The application method is determined from relief, stroke structure, tool marks, the nature of edges, effects on the material and surface features.
What you can do
- collect photographs of the marking and an overall view of the product;
- preserve the surface without further cleaning;
- formulate appropriate questions for the expert;
- prepare a specialist opinion or an expert report review.
Application method and content of the marking
The legible text of a marking does not always establish how it was formed. To distinguish application methods, the surface, material, relief and other available features are examined. The name of the presumed equipment must not replace a description of what was actually found.
What to prepare for inspection
- The overall appearance of the product and the location of each marking.
- Unaltered photographs under the available lighting conditions.
- Documents for the model, batch and individual item.
- The history of repairs, coating and cleaning of the area being examined.
Similar markings may serve different purposes: a part's product code and a finished product's number do not have to match. Comparison is carried out after clarifying the marking's structure, rather than requiring complete visual identity.
Do not improve legibility through mechanical or chemical intervention before reaching agreement with the expert. The feasibility of establishing the application method and the presence of signs of alteration are assessed separately, taking account of surface preservation.
On this subject: Illegible markings: what to record on the product and packaging.