Machine readable identification markings are an essential part of modern manufacturing, inventory control and asset tracking processes. However, despite the well-known benefits, many manufacturers aren’t doing enough to verify the quality of marks. This can cause significant problems later in the production process and traceability inevitably suffers.
Fortunately, getting to grips with highly effective marking and verification is simple enough. It’s about looking at the process to identify the weak links, and then taking action to strengthen them.
Take part verification through inspecting marks in a quality laboratory, using microscopes and specialist metrology equipment. This helps companies ensure that a mark meets the full requirements of its specification, but it is time consuming and expensive to do. As such, companies tend to only inspect a small sample of parts, which means that individual deviations can be missed. If/when this happens, the company may have to inspect or recheck hundreds of other marks from the same batch.
Failing to ensure that product markings are fully compliant with required standards is no laughing matter. It creates two potentially huge problems for manufacturers:
- There is a real risk that a non-compliant mark will be rejected by the customer. This can be extremely costly and disruptive, especially if the parts in question have already been shipped by the time the deviation is identified.
- Substandard marks will be less able to accommodate further degradation and will eventually become unreadable. This will cause problems for in-service use, and can create difficulty in “smart” manufacturing environments where marks are used for tracking components within the production process.
So how can you overcome these challenges? The answer lies with new technology. Dedicated verification systems, such as the Pryor VeriSmart 2.0, can be installed on the production line, either directly on the marking equipment or at another suitable point on the line. These systems operate on a similar principle to conventional code reading systems, but they use a much higher resolution camera, together with tight control of lighting and reading conditions.
Verification systems such as these go beyond simply checking that the correct data has been marked on the part, they also ensure that the size, shape and position of the dots fully comply with the required standards. And it’s not a time intensive process; in fact, they can do all that within the cycle time of the machine, operating at speeds of up to two parts per second in some high-volume applications.
With technology such as this at our fingertips, the manufacturing sector can finally rid itself of poor quality and substandard part marks. So what are you waiting for?
For further guidance on how to optimise inventory control and asset tracking processes, download Pryor’s free white paper on component marking and verification: DOWNLOAD NOW
Further help on aerospace verification standards is available here.