Coding and Marking in the Automotive Industry

Automotive manufacturers require reliable traceability and identification for the parts they use and sell, as well as tools. This article explains how inkjet technology is utilised within the car industry.

PRINTING ONTO COMPONENTS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY


When manufacturing vehicles, thousands of individual components need to be coded a specific part number for traceability. This ensures that the vehicle manufacturer is able to identify and deal with the consequences of defective parts, in order to identify which part of the workflow is problematic. Needham Ink Technologies supply reliable and powerful coding printers which can integrate with ease into the most fast-paced and demanding production lines.

In addition, the need for durable, clear and accurate codes is a given, whether for monitoring components through the assembly process, for stock control, anti-counterfeiting, or to meet customer expectations.

 

EXAMPLES OF AUTOMOTIVE CODING APPLICATIONS

07 08 2021 (2)
Scannable Anti-Counterfeiting Barcodes

Part's with curved surfaces such as Mufflers and Aluminium Wheels

Electronic Components

Packaging for Parts

Tyre Marking
 
Pipes and Hoses
 

 

WHICH TECHNOLOGY IS BEST?


07 08 2021 (3)Aside from vehicle components, the automotive industry often requires coding and marking solutions for other materials such as cardboard boxes for component packaging. These outer cases usually require text and graphics which are easy to see. CIJ Printers, such as our N-Series machines, provide high-resolution printing and are easy to set up and adjust, offering a cost-effective alternative to pre-printed boxes or labels.

Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) is arguably the most cost-effective choice for automotive marking and coding. CIJ printers can print on almost any substrate. A wide range of inks is available to use with CIJ printers including coloured inks to ensure legibility on any colour substrate, UV-readable inks for anti-counterfeiting or water-removable inks for internal traceability, adding yet another dimension to the coding process.