Laser Marking of High-Strength Steel Components
Introduction
Laser marking on high strength steel is a critical process in automotive manufacturing, particularly for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) marking on body-in-white structures. As modern vehicle bodies increasingly use advanced high strength steels and hot-formed steels to improve crash safety and reduce weight, traditional marking methods often struggle to produce durable, legible marks on these materials. High strength steel can exceed 700 MPa yield strength, while hot-formed steel can reach strengths up to 1500 MPa, making deep and permanent marking a challenge.
This technical guide explains how deep laser marking systems address these challenges. It covers the working principle, key features, applications, and benefits of laser marking on high strength steel, with a focus on automotive VIN marking and traceability requirements. The content is intended for automotive engineers, manufacturing engineers, and production managers evaluating marking solutions for high-strength steel components.
Product Overview
A deep laser marking machine is designed to create permanent marks on high-strength steel plates and hot-formed steel plates used in automotive body structures. Unlike surface marking methods, deep laser marking achieves a marking depth greater than 0.2 mm on body-in-white, ensuring the VIN remains readable after painting and throughout the vehicle's lifetime.
The system is specifically developed for deep VIN marking on high-strength materials. It supports automotive mass production environments and can be integrated with industrial robots or assisted manipulators. Optional vision guidance and automatic traceability modules allow for precise positioning and online inspection of marking quality.
This product addresses the industrial problem of marking durable, traceable VINs on advanced steels that are difficult to mark with conventional techniques. It is suitable for automotive manufacturing lines where body-in-white structures require permanent identification.
Working Principle
Deep laser marking on high strength steel uses a focused laser beam to remove or alter material at the surface, creating a recessed mark with a defined depth. The process is controlled to achieve a marking depth of at least 0.2 mm on body-in-white, which is sufficient to withstand painting and rubbing processes.
The system adopts a special marking process that ensures clear rubbing results after painting. This is important because VIN marks must remain legible after the body-in-white goes through the paint shop, where layers of paint and primer can obscure shallow marks.
For positioning, an optional 3D vision guidance system can be used to locate the marking area precisely on the steel surface. This helps improve accuracy and production efficiency. For quality verification, an optional 3D laser scanning measurement and OCR recognition system can perform online inspection of character quality and depth, supporting 100% traceability.
The laser marking head is designed with various mounting interfaces, allowing quick integration with industrial robots or assisted manipulators. This makes the system adaptable to automated production lines where marking must be synchronized with other manufacturing steps.
Key Features
Deep VIN Marking: Enables permanent VIN deep marking on high-strength steel plates with yield strength exceeding 700 MPa and hot-formed steel plates with strength up to 1500 MPa. Marking depth on body-in-white can reach more than 0.2 mm.
Easy Rubbing: Adopts a special marking process to ensure clear rubbing results after painting, maintaining legibility through paint shop operations.
Easy Integration: Designed with various mounting interfaces for quick integration with industrial robots or assisted manipulators for automated production lines.
Vision Guidance (Optional): Optional 3D vision guidance system enables precise positioning and accurate marking to improve production efficiency.
Automatic Traceability (Optional): Optional 3D laser scanning measurement and OCR recognition systems provide online inspection of marking quality and ensure 100% traceability.
Technical Specifications
| Power Supply | AC220V ±10%, 50Hz ±2% |
| Power Consumption | <1000W |
| Laser Power | 200W |
| Marking Area | 112mm × 112mm |
| Marking Depth | ≥0.2mm |
| Operating Temperature | 0~40℃ |
| Operating Humidity | ≤90% RH (Non-condensing) |
Applications
Laser marking on high strength steel is primarily used in automotive manufacturing for VIN marking on body-in-white. The system is suitable for marking on high-strength steel plates with yield strength exceeding 700 MPa and hot-formed steel plates with strength up to 1500 MPa.
Typical application areas include:
Automotive Manufacturing: VIN deep marking on body-in-white structures during vehicle assembly.
Automotive Components: Permanent identification of high-strength steel components requiring traceability.
New Energy Vehicles: VIN marking on high-strength steel body structures used in electric vehicles.
Powertrain Manufacturing: Marking on high-strength steel parts where durable identification is required.
Intelligent Factory Automation: Integration with robotic production lines for automated marking and traceability.
The system is designed for automotive mass production environments where marking must be integrated into automated lines and where traceability is essential.
Benefits
Deep laser marking on high strength steel offers several industrial benefits:
Improved Traceability: Permanent VIN marks with optional OCR and 3D scanning enable 100% online inspection and traceability.
Process Consistency: Special marking process ensures clear rubbing results after painting, maintaining mark legibility through paint shop operations.
Production Integration: Various mounting interfaces allow quick integration with industrial robots or assisted manipulators, supporting automated production lines.
Manufacturing Efficiency: Optional 3D vision guidance enables precise positioning and accurate marking, helping improve production efficiency.
Quality Management: Optional 3D laser scanning measurement and OCR recognition provide online inspection of marking quality.
These benefits support automotive manufacturers in meeting traceability requirements and maintaining production quality when working with advanced high strength steels.
Why Choose KINMARK
KINMARK (Jinan Zhongzheng Jinma Technology Co., Ltd.) has been developing and manufacturing marking and traceability systems since 1996. The company is a specialized and innovative enterprise in Shandong Province, with a focus on automotive intelligent automation equipment.
KINMARK's deep laser marking machine is designed specifically for deep VIN marking on high-strength materials, including high-strength steel and hot-formed steel. The system supports automotive mass production and can be integrated with robotic automation. Optional vision guidance and automatic traceability modules are available to meet specific production requirements.
The company provides installation and commissioning services, operator training, and after-sales support through offices and maintenance centers in multiple cities. A 12-month warranty covers the complete machine, with professional technical support and long-term maintenance service.
KINMARK has established long-term cooperation with automotive manufacturers and suppliers in the automotive industry. The company continues to develop marking and traceability technologies for intelligent factory automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum marking depth on high strength steel?
The deep laser marking machine can achieve a marking depth of ≥0.2 mm on body-in-white. This depth is sufficient for clear rubbing results after painting and ensures permanent VIN marking on high-strength steel plates with yield strength exceeding 700 MPa and hot-formed steel plates with strength up to 1500 MPa.
Can the system be integrated with existing production lines?
Yes. The system is designed with various mounting interfaces for quick integration with industrial robots or assisted manipulators. This allows the marking system to be incorporated into automated production lines for automotive mass production.
What optional modules are available for traceability?
Optional modules include a 3D vision guidance system for precise positioning and a 3D laser scanning measurement and OCR recognition system for online inspection of marking quality and 100% traceability.
What are the power requirements for the deep laser marking machine?
The system requires AC220V ±10%, 50Hz ±2% power supply. Power consumption is less than 1000W. The laser power is 200W, and the marking area is 112mm × 112mm.
What support does KINMARK provide after installation?
KINMARK provides installation and commissioning, operator training, and after-sales support. The complete machine is covered by a 12-month warranty, with professional technical support and long-term maintenance service. Remote diagnosis and technical assistance are available to ensure continuous operation.
Conclusion
Laser marking on high strength steel is essential for automotive VIN marking on modern body-in-white structures. Deep laser marking systems achieve marking depths greater than 0.2 mm on high-strength steel and hot-formed steel, ensuring permanent and legible marks that withstand painting and rubbing processes. With optional vision guidance and automatic traceability, these systems support automated production lines and quality management requirements. KINMARK's deep laser marking machine is designed for deep VIN marking on high-strength materials, with integration options for robotic automation and traceability. For automotive engineers and production managers evaluating marking solutions, understanding the capabilities and specifications of deep laser marking is key to meeting traceability and durability requirements.
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