Panel Product Coding for Authentication and End-of-Life Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking products distort the print and do not allow for cost-effective, unique identification or tracking of mass-produced goods, especially during use or at end-of-life, leading to difficulties in pinpointing manufacturing issues and recycling due to a lack of information on material composition and hazardous nature.
Innovation Solution
A product with a code linked to manufacturing data, including physical parameters and batch information, enabling unique or nearly unique identification and authentication, with the code being scannable and potentially visually perceivable, and methods for applying the code during manufacturing processes such as milling or laser marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional marking methods (printing codes on surface) are used, then identification capability is provided, but unique identification of mass-produced goods is impossible and manufacturing precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional surface printing (mechanical/optical system) with laser marking (thermal system). The laser beam locally heats and modifies the material surface to create permanent, precise marks that do not distort the surrounding print quality. This substitution enables unique identification of each mass-produced item while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the material surface through laser-induced thermal effects. By controlling laser parameters (power, duration, wavelength), the system creates permanent marks with precise control over depth, contrast, and shape, achieving both unique identification and preservation of overall product quality.
2Reliability
If no tracking system is implemented, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ability to trace manufacturing issues and authenticate products is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The laser marking system automatically encodes unique identification data directly onto each product during the manufacturing process. The product itself carries its own identification information without requiring external tagging systems, databases, or complex tracking infrastructure. This self-contained approach provides authentication capability while minimizing system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If surface printing is used for codes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but code permanence and resistance to degradation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional printing methods with laser marking, which creates permanent modifications to the material surface through thermal effects. The laser-marked codes are inherently resistant to fading, scratching, and chemical degradation, providing long-term durability while maintaining ease of application through automated laser systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel product and related systems and methods comprising a code directly or indirectly linked to data regarding one or more physical parameters and/or the manufacturing of said product or of the batch said product is taken from. The invention also relate to a system and method for manufacturing such panel products, as well as to a method for authenticating and/or tracking panel products with computer-traceable data linked to the code.