Innovative Product Marking with Direct Part Marking (DPM)

At Voestalpine BÖHLER Profil GmbH, the shift from outdated inkjet printing to advanced Direct Part Marking (DPM) represents a leap forward in efficiency, durability, and design possibilities. In collaboration with students from HTL Waidhofen/Ybbs and supported by Trotec Laser technology, this project demonstrates how laser-based DPM can revolutionize industrial knife marking and set new industry standards.

Tobias Peham and Sebastian Rinnerberger, students at HTL Waidhofen/Ybbs, wrote a thesis focusing on the modern direct marking of industrial knives at voestalpine BÖHLER Profil GmbH. The aim was to replace outdated inkjet printers with a more efficient, durable and effective marketing system.

The inkjet printers currently in use are reaching their limits: they only allow simple alphanumeric markings, are not abrasion-resistant and are difficult to integrate into modern production lines. Furthermore, stylised brand logos and 2D codes such as DataMatrix are hardly feasible.

he paper analyses four DPM methods:

• Laser marking
• Needle embossing
• Inkjet printing
• Chemical etching

A utility analysis was used to evaluate these methods in terms of abrasion resistance, occupational safety, line integration and cost-effectiveness. Laser marking was found to be the most effective. It produces permanent markings with high precision and can be optimally integrated into automated processes.

In cooperation with Trotec Laser, industrial knives made of various BÖHLER steels (K329, K353 and V945) were laser marked. The tests confirmed:

• The laser marking process had no negative effects on the hardness or overall quality of the steel, ensuring the knives' performance and durability were maintained.
• The laser produced markings with exceptional legibility and durability, meaning they will remain crisp and clear even after extensive use and exposure to harsh conditions.
• The technology proved suitable for a variety of marking requirements, including complex DataMatrix codes for traceability and detailed brand logos for product identification.

DPM offers technical advantages and strategic marketing opportunities. For example, permanently affixing logos and QR codes to products strengthens brand presence and creates a direct link to digital content, such as product information or company websites.

Introducing a laser system for direct marking is a forward-looking decision for voestalpine BÖHLER Profil GmbH. It improves traceability and quality assurance, and offers new opportunities in customer communication and brand building.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Voestalpine Böhler Profil GmbH, as well as to the dedicated graduate students, Tobias Peham and Sebastian Rinnerberger, for their excellent cooperation in relation to their theses. We were pleased to provide our technology and expertise in industrial laser marking to support the students in their practical experiments. The results demonstrate the versatility and power of our laser systems in industrial product marking for tracking, quality assurance and brand reinforcement. We are proud to have been part of this forward-looking project, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to the efficiency and innovative strength of our partners by providing them with our solutions in the future.