Direct part marking adds SC visibility

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 10/1/2005

Companies are embracing direct product marking to trace parts and products throughout a warehouse environment. That's what John Piatek, vice president of technology for Freedom Technologies Corp., told attendees of the recent AutoTech 2005 Conference. "With the marking technology, companies are seeing their overall supply chain visibility dramatically improve," Piatek explains. "It really error-proofs the process."

Mentioning that higher accuracy rates are the biggest benefit of marking, Piatek adds that companies are also seeing increased quality, higher inventory turns, increased efficiency and improved compliance labeling with the technology. "Whenever possible," he says, "coupling 2-dimensional bar codes with automated readers is suggested to avoid adding work to your labor force."

The most popular marking techniques available today are laser and pin marking. Aiding in the proliferation of the technology is the precipitous drop in marking technology pricing in recent months, he mentions.

Piatek adds that he's seeing marking being developed in other markets as well. In addition to the United States Postal Service, a major beverage manufacturer is developing the technology. Marking is being used at a soda manufacturer because traditional labels carry bacteria, he mentions.