Terminology can be an even greater bewilderment in the realm of direct part marking (DPM) and industrial traceability, as can the machinery it deals with. When you have been doing any research on permanent marking solutions of metals or hard plastics, you have no doubt heard two distinct terms: Dot Peen and Micropercussion.

The difference (or absence) of quality control is significant to manufacturers, quality control managers, and procurement officers. Do you purchase two different technologies? Which is better to mark VINs, Data Matrix codes, or serial numbers? Or are we not just dealing with a situation of local speech variations?

This detailed manual goes deep into the mechanics of these systems to provide an answer to this burning question: Is there any actual difference between dot peen and Micropercussion marking?

What is Dot Peen Marking?

We need to create a baseline of the actual activity of this technology first to be able to make the comparison. Dot peen marking refers to a mechanical process of creating permanent marks on the surface of a material.

The system makes use of a stylus, which is usually tipped with carbide or diamond, and is used to hit the part surface. This actuation may either be pneumatic (air-driven) or electromechanical (solenoid-driven). The stylus vibrates as it moves over the X and Y axes, and this vibration hits the material to form a series of very close dots.

When these dots are considered as a distance, they can create straight lines, curves, alphanumeric characters, or machine-readable codes that are 2D (such as QR code or Data Matrix code). 

What is Micropercussion Marking?

Micropercussion marking is a term often used in technical specifications, especially by European manufacturers or in translated technical literature.

Etymologically, micro means smallness of the marking, and percussion means the striking or hitting. Thus, Micropercussion marking tells about a process in which a small tool hits the surface multiple times in order to create a mark.

The marking is the same as dot peen marking, mechanically. Micropercussion marking is also referred to as dot peen in the world of industrial marking.

The Core Comparison: Analyzing the “Differences”

If the technologies are functionally identical, why do we have the two terms, and do they suggest any functional variations in the machinery you may purchase?

1. Regional and Linguistic Variables

The first one is linguistic and not technological in nature. The most used term in North America, the UK, and common manufacturing industries of the English-speaking world is “Dot Peen”. It is descriptive: it produces a dot with the help of a striking tool called a peen.

Micropercussion, on the other hand, is a literal translation of French (micro-percussion), Spanish, or Italian technical terms. In the cases where their brochures and technical data sheets are localized to appeal to a worldwide audience, the label Micropercussion marking is often kept.

2. Pneumatic versus Electromagnetic

Although this is not a strict rule, it is possible that some suppliers will use the term Dot Peen to denote any indentation marker, and that they will use the term Micropercussion to designate more precise electromagnetic systems.

• Pneumatic Systems: These involve the use of compressed air to move the stylus. They tend to be quicker and can reach higher levels of mark depth, and are recommended to be used on heavy steel structures, VIN marking, and raw castings.
• Electromagnetic Systems: Electromagnetic systems apply an electric solenoid. They are more consistent in the depth of dots and tend to be noisier. This fine, electric actuation may be referred to as micropercussion in some of the premium brochures to distinguish it in the marketplace from the more coarse pneumatic “dot peen,” but again, marketing, not science.

3. Frequency and Quality of stylus

Micropercussion is occasionally equated with high-frequency stylus vibration. A conventional dot peen machine may have a reduced frequency, resulting in visible gaps between dots. A micropercussion system could purport to reach even a significantly higher frequency, and the dots could be rounded off to be very close to each other as a continuous line (commonly referred to as vibro-peen or continuous line marking). 

Why Is It a Necessary Technology?

Dot peen or micropercussion technology has been proven to be the gold standard of industrial traceability due to a few reasons:-

Unmatched Durability

Dot peen marks are physical marks, unlike inkjet printing or labeling, which can be faded, peeled, or scrubbed away. They are marked in the material structure. These render them legible even when the part has been shot blasted, painted, or decades of weathering have taken place.

Material Versatility

These machines are capable of marking a vast range of materials. They are typical of metals- soft aluminum to hardened steel (maximum 62 HRC). Nevertheless, they can also work on hard plastics.

Cost-Effectiveness

Dot peen/micropercussion systems are much cheaper in terms of initial capital compared to laser marking systems. They are also strong and have low maintenance requirements. No consumables (ink or filters, etc.) are used other than a stylus tip, sharpened or replaced now and then.

Data Capability

Controllers of these machines are advanced in the modern world. They are capable of automatically serializing numbers, importing data in the form of Excel files, and creating complex Data Matrix codes that can be scanned to provide complete lifecycle traceability.

Conclusion

You should not think about the semantic debate when you are choosing a machine to add to your production line. Pay attention to the quality of the building of the machine, its software, and the service provided by the manufacturer. But can the brochure relate to dot peen or micropercussion? Then you are investing in the surest procedure to permanent industrial traceability to date.

Require permanent marking products? Speak with MarknStamp today and receive industry-specific dot peen machines at high quality.

FAQs

1. Can microperfection be better than laser marking? 

It is cheaper and leaves more profound marks that cannot be painted, whereas a laser is quicker and more suitable when a high-contrast appearance is required.

2. Are QR codes marked by dot peen machines? 

Yes, they are capable of marking 2D Data Matrix codes and QR codes, capable of being read by any industrial barcode reader.

3. Do these machines need an air compressor? 

Pneumatic models need to be powered by compressed air, whilst electromagnetic (electric) models require a regular power outlet.