Laser Marking in the Electric Vehicle Industry

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.

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 recognise 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 centre 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, optimising 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 1800-396-5010(Singapore)/ +65-6392-1011 to discuss our EV-specific laser marking solutions.