Panel Product Coding for Traceability Without Print Distortion
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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 a code is printed on the product surface, then product identification and tracking are enabled, but the print quality is distorted and the code may be visible in use
Solution Approach 1:
The code is applied to the product during the manufacturing process, specifically on the edges before the final decorative print is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures the code is already in place and protected, eliminating the need to print over the decorative surface later.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the code on the visible face of the panel where it would distort the print, the code is positioned on the edges of the panel - a different spatial dimension that is less visible in final application. This edge positioning allows the decorative print to maintain full quality on the visible surfaces.
2Productivity
If general batch marking is used, then manufacturing efficiency is maintained, but unique identification of individual products is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The code contains specifically tailored information for each individual panel or batch, including unique identifiers, manufacturing parameters, and material composition data. This localized customization of code content allows each product to be uniquely identified while using the same efficient coding system across all products.
Solution Approach 2:
The code structure includes variable parameters such as unique panel identifiers, batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and material composition codes. By varying these parameters within the standard code format, the system maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving complete product traceability.
3Ease of manufacture
If no material information is provided, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but recycling and hazardous waste identification are impossible
Solution Approach 1:
Material composition information and hazardous substance data are incorporated into the code during the manufacturing process itself. This preliminary inclusion of material data eliminates the need for separate labeling or documentation systems later, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling complete material identification for recycling and waste management.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel product and related systems and methods include a code directly or indirectly linked to data regarding one or more physical parameters and/or the manufacturing of the product or of the batch the product is taken from. The panel product involves a system and method for manufacturing such panel products, and a method for authenticating and/or tracking panel products with computer-traceable data linked to the code.