Application: Precisely mark and identify components, pipes and defective areas
Marking paint as visible process information
Industrial markings are used for quality control, component identification, fault marking or process management. A clearly visible colour mark can indicate, for example, whether an inspection step has been completed, where a fault was detected or which production batch a component belongs to.
This application must be distinguished from high-resolution printing and coding systems. The focus is on robust dots, lines, surfaces or markings that are sprayed with a suitable marking paint. Depending on the requirement, the marking can be permanently, temporarily or can be removed for a later processing step.
Typical areas of application
Marking and signing occurs in almost all industries. Typical applications are:
- Defects and test features on metal, plastic or rubber components
- Labelling of pipes, profiles, sheets and large components
- Marking of welds, interfaces and machining positions
- Colour marking of variants, quality classes or production batches
- Control marks after assembly, tightness or function tests
- Signing of casting, forging and series components
- temporary markings for subsequent production steps
Point, line or limited colour surface
The geometry of the marking determines the nozzle selection and control. Short switching pulses generate points or compact markings. The movement of the component or spray gun creates lines and longer markings. A flat beam can be used for wider markings, while a round beam allows small and clearly limited colour surfaces.
In the case of pipes and long profiles, the marking must be synchronised with transport speed and component position. Sensors or customer-side controls can trigger the spray pulse as soon as the workpiece reaches the defined position.
Requirements for marking paints and spraying process
Marking colours must be clearly visible on the respective surface and dry within the available time. Pigments can settle, while fast drying media tend to dry on the nozzle. Therefore, material guidance, switching behaviour and cleaning process are particularly important.
- precise start of spray and clean end of spray
- little after-dripping and clearly defined markings
- Stable shade due to sufficient stirring of pigmented media
- good adhesion or defined remoteness
- short drying time suitable for cycle time
- low color consumption and little overspray
- rapid flushing during color or product changes
Resistance and removal of markings
Depending on the process, a marking must remain visible for only a few minutes or accompany the component via storage, transport and further processing. The appropriate marking colour is therefore selected according to substrate, drying time, abrasion resistance and desired removal. A paint that adheres to oily metal parts can behave completely differently on plastic or rubber.
Follow-up steps such as washing, painting, welding or heat treatment must also be taken into account. The marking must not inadvertently affect these processes. Krautzberger tests whether the paint can be applied cleanly; chemical resistance and process compatibility are validated with the colour manufacturer and operator.
- temporary or permanent marking
- Adhesive to dry, oily or rough surfaces
- Resistance to abrasion and cleaning
- Compatibility with subsequent processes
- visible contrast to the component
Krautzberger spraying technology for marking tasks
Compact manual spray guns can be used for manual markings. Automatic markings can be realized with fast switching automatic spray guns. Depending on the desired size, fine round beam, flat beam or special nozzle designs are considered. Nozzle extensions help to mark hard-to-reach areas or interiors.
Depending on consumption, the supply is supplied via small material containers, material pressure vessels or pump systems. Material pressure controllers ensure that the amount of paint remains constant even with short spray pulses. Agitators or appropriate circulation may be required for sedimentating marking inks.
Integration into test and production lines
Automatic spray guns can be mounted on brackets, axes, robots or directly at test stations. The control can be linked to test result, workpiece detection or machine cycle. Thus only the tested or defective component receives the intended marking.
For a stable line spray spacing, marking time, material pressure and position must be repeatable. At the same time, the nozzle should remain easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning. Shields and suction can prevent paint mist from polluting adjacent sensors or machine areas.
Advantages of a coordinated marking solution
- Fast and clearly visible marking
- precise points, lines or sections
- low material consumption with short spray pulses
- easy integration into test and production facilities
- Flexible adaptation to different colours and components
- manual and automatic solutions from a system world
Trials at the Krautzberger technical centre
Marking colours differ in pigmentation, viscosity, drying, adhesion and purity. In the technical test centre, original colour and sample component are used. The nozzle, marking size, pressure, switching time, distance and movement can be adjusted.
Together with the customer, it is assessed whether visibility, adhesion, drying time and limitation of markings meet the requirements. This results in a solution that can be reliably integrated into the intended test or production process.
Related products
All products
Matching solution for your marking task
Are you looking for a marking gun, an automatic sprayer for signing paint or a complete material supply? Krautzberger supports you from the nozzle selection to automated integration.
Get in touch with us and talk to us about color, marking size, component, cycle time and desired durability.
Industries for this application
Coloured dots and lines can identify inspection steps, defective areas or production batches directly on the component. In foundries, automotive manufacturing and other production areas, these markings must be clearly recognisable and suited to the respective workflow.
