Laser Marking of Automotive Components

Laser marking technology is revolutionizing the auto manufacturing industry, from the engine core to the chassis and the interior trim.In addition to solving the problems of traditional labels, which are easily removed and environmentally unfriendly, the technology also has high precision and strong adaptability, and has been used in anti-counterfeiting, traceability, and other areas.As new energy vehicles adopt lightweight materials, the non-contact processing advantages of laser marking machines are becoming increasingly apparent, and they are becoming an indispensable "digital cutting tool" in smart factories.

What exactly can a laser engraver do?

Don't be fooled by the laser marking machine's small size, for it is an "invisible engraver" in today's industry.From the simplest product serial number to the complex two-dimensional bar code, as long as the parameters are set, the machine can leave a clear, lasting mark on any metal or plastic surface.In particular, laser marking is superior to traditional printing for parts that are exposed to oil or high temperatures.

The automotive industry.

Engine parts ID card.

Each part of the engine block, for example, has its own "identification card.Last year we did a project for a car manufacturer where we used a fiber laser marking machine to engrave QR codes on crankshafts. The codes were tested at 300 ° C and had a 40 % higher success rate when scanned than with traditional methods.The workshop supervisor jokingly says: "This mark is more reliable than the time cards of the workers.

An invisible bodyguard for the chassis number.

Now, many serial numbers are stamped in concealed places on the chassis, and it is necessary to prevent them from being tampered with.Ultraviolet laser marking doesn't damage the paintwork, and can penetrate the clear coat to mark the underlying metal to a depth of 0.1 millimeters.One time he helped the police solve a case by recovering a vehicle identification number that had been sanded off.

The interior of the car is also a work of art.

Recently I have been working on a very interesting project to brand the leather interior of an electric car.By adjusting the laser parameters, they are able to imprint logos on leather seats without affecting their softness or leaving burnt edges.The designer says that this method has a more tactile quality than screen printing, and also saves on the cost of molds.

Why do all the car manufacturers love this technology?

Besides the hard indicator of being environmentally friendly, the most important thing is flexibility.Last week, a supplier wanted to temporarily adjust the code on a part, and the traditional way would have meant changing a mold, which would have taken two days. With the laser marker, it took only half an hour to adjust the parameters.Today, even the warning labels on the steering wheel are engraved with a laser, making them more durable and less likely to cause customer complaints.