Worksheet

Guide to Choosing the

Best Marking Solution
Where do you start when you want to initiate or upgrade your marking and traceability capabilities?
We’ve broken it down into three main areas of consideration: Materials, Manufacturing Process, and Integration. Use this guide to help you
accurately scope your unique needs and have a more informed conversation with your marking equipment provider.

MATERIALS
How many different parts will you be marking?
Material makeup, size, and shape all affect the type Identify how many variables the solution needs to accommodate.
of marking equipment to use, as well as accessory
options, configurations, and laser lens size.

What material(s) are you marking?

Determine the most appropriate marking equipment and laser source.

Metals, Steel, Aluminum Plastics

Wood, Paper, Cardboard Glass What are the dimensions of the product/part you are marking?
Properly select the configuration, laser enclosure, and/or lens sizes.

What size will the mark be and is there any curvature to the
marking area?
Determine the marking equipment, accessory options, and/or laser lens size.

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Worksheet
Guide to Choosing the
Best Marking Solution

MANUFACTURING PROCESS
How will part loading be handled?
When choosing your marking method, factors like Consider how a variety of solutions can impact cycle times and other goals.
how and where your parts are being manufactured are
critical to safety and efficiency in your manufacturing Manual Automated
process.
How will operators interface with the equipment?
Make the system easy-to-use and safe for your users.
At what point in the manufacturing process are your
products/parts being marked?
HMI Safety considerations,
Uncover any challenges to mark readability regarding coatings,
GUI Light curtains, Hand controls
treatments, or residues.
PC Door locks

What are your efficiency goals?

Discover new solutions to optimizing areas of the marking process
and part handling.

Is the environment clean or does in contain dirt or debris?

Ensure that the proper protections, such as A/C or air tight enclosures, are used.

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Worksheet
Guide to Choosing the
Best Marking Solution

INTEGRATION What is the communication protocol?

Confirm that the system meets all communication requirements for
To effectively communicate data and enable integration with other systems.

successful automation, your marking solution should

integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. EtherNet/IP
PROFINET
Ethernet TCP/IP

What type of data are you marking? Modbus TCP

Consider potential limitations due to size and complexity, and how data
RS232
will be verified.
Will you require machine vision?
Human readable Identify any automation opportunities to reduce human error.

Barcode
Mark alignment based on part type/orientation
Where is the information coming from? Barcodes: quality inspection and data validation
Understand what tools operators will need to interface with this equipment, • Read only
such as HMI screens or barcode scanners. • Read/grade
• Read/grade/verify
PLC • Meet spec (i.e., ISO, DOD)
PC Reject handling

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