Description

Four key elements are required for DPM traceability applications: Marking, Verification, Reading and Communication – MVRC. Siemens covers all four key elements with a variety of products, systems, and provides support for the creation of applications.

MVRC Means

Marking

Marking a product is normally done very early on in the production process so that all following steps can be controlled using the product identity. Marks are often applied to parts with a method called Direct Part Marking (DPM).

Verification

By using verification systems, the readability of marks is guaranteed throughout the entire production process regardless of any possible contamination or when using different read devices. Also, the marking can still be read after the production process, throughout the life span of the product.

Reading

In order to ensure user friendliness and secure functioning, the readers must exhibit great flexibility regarding design, interfaces, etc. Only then is it possible to satisfy the needs of many different industrial sectors.

Communication

The communication between reading device and process control is performed by a host of possible standard interfaces, for example by PROFIBUS, PROFINET, Ethernet, RS232 and by expandable digital inputs and outputs. These interfaces handle the secure transmission of the trigger signal and also the fast and reliable transmission of the reading results.

What Exactly Is Direct Part Marking (DPM)?

Direct Part Marking (DPM) indicates the application of a mark directly on the surface of a product without the use of a separate carrier material, such as e.g. an adhesive label. This makes it possible to identify products in production and tracing them after delivery as well. So-called 2D codes have been used for years in a coding method that meets all user requirements. 2D codes consist of easy to implement, point-shaped basic elements. Laser and needle marking technologies are outstanding regarding durability, marking speed and material independence. For example, because of mechanical deformation, 2D codes can still be read after multiple processing steps on metallic work pieces. 2D codes also provide the advantage of being able to encode data in more limited spaces than comparable barcodes or text.