Skip to main content
Epilog is having a huge Fall Sale!
Save now on the Fusion Pro, and Fusion Edge!
Home  /  Company  /  Blog  /  How Lasers Can Help Fight Counterfeiting
Epilog is having a huge Fall Sale! Save now on the Fusion Pro, and Fusion Edge!
A jig of engraved identification tags

How Lasers Can Help Fight Counterfeiting

Laser-produced marks can help secure vulnerable industries.

Counterfeiting is big business in the electronics world, manifesting itself through multiple avenues and a wide variety of methods. It is a threat pervasive to every part of the supply chain, from manufacturer to supplier to end user. It’s also a growing threat, according to a 2017 report published by the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the International Chamber of Commerce, which noted that the global economic value of counterfeiting and privacy could reach $2.3 trillion by the year 2022, along with an additional $1.9 trillion in terms of the wider social and economic impact costs.

There are ways to fight counterfeiting, of course, including comparing components to online databases, committing to use only known vendors and so on. But perhaps no anti-counterfeiting measure is more immediate and tangible than the engraving of genuine parts with unique and identifiable marks, like the ones you can achieve with an Epilog Laser system.

Metal part engraved with CerMark in an Epilog CO2 laser machine.
Metal drill bit engraved with CerMark in an Epilog CO2 laser machine.

Indeed, one of the most valuable applications of laser engraving is the ability to permanently add a name, serial number, company logo or other identifying mark to just about any type of material imaginable – including many materials commonly used in electronics production. Thanks to the high resolution (up to 1,200 dpi) of Epilog’s engraving systems, high-quality marks can also be made within very small dimension parameters. It’s possible to mark everything from a corporate-supplied cellphone or laptop to PCB boards, silicon wafers and semiconductor parts.

In addition to customizable branding, Epilog systems also support unique identification (UID) codes in the form of bar codes, data matrix codes and human-readable text. These are required for identification, traceability and accountability of U.S. government property purchases, and can be applied directly either to an individual part or a non-removable tag affixed to an item. In the European Union, CE Markings are the standard indicator that a product meets essential requirements; mandated for a wide range of product families, including electronics, these too can be produced by an Epilog system.

CE Mark
Small circuit plates engraved with an Epilog fiber laser machine.

Counterfeiting is an insidious problem in today’s manufacturing landscape, and no single tool can address all of its facets. But the introduction of a laser system at any stage in the supply chain can represent an elegant and cost-effective solution that will go a long way toward making possessions more secure, components more trustworthy and businesses more stable. Moreover, proper integration of the system represents an important step toward a safer, surer world.

For more information on using a laser machine to create identification marks, contact us to set up a demonstration with the distributor in your area.

Other News

New App allows users to control equipment through Mac operating systems.
Fusion Maker 24 and 36 now part of company’s laser product offerings
Our Fans Asked, and we Answered – Here’s a look at 10 of the most frequently asked questions our fans ask, along with answers from our experts!
Newest system combines fast engraving of metals with quick and efficient project setup
A fun way to use your laser machine to achieve a unique look on leather.
Why are Epilog Laser machines built with air-cooled metal laser tubes?

Have a story you want to see featured?

Amy Dallman

Press Contact for Epilog Laser:

– Amy Dallman,
Marketing Communications Specialist

About Epilog Laser

Since 1988, Epilog Laser has been designing and manufacturing flying-optics-based CO2 and fiber laser systems that can engrave and cut wood, acrylic, plastic, fabric, rubber and many other materials. Epilog specializes in developing laser systems that create unprecedented marking and cutting quality on all types of products. The company produces versatile and reliable systems that are affordable and easy to use.