, this is one of the best part marking methods you can get if you want to create a high-quality marking for your custom parts and prototypes in plastic injection molding(overmolding & insert molding) and CNC machining.
●Inkjet printing.
Inkjet printing is a part marking method that allows you to place a mark on different surface types for your custom parts and prototypes. This method is suitable to create part markings on non-flat surfaces if you need to do it. You will need to use the inkjet printer equipment (thermal or continuous inkjet printers) to perform this process.
Part Marking Best Practices
●Budget your part marking process.
Part marking comes in different types, with each type offering different prices and budget ranges. Depending on how many components or parts you need to mark and the type of part marking process you choose, you will need to calculate the budget for it, aside from your regular manufacturing budget.
●Use the part marking method suitable for your material.
Each material will have their own suitable part marking process you can use. For instance, laser etching will be the best part marking option to use for metal materials, whereas you can use inkjet printing as the part marking process for plastic materials.
●Consider the part surface.
Some part marking methods don’t go well with non-flat surfaces. So, you need to consider the part surface you would like to mark. For components or custom parts with non-flat surfaces, you might consider inkjet printing as the part marking method of choice.
●Consider the part application.
The applications of the custom parts and prototypes you produce can also affect how you should mark those parts and 3d printing prototypes later. You need to ensure that the markings you create on your component’s surface won’t disturb the general use and applications of the part. Also, pick the location around the part’s surface that will be the best place for you to place a mark on it without disturbing its overall aesthetics.
●Make it unique and tamper-free.
Last but not least, you need to keep your part markings unique to your company or brand and make sure that it won’t get duplicated easily. Keep it unique and tamper-free for the best result.
Conclusion
There are several part marking options you can consider for your custom parts and prototypes. Be sure to pick the one that fits best with your custom parts, as well as other important aspects, such as budget, parts applications, materials, and the features you would like to have.
TEAM Rapid offers part marking for all our customized rapid manufacturing parts, contact our team today to request a free quote now!
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