Choosing the Right Marking System: Laser or Dot Peen?

Choosing the right marking system is all about application and manufacturing needs. This doesn't mean that one way is right and one is wrong, but there's always a best choice depending on the parts you are producing.

To help you make your choice, Laser Marking Technologies answers one of the most common questions they get from their clients: "What's the difference between laser marking and dot peen?"

Dot Peen

Dot peen marking is a technology that uses a rigid carbide tipped pin to stamp, peen, or etch thousands of closely spaced dots to create text. The mark depth can somewhat be controlled or changed depending on the material and is typically permanent. Modern dot peen technology is saddled with intuitive, easy-to-operate software systems. Advantages include:

• Reliable, fast and direct
• Ideal for industrial marking
• Portable machines
• Cheap equipment costs

However, there are some downsides to dot peen marking. Compared to laser marking, dot peen marking makes a significant imprint on a material's surface, which doesn't allow for a smooth finish. And because this marking method relies on a system of dots, the marks are less legible. Disadvantages include:

• Extremely Loud
• Low mark quality
• Parts must be rigid or clamped down
• Can be applied only to sturdy materials
• Carbide pin wears out easily and quickl
• Slow speed
• Cannot mark barcodes

Laser Marking

Laser marking uses a pulsed, high peak energy beam to create precise marks and etching in various materials. There are several kinds of laser marking systems, as different wavelengths can be used to achieve varying depths of marks on equally varying materials.

Laser marking is highly versatile and customizable. It is one of the most popular systems for marking because it is easy to use and requires low maintenance. Advantages include:

• High contrast marking
• Smooth finish
• Extremely accurate
• High speed
• Best quality mark
• Can be dynamically sized
• Varied depth from surface marking to deep engraving
• Can create Barcodes as well as QR Codes

In Comparison

When compared to dot peen systems, laser marking has very few downsides. And though laser systems are a significant investment, they save time and money overall.

Additionally, because both systems are best suited for metallic surfaces, but because lasers are faster, smoother, more exact and can etch a variety of marks (barcodes, QR codes, serial numbers, text, and images), they are usually the preferred choice of manufacturers.

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Laser Marking Technologies

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