Laser Technology Makes Its Mark in Aerospace & Defense

Procurement in aerospace and defense manufacturing is very complex. Unlike commercial manufacturing, where procurement heavily focuses on driving down unit costs and managing just-in-time inventory, procurement operates under strict national security mandates, extreme quality requirements, and multi-decade lifecycles.

It is a world where a single unvetted part can ground a fleet or trigger millions of dollars in federal fines.

“In aerospace and defense manufacturing, traceability is vitally important,” said Nicholas Kaczmarski, National Sales Manager at Beamer. “For traceability to work, clear and accurate marking of components is critical; and for clarity, permanence, and accuracy, there’s no better solution than laser marking.”

Legacy Methods vs. Laser Marking

Legacy marking systems including ink, dot peen and chemical etching, that are still at work in some aerospace and defense manufacturing operations can present problems, according to Kaczmarski.

“Ink marking is vulnerable to damage from foreign substances like oil and it carries the additional cost of the ink,” he says. “Chemical etching, like ink marking, carries the additional cost of acid-based paint and template paper; and, because of the waste produced by the system, requires manufacturers to maintain wastewater treatment systems to dispose of chemical waste. Dot peen is effective in permanent marking metal but reading dot peen marking may be a problem for high-definition, high speed devices; and, because it is a mechanical process, there are concerns regarding maintenance and repair.”

All three of these legacy systems also share a common drawback, compared with laser marking systems, according to Kaczmarski – they’re time-consuming.

“Laser marking is fast, flexible, repeatable, enhances traceability, and it’s a one-button operation,” he explains. “It saves time in the manufacturing process because it relies on programable actions that reduce operator interface. Part numbers and bar codes can be created with consistency throughout production of all parts and components. This speeds up cycle time and increases productivity.”

Kaczmarski also notes that the software associated with laser marking is capable of automatically  generating vital information like serial numbers, versus keying in vital information with ink and chemical etching marking. It’s a more straightforward process that enhances the traceability required by regulatory standards for both aerospace and defense manufacturing.

Regulations and Standards Govern these Industries

Stringent government regulations and industry standards control all the manufacturing processes – including parts marking – for the commercial aerospace and defense industries. Adherence to these regulations and standards is critical to any manufacturer maintaining its business sustainability.

Let’s look at the reasons for regulations and standards.

Regulatory authorities including the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mandate that aerospace and defense components be permanently marked to ensure authenticity and traceability throughout the supply chain and into service.

Although marking itself adds no intrinsic value to a component and performs no technical functional, it is central to the smooth operation of the industry. It allows components to be correctly tracked, identified, assembled, maintained, and positioned throughout the manufacturing process.

So, where does laser marking fit in within these regulations and standards?

“In defense manufacturing, a DoD standard, often called a military standard (MIL-STD or MIL-SPEC), is used to help achieve standardization,” says Kaczmarski. “MIL-STD-130 standardizes ‘Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property’ and provides direction on how to mark parts and systems sold to the DoD. The latest version, MIL-STD-130N, specifies laser marking as an approved method. The same is true in commercial aerospace.

“The FAA adheres to AS9100C, a standard published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) titled ‘Quality Systems-Aerospace-Model for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installation and Servicing’,” he adds. “Laser marking is approved within this internationally recognized standard for commercial aviation as well.”

Shift to Laser Marking Technology

With increased accuracy and speed, its range of application in metals, composites, and exotic materials, and its cost-effectiveness, laser marking holds a clear advantage over any other marking system in aerospace and defense manufacturing.

“OEMs in aerospace and defense are pushing suppliers to improve traceability and accuracy,” Kaczmarski says. “When combined with the additional pressures these OEMs are putting on suppliers to decrease cycle time, improve productivity and cut costs, it’s going to require a move away from legacy marking systems and embracing laser marking technology.”

And Beamer Laser Marking Systems is equipped to help those suppliers of any size.

“Beamer has a CAGE (CommeLegacy marking systems like ink printing, dot peening, and chemical etching are generally associated with certain setbacks.

“Ink marking is vulnerable to damage from abrasion and foreign substances like oil, plus it comes with continuous ink replenishment costs,” Kaczmarski said. “Chemical etching carries the additional cost of acid-based paint and templates; and it also requires proper disposal procedures for the secondary waste. Dot peening is a permanent solution for metal, but presents legibility issues for high-definition, high speed production. As a mechanical process, it requires recurring maintenance and repair.”

All three of these legacy marking methods share a common drawback: they’re time-consuming.

Laser marking does not need ink, chemicals, or drilling bits. Instead, it relies on high-intensity infrared light to create a permanent mark on the surface.

“Beamer delivers laser marking systems that offer fast, permanent, repeatable results – in a programmable one-button operation,” Kaczmarski said. “We save manufacturers time and long-term operational costs because laser marking is non-contact and consumable-free, and our semi-automated machines really help reduce operator involvement.”

Beamer’s software can be connected to external databases and automated in generating serial numbers, facilitating logging in of critical information. The company prides itself in offering a straightforward process that enhances the traceability required by regulatory standards in aerospace and defense manufacturing.

Regulations & Standards for Part Marking

Regulatory authorities including the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) mandate that aircraft and defense components be permanently marked to ensure authenticity and traceability throughout the supply chain and into service.

Although marking itself adds no intrinsic value to a component and performs no technical function, it is central to the smooth operation of the industry. It allows components to be correctly tracked, identified, assembled, maintained, and positioned throughout the manufacturing process.

So, where does laser marking fit in within these regulations and standards?

“In defense manufacturing, a military standard (MIL-STD), helps achieve standardization,” says Kaczmarski. “MIL-STD-130 defines the ‘Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property’ and provides direction on the unique identification (UID) of parts and systems sold to the DOD. Laser marking is an approved method according to this regulation.”

The same is true in commercial aerospace. Under FAA rules, specifically 14 CFR Part 45, manufacturers must permanently mark critical aviation components, replacement parts, and modified parts. Laser technology is also explicitly specified and widely accepted as a permanent, high-resolution marking method across both FAA and DOD standards.

Choose Beamer as Your Trusted Supplier of Laser Marking

Integrating laser marking directly into production lines allows manufacturers to maximize throughput and precision while using a single technology across diverse metals and aerospace composites. Beamer laser marking stations eliminate the need for mechanical retooling, significantly reducing cycle times and operational costs. The result is permanent, high-contrast, machine-readable codes that guarantee seamless FAA and MIL-STD-130 compliance without slowing down the line.

Beamer engineers work alongside your production experts to deliver turnkey laser marking systems tailored to your specific workflows, materials, and regulatory demands. Whether you seek to mark parts for internal traceability or achieve compliance with MIL-STD and other sector-specific standards, we help you ensure every mark satisfies the exact technical, durability, and verification criteria of your industry.

See our technology in action: visit our machine shop to meet the team and experience laser marking of your materials firsthand.


Talk to a laser marking expert today!