Article re-posted with permission from Parker Hannifin Sealing & Shielding Team.
Original content can be found on Parker’s Blog.
Protect Your Seal Aftermarket with Part Identification Technologies
Parker is revolutionizing part identification technology with a multitude of options. Customers are able to benefit from various identification methods such as non-permanent and permanent part markings by selecting their part number and company logo on the seal. For more advanced identification, a customer may opt to use the Parker Tracking System or utilize our RFID seals for tracking purposes. These identification methods ensure product authenticity and reduce seal installation errors by providing visual indicators for the assembly process.
Basic part marking – non-permanent identification
Non-permanent markings are applied to the surface of the seal and can be in the form of a company logo, unique part number, barcode, or other seal information. Non-permanent markings ensure Parker’s part origin, enables part level traceability and provides an easily visible cue to operators. This value-added feature helps reduce installation errors in addition to protecting customers against counterfeit seals.
As shown in the image to the left, adding the part number and company logo to a seal is a good way to ensure the consumer authenticity of the part they are purchasing. Part marking the seal using Parker’s proprietary process also helps catch any counterfeit parts in the market. This value-added service is inexpensive and in most instances, is offset by the gain in the aftermarket sales it provides.
This method has additional uses in production to provide poka-yoke by helping differentiate similar parts and ensures the correct part is used in today’s fast-paced integrated production lines and dealer facilities.
Advanced part marking – permanently marked surface modification
Parker Hannifin Engineered Materials Group has been instrumental in developing a permanently marked surface modification to use on various types of seal products. Unlike non-permanent markings, where the part marking could eventually wear off due to friction or use, a proprietary surface modification is used to place the customer's name or logo on the seal without compromising seal performance. Some examples are shown in pictures below.
Add a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology) tag to log all details
Our patented technology integrates RFID technology into seals, providing a multitude of benefits:
Unique electronic identification for each seal
A proprietary method is used to integrate the RFID chip into the seal, which means that the RFID cannot be removed without damaging the seal. This, in conjunction with our PTS system, provides positive authentication with the use of a scanner or a smartphone, making it convenient for users across the world to verify the authenticity of the product. Any information (for example What, When, Where etc…) stored in this RFID chip can be read when the product is scanned, which means the information stays with the product even after it is removed from its original packaging and installed.
Eliminates mixed seals of similar size/color
Since the seals contain a RFID chip, it ensures the correct part is installed onto the product. It is also possible to scan the final assembly to determine that the seals have been installed, eliminating human error. This decreases downtime caused by line delays and quality issues resulting from installation errors.
Eliminates counterfeit/fraudulent seals in the supply chain
With the proprietary technology of Parker, the customer can rest assured that any counterfeit part has been eliminated from the market. Since the information on the RFID chip is tracked and stored in the database, it becomes very difficult for other manufacturers to make counterfeit parts.
Aftermarket product verification
The consumer is able to authenticate the seals and protect his warranty by scanning the part and ensuring that the seal is from the OEM of the product, thus helping the company capture the aftermarket business.
Additionally, Parker offers PTS (Parker Tracking System) for companies who do not have their own database or software. PTS is a web-based service for customers to verify and identify Parker products by using Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID).
Watch the video and see PTS and RFID technology in action:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN6SLKP49TY&feature=youtu.be[/embed]
For more information on Parker's part identification technologies, please contact our Applications Engineers via our live chat service on Parker O-Ring & Engineered Seals Division's website.
This article was contributed by Vivek Sarasam, hheavyduty-mobile senior applications engineer, Engineered Materials Group