Direct Part Mark quality guidelines

AIM Global (www.aimglobal.org), the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, has announced the publication of the Direct Part Mark (DPM) Quality Guideline. The document is intended to be a bridge between existing print quality standardsand the direct mark environment.

DPM is a technology whereby an item is physically altered by methods such as dot peening, laser etching, molding or embossing to produce two different surface conditions. As a result, there is often very little or no contrast between the “marked” elements of a symbol and the background. Contrast needed to decode a bar code can be achieved by using specifi c types oflighting and signal processing techniques.

“Direct part marking is quickly becoming a major component in aerospace, government and many other fi elds where parts or asset identifi cation is critical. By successfully addressing the unique circumstances and environments presented by DPM applications, this AIM group has delivered a tool that can assist in understanding of and consistency in DPM marks and aid businesses utilizing this powerful technology,” said Daniel Mullen,AIM Global’s president.