Laser Marking in the Electric Vehicle Industry

Many components in the EV manufacturing process need to be precisely marked. Laser marking produces reliable results on all sizes, from small connectors to larger battery packs. Traceability systems rely on these marks to track parts through the manufacturing process and through their entire life cycle.

Battery management benefits greatly from laser-marked identification. Each cell can receive unique codes that help monitor performance and safety parameters. The automotive industry continues to develop new applications as vehicles become more sophisticated and component counts increase. With that said, EV laser technology will continue to assist.

Since EV parts must endure severe environments, permanent identification is essential. Laser marking for electric vehicles is not affected by heat, chemicals, or friction, unlike labels or ink. This benefit of quality control ensures EV component traceability throughout a vehicle's life.

Laser marking significantly increases production efficiency. Systems have less downtime and integrate readily into assembly lines. Another significant benefit is waste minimization, as laser marking does away with consumables like labels and ink. The precision technology also allows for marking in hard-to-reach areas without compromising part integrity.

This section introduces marking and printing applications useful in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. In recent years, laser marking has become widely used to mark electric vehicle parts and components, such as the vehicle's make and model, as well as its serial number. This helps to ensure that these parts and vehicles can be traced back to their manufacturer when they need to be repaired or serviced.

Laser marking electric vehicles is a quick, efficient, and reliable way to provide this information, and it can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, including metal, plastic, and glass. It is often used on both EV batteries and ECUs. Additionally, laser marking can be used to add aesthetics to EV parts. This can include company logos, slogans, or other designs.

Since fake components pose significant safety issues in electric vehicles, component authentication becomes essential. Only authentic parts are allowed to enter the supply chain thanks to the tamper-proof identification provided by direct part marking for electric vehicles. Every step of the production process is improved by this degree of security.

Supply chain management in the EV industry relies heavily on DPM technology. With thousands of parts in each vehicle, tracking becomes impossible without reliable EV laser marking. Warranty service also depends on proper identification to determine if components are original and within their service period. This verification system protects both manufacturers and consumers.

Batteries are the primary power source of electric and hybrid vehicles. They regain their power through direct charging or vehicle deceleration. Automotive manufacturers recently started using lithium-ion batteries, which have a larger capacity and a more compact/lightweight design compared to traditional options.

As a vital component of EVs, batteries need clear markings as they become more common in vehicles worldwide, helping track each part from factory to road. EV battery marking handles many applications, including:

Inverters convert stored electricity from DC to AC and supply AC to the motor. Because motors rotate over a wide angle while a vehicle is operated, inverters must meticulously control the supplied electricity.

These sensors are installed in the bumper and detect obstacles up to about 1 m away. They are used in parking and notify the driver of nearby obstacles.

Forward vehicle cameras are used to alert the driver of other vehicles, pedestrians and traffic signs. Cameras are good at detecting relatively close objects and can recognize white lines indicating traffic lanes, crosswalks and speed limit signs.

Rear-facing vehicle cameras display the area behind a vehicle. This video feed is displayed on the navigation monitor when the vehicle is backing up. Rear cameras often use CMD lenses because they are able to display the left, right and center areas behind a vehicle.

A DC-DC converter drives electrical components in vehicles such as the headlights, wipers, and audio system by converting stored high voltage to a low voltage direct current. Electrical components in vehicles require more and more power, resulting in a need for increased power capacity and a compact, lightweight design.

The ECU is the brain of the vehicle, optimizing the movement of the various drive mechanisms. It electronically controls the engine, airbags, transmission, and other parts according to operating conditions. ECU development continues to evolve, with higher levels of control obtained every day.

Milliwave radar sensors detect objects in a large area up to 100 m ahead. Forward sensors measure the distance to the preceding vehicle, rear sensors detect vehicles and pedestrians in blind spots, and front sensors help prevent crossing accidents (that commonly occur at intersections).

The electric vehicle industry has seen massive growth in recent years. In 2020, EV sales reached 2.1 million units, up from 1.6 million in 2019. This trend is expected to continue, with Bloomberg estimating just over half of passenger cars sold in the US will be electric vehicles by 2030. The industry has also seen rapid expansion in terms of manufacturing capacity.

This rapid growth is being driven by increasing consumer demand, as well as government incentives and regulations. With EVs becoming increasingly affordable and convenient, the need for laser marking in the industry will continually rise.

Because laser marking is permanent and can be done on a variety of materials, it is an ideal choice for EV manufacturers. Direct laser marking (DLM) is a type of laser marking that is done without the need for any intervening material. This makes direct laser marking perfect for marking objects made of heat-sensitive or delicate materials, which are common inside EVs.

The benefits of laser marking in the automotive industry are numerous. Laser marked components are easier to trace and identify, and they are less likely to be damaged or tampered with. In addition, laser marking can be used to add aesthetic appeal to electric vehicles. When considering all of these factors, it is clear that laser marking is an important part of the electric vehicle industry.

As the industry continues to grow, laser marking electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the safety and traceability of their parts. KEYENCE is a worldwide leader in laser marking systems. Contact us today at 1-888-539-3623 to discuss our EV-specific laser marking solutions.