산업 분야의 핵심 소재인 스틸은 경도, 연성, 열전도율 및 내식성의 독특한 균형이 특징이며, 이러한 특성은 조성에 따라 달라집니다.
추가 원소가 가미된 철강-탄소 합금으로서, 열처리(담금질, 템퍼링, 어닐링)와 합금 원소 추가를 통해 응용 요구 사항에 맞춰 성능을 최적화할 수 있는 높은 적응성을 제공합니다.
스틸 경도, 표면 마감, 생산 환경 또는 예상되는 마킹 유형(데이터 매트릭스, 일련번호, 깊은 마킹) 등에 따라 SIC MARKING은 다음과 같은 여러 스틸용 마킹기 제품을 제공합니다.
산업용 스틸 부품을 위한 마킹 기술은 경도, 표면 마감, 조성, 두께, 열 민감도 및 기대 대비 수준 등 여러 기준을 바탕으로 합니다.
균질한 표면, 우수한 레이저 빔 흡수율, 타각 마킹 시 매우 높은 충격 저항성, 그리고 스크라이빙 시의 내마모성은 스틸을 가장 까다로운 마킹 애플리케이션에 이상적인 소재로 만듭니다.
스틸은 데이터 매트릭스 또는 QR 코드의 최적의 가독성, 가혹 환경에서의 높은 내구성, 모든 표면 마감과의 호환성을 보장합니다.
스틸 경도
Steel hardness remains the primary criterion for choosing between dot peen marking, scribing, and laser marking of steel.
Soft steel can be easily marked using dot peen or scribing, while harder steel remains compatible with these technologies.
For very hard steel or hardened steel, laser engraving generally becomes the most suitable solution.
Beyond a certain hardness threshold, dot peen marking on steel reaches its technical limits.
In practice, laser engraving is suitable for all hardness levels and enables the achievement of high contrast, which is essential for Data Matrix or QR codes.
Dot peen marking remains effective up to high hardness levels, depending on the machine and tooling used.
For laser marking on parts treated between 58 and 62 HRC, laser power is adjusted to avoid surface damage.
표면 마감
Roughness and surface condition have a direct impact on contrast.
A smooth or polished surface allows for highly legible dot peen marking on steel and also facilitates scribing.
A raw, sandblasted, or very rough surface is better suited for laser engraving.
For example, a well-machined sheet will provide excellent contrast for a Data Matrix code engraved by dot peen, whereas a rough surface will yield better results with laser marking.
Surface treatments also play an important role. Paint or galvanization layers may reduce or obscure laser engraving if too thick, while dot peen marking remains effective through these coatings without damaging them.
Leveraging its expertise, SIC MARKING offers machines for laser marking that remain visible even after surface treatment.
On a galvanized part, laser marking is often preferred, while scribing is avoided on delicate painted surfaces.
To optimize results, it is recommended to assess the surface condition and conduct practical tests: adjust laser settings on painted parts, use dot peen tips suited for very rough surfaces, or plan a preliminary cleaning if the coating may affect readability. All these parameters are then integrated into the process to ensure reliable and reproducible marking.
스틸 조성
Carbon steels are generally classified into three families: low carbon, medium carbon, and high carbon. The higher the carbon content, the harder the steel. In practice, laser engraving works well across all these categories, dot peen marking remains effective as long as hardness is not too high, and scribing provides excellent results on medium-hard steels.
The surface condition and applied treatments also guide the choice: on thin or sensitive parts, laser engraving on steel is often preferred to avoid deformations caused by vibrations. On painted or galvanized parts, laser engraving generally remains the most robust solution. For 2D codes that require automatic reading, laser marking of steel is recommended for achieving high contrast, while dot peen or scribing are preferred for deep and wear-resistant markings.
Laser marking of stainless steel is often the ideal solution to achieve highly legible black or white markings, especially for Data Matrix codes. Dot peen marking remains possible but produces engraved indentations without contrast.
Since stainless steel must maintain its corrosion resistance, laser engraving settings are carefully selected. In industry, it is common to check the marking quality and code compliance after treatment, particularly for stainless steel used in marine environments.
In applications where aesthetics are important, such as polished or decorative parts, scribing can provide a very clean finish. However, when automatic traceability is required, laser marking with annealing is preferred, as it provides the necessary contrast without compromising either the strength or corrosion resistance of the part.
제품 두께
Part thickness plays an important role in selecting the permanent marking technology.
Thin sheets deform easily under impact, whereas thick parts absorb shocks much better. Therefore, for thin components — such as those used in automotive or household appliances — processes that do not cause deformation, like laser engraving, are generally preferred.
Conversely, for massive parts, dot peen marking and scribing provide deep, durable markings. Material hardness and vibration sensitivity also play a role: when high dimensional accuracy is required, laser marking of steel remains the safest solution.
The desired finish and required contrast level also influence the choice of steel marking technology, regardless of thickness. For a Data Matrix code readable automatically in production, laser engraving of steel provides the most reliable results. However, when a deep and highly wear-resistant marking is needed, dot peen marking on steel or scribing are better suited, as they create a pronounced and durable relief.
열 민감도
When a part has been heat-treated or must meet very tight tolerances, it is important to avoid excessive temperature rise during permanent marking. Excessive heat can alter the metal’s structure and reduce its hardness. In such cases — for example, with bearing rings or highly precise drive shafts — laser marking of steel is generally preferred, as it allows local marking without heating the entire part or causing deformation.
Conversely, for thick steel parts that are not sensitive to heat, dot peen marking or steel scribing remain good options. These permanent marking technologies do not heat the material at all, even though they apply localized mechanical force, making them suitable for massive parts that can easily absorb this type of stress.
예상 대비
For 2D codes intended for automatic reading (Data Matrix, QR), achieving high contrast is essential. In industrial practice, reducing reflectance for laser engraving is typically targeted to ensure reliable reading even under variable lighting conditions. Requirements are often based on ISO/IEC 29158 (DPM), and for critical applications, a quality level equivalent to Grade C or higher is commonly required. This involves sufficient contrast as well as stable and reproducible cell geometry.
The surface condition strongly affects the achieved contrast. On a polished surface, laser marking provides the best contrast and excellent repeatability. On a rough surface or a painted surface, dot peen marking on steel generally reduces reflectivity through its punctuated relief. Steel scribing, meanwhile, creates highly legible geometric shading, making it a robust solution for deep markings.
Steel is suitable for all types of permanent marking: alphanumeric, 2D codes (Data Matrix), QR, barcodes, logos, or deep markings.
The choice of steel marking technology depends on the application and any post-marking treatments (painting, galvanization, machining).
Laser engraving on steel provides high resolution, dot peen marking ensures excellent marking durability, and steel scribing allows for deep, long-lasting markings.
Alphanumeric markings are the foundation of industrial traceability: serial numbers, batch numbers, part identifiers, internal references, or variable data such as date, time, or counters. Serial numbers typically range from 6 to 12 characters, while internal references range from 4 to 10.
Generally, 2 to 5 mm characters are used for comfortable human reading, and smaller sizes (0.3 to 1 mm) for automatic reading systems.
In practice, laser marking is commonly used for Data Matrix marking; the laser remains the reference solution for marking steel after painting and for compliance with DPM requirements on specific parts.
When choosing a steel marking technology, factors considered include surface condition (polished, brushed, painted), part thickness, and integration with vision systems and ERP.
ECC200 Data Matrix codes, widely used in automotive, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors, allow encoding large amounts of information in a very small space (2 to 10 mm).
Properly configured, they remain readable even after painting or galvanization, with modules generally ≥0.25 mm to ensure reliable reading.
On steel, their performance is excellent: thousands of parts can be marked with read rates exceeding 99%. In production, these codes integrate directly with control systems and tracking tools such as MES, facilitating logistics and maintenance.
Less commonly used than Data Matrix, QR codes are preferred when smartphone or tablet reading is desired. Their high capacity (up to over 4,000 characters) allows direct encoding of URLs and detailed information.
1D barcodes remain widely used for linear identification of steel parts, particularly in logistics and spare parts management.
The most common formats are Code 128, Code 39, and EAN, capable of encoding 10 to 20 characters. Laser engraving on steel with a line thickness of 0.15 to 0.25 mm generally ensures reliable reading.
They are well suited for assembly lines equipped with short-range fixed readers. Laser marking allows rapid marking (up to 1–2 codes per second), while dot peen, though slower, provides better durability in abrasive environments.
For applications where durability is critical, deep marking is the preferred solution: it remains legible after machining, painting, sandblasting, or galvanization.
In the automotive sector, deep marking is primarily used for VIN on chassis, where continuity and depth of the mark are essential for compliance and anti-fraud purposes.
In structural steel and offshore, beams and flanges are deeply marked to remain readable after sandblasting and painting, while resisting thermal cycles and corrosion.
The railway and machine tool sectors also use deep marking for forged parts and safety components, with minimum depths specified in technical requirements. These robust markings ensure long-term traceability and prevent costly replacements.
In practice, the choice of permanent steel marking technology depends on constraints: engraving is favored for forged parts exposed to sandblasting, while dot-peen marking is suitable for painted parts.
The choice also depends on the application: pictograms that must remain visible after painting are often produced using dot-peen marking, while compliance symbols require precision and contrast via laser marking.
Steel, thanks to its robustness, hardness, and dimensional stability, is perfectly suited for permanent marking using laser engraving, dot-peen marking, or mechanical engraving. These steel marking technologies ensure long-lasting readability even in harsh environments while meeting the compliance requirements of the automotive, aerospace, railway, energy, medical, and defense sectors.
Depending on the requirement, the marking can be very deep, high-contrast, or extremely fine to accommodate industrial constraints.
Explore our flagship marking equipment for laser, micro-percussion, or engraving, including Portable Machines, Integrable Modules for Production Lines, or Standalone Marking Stations.
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