Two-dimensional (2D) code marking offers more benefits than traditional barcode marking systems, says marking and identification company Traceability Solutions sales executive Kelby Parker.

The company has introduced the new 2D TMP4500E elec- tronic hand-held marking head to the local market. The machine tools industry makes use of the technology by marking company assets and tools that go in and out of the workshop.

The product marks up to 0.46 mm deep in mild steel with speeds of up to two characters a second when marking 3 mm high and 5 × 7 dot matrix characters at a depth of up to 0.25 mm.

The marking head weighs less than 3 kg, excluding the electronic cables and has a dual- handle design for ease of use.

With 2D code marking, an individual component can be marked with critical information specified for that item. The information in the code is scattered in the tab and if up to 25% of the code is damaged, the user can still retrieve the information on the code.

The marking system enables permanent marking of all machinery and tools to enable traceability. The marking system is useful for work in progress tracking, process control and inventory control.

“Readers for 2D are more sophisticated than normal barcode readers. Readers can be linked to computers with applications running on them for real-time information on the scanned part,” says Parker.

He adds that the system is completely electric and enables deep marking of parts and machinery without the need for air.

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