Laser Marking & Verification
rotary marking on automotive parts

TQC have designed a solution for the automatic Laser Marking and Verification of parts. Marking and verification is a common requirement with many industries to ensure traceability, this specific example handled circular automotive parts, laser marking part number and technical information including a 2D barcode matrix (also known as a Datamatrix or DMX code) onto external circumferential faces.

A benefit of this solution is that it has the ability to adjust the focal length of the laser marker automatically through the laser marking process. Parts are handled via 2 stations which allow the simultaneous operations of loading/unloading operations to be carried out during the automatic laser marking / verification process.

The location tooling aligns and datums the part and a mechanism engages with the tooling at the marking station to accurately lift and rotate the part to allow the laser marking. The marking is carried out in segments with the system interfacing the rotary position of the part with the laser output. The vision verification is carried out at an offset position after the laser marking and uses encoder information of the rotary position interfaced with a line scan camera to form a picture of the laser marked information. This picture is then verified by the vision software.

This laser marking system including laser marking of text, graphics and a "Grade A" 2D barcode with full verification of the marking.