Laser-Marked Metal Identifiers That Survive Shot Blasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying metal castings along a production line are prone to errors due to the potential substitution of metal castings during multiple manipulations, which can compromise tracking accuracy, especially when shot blasting can damage or erase previously marked identifiers.

Innovation Solution

Laser-marking shot blast resistant identifiers by laser-removing metal from the surface of metal workpieces to create recesses bounded by a peripheral wall, with specific dimensions that ensure the identifiers remain readable after shot blasting, using a laser-marking system controlled by a controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If identifiers are marked early on metal castings to enable tracking, then identification accuracy is improved, but the identifiers are damaged or erased by subsequent shot blasting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoididentifier readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier is marked on the metal casting before the shot blasting operation. By performing the laser marking in advance, the identification is established early in the production process, allowing tracking to begin immediately while the marking method ensures survival through subsequent blasting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The laser marking process changes the physical parameters of the identifier marking by creating deep recesses (at least 100 microns deep) with specific width-to-depth ratios. These parameter changes make the marking resistant to shot blasting by ensuring sufficient depth and appropriate geometry that prevents complete erosion of the identifier features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional marking methods are used, then the process is simple, but the identifiers are damaged by shot blasting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking process simplicityVSAvoidshot blast damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical marking methods (such as stamping or engraving) with laser marking technology. This substitution provides a non-contact marking process that is equally simple to implement but creates markings with superior resistance to shot blasting due to the precise control of marking depth and geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If laser marking creates deep recesses to resist shot blasting, then shot blast resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshot blast resistanceVSAvoidlaser marking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser marking system controls specific parameters including recess depth (at least 100 microns), opening width (400-1750 microns), and width-to-depth ratio (0.4-1.7) to achieve shot blast resistance. By optimizing these parameters, the system creates markings that are resistant to erosion while managing the complexity through precise but standardized parameter sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for early and accurate identification of metal castings along the production line, reducing identification errors and ensuring the readability of identifiers even after shot blasting, thereby enhancing traceability.

Implementation Method 1

laser-marking the identifier on a surface of the received metal workpiece by laser-removing metal from the surface of the metal workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12350757B2Metal workpieces with shot blast resistant identifiers, methods and systems for laser-marking such identifiers

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 LASERAX

AI summary

There is described a metal workpiece generally having a surface and an identifier marked on said surface. The identifier has cells each having a corresponding cell size, including bright cells corresponding to a first binary value and dark cells corresponding to a second binary value different from the first binary value. The dark cells include a center portion being recessed relative to the surface thereby leaving a recess bounded by a peripheral wall in the corresponding dark cell, the recess having a depth of at least 100 microns and having an opening with a width ranging between 400 microns and 1750 microns and representing between 30 percent and 99 percent of the corresponding cell size such that the corresponding dark cell appears dark to an optical reader. The depth, the width and the cell size of the dark cells provide a shot blast resistance to the laser-marked identifier.