Laser Marking for Total Tire Traceability

4JET has developed a novel laser marking process – SCANNECTTM (short for “scan and connect”) that can engrave an individual and permanent QR Code or DataMatrix Code in tire sidewalls. The high contrast engraving is the world’s first solution that can be read using public domain apps available for Apple iOS or Android devices.

Tire with laser markings
Left: QR Code
Right: DataMatrix Code
The QR Code is readable by your smartphone camera

4JET SCANNECTTM App
provides best reading results
even in case of difficult lighting conditions or contaminated codes.

The SCANNECTTM solution makes a long standing wish of the tire industry become true: being able to trace tires throughout their life cycle and to get in closer touch with its end customers.

QR Code is still readable after more than 50,000 km
Laser engraved QR Code on a tire sidewall – black on black

The process is superior to the common tire marking technologies:

  • machine readable paper barcodes that have a limited lifetime
  • molded QR Codes are not unique, but only tool-specific
  • engraved plain text serial codes requires to type in numbers offline

SCANNECTTM enables a one of a kind product identification that can directly link to a web based CRM database. Such a direct link provides advantages for all stakeholders in the value chain of a tire:

  • Manufacturers can get to know their end customers and address them with specific marketing campaigns, such as warranty extensions, winter tire promotions and social media campaigns.

  • OE car tire manufacturers can employ QR Codes as a means of assuring traceability and reducing the impact of product recalls.

  • Commercial fleet managers can use laser markings to organize inventory, track usage and prevent theft.

  • End customers can retrieve valuable technical and commercial information about their tire specs, suitable replacements or quickly enter online market places to sell used tires.

The crisp laser markings are either applied in the tire factory, further downstream in the car/wheel assembly or at the point of sale. Laser engraved QR Codes are recessed into the surface of the tire and hence protected from wear. Additional engravings such as tire labels, OE markings, or plain text are no problem either.

Marking is performed by the latest version of 4JET´s proven line of T-Mark systems that are widely used for engraving serial numbers or logos in new and retread tire manufacturing worldwide.

For more information visit the SCANNECTTM Website

SCANNECTTM