Automotive

A modern vehicle contains thousands of individual components, each of which may need a specific part number. The cost to a vehicle manufacturer of dealing with the consequences of a defective part can be huge, taking into account not just recall costs, but possible fines, loss of share value and damage to reputation. Linx direct part marking solutions, particularly 2D codes, can combine with vision systems to deliver robust and reliable traceability.

In addition, the need for durable, clear and accurate codes is a given, whether for monitoring components through the assembly process, for stock control, anti-counterfeiting, or to meet customer expectations.

Aside from vehicle components, the automotive industry often requires coding and marking solutions for other materials such as cardboard boxes for component packaging. These outer cases usually require text and graphics which are easy to see. Linx Large Character Printers provide a high resolution printing and are easy to set up and adjust, offering a cost-effective alternative to pre-printed boxes or labels.

Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) – perhaps the most cost-effective choice for automotive marking and coding, CIJ maintains an important place as it can print on almost any substrate. A wide range of inks are available to use with CIJ printers including coloured inks to ensure legibility on any colour substrate, UV-readable inks for anti-counterfeiting or water-removable inks for internal traceability, adding yet another dimension to the coding process.

Linx laser coders – used throughout the automotive industry – with the widest range of configurations and can deliver ultra-reliable, permanent codes onto a wide range of materials at high line speeds, including rubber and plastic. 2D codes required for automotive traceability are effectively delivered by laser coders.