How to Get Control over Industrial Part Marking Noise

Anyone who has worked in a manufacturing environment knows that machinery can be incredibly loud. Dot peen marking machines are no different. While most direct part marking processes stay well within acceptable decibel limits, certain applications can reach dangerously high levels if not properly managed. How can you ensure quiet marking in your facility? Many industries, such as automotive, metal fabrication, and oil & gas, require deep markings for identification and traceability, often achieved through dot peen technology. The carbide pin used in dot peen marking can create deep, lasting impressions, but the sound generated can vary depending on the material being marked. Hard, hollow components like metal tubing, downhole pipes, wheel rims, and flanges tend to produce louder noises during the marking process. If left unaddressed, these excessive noise levels can become challenging to manage, posing risks to employee health and safety. Fortunately, there are several strategies to mitigate dot peen marking noise if you identify a potential hazard. So, if you thought personal protective equipment (PPE) was your only solution, think again. Your plant's noise levels shouldn't keep you awake at night—literally or figuratively. Discover how you can achieve quiet marking while maintaining the deep, permanent marks your industry demands. ### Related Products: Achieve Fast, Quiet Marking with MECCO's Scribe Marking Machine #### Key Topics: - What Are the Noise Level Standards in Industry? - How Do You Know if Noise Is a Problem in Your Operation? - What Are the Risks of Industrial Noise? - How to Control Industrial Noise for Dot Peen Marking - Should You Choose a Dot Peen Machine or a Scribe Machine? - Finding the Right Marking Solution for Improved Noise Control ### Understanding Noise Level Standards in Industry It’s no secret that manufacturing generates various levels of noise. But how loud is too loud? Occupational noise is regulated globally. Manufacturing workers face significant risks due to their work environments. In fact, approximately 22 million U.S. manufacturing workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels annually. However, these issues are preventable. Organizations like the U.S. Department of Labor have established standards and controls to safeguard workers. OSHA’s noise exposure standards stipulate that sound levels should not surpass 90 dBA over an eight-hour workday, known as the permissible exposure limit (PEL). With an 8-hour TWA, the threshold rises as exposure time decreases. For instance, at four hours of exposure, the maximum dBA is 95. At 15 minutes, it drops to 115 dBA. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, sets its own eight-hour exposure limit at 85 dBA, based on updated research. They also operate with a lower exchange rate of 3 dBA, meaning the 15-minute exposure limit would be 100 dBA. Internationally, noise thresholds can vary. The European Union’s Directive 2003/10/EC sets the maximum limit at 87 dBA. Meanwhile, countries like Denmark and Norway adhere to an 85 dBA standard. ### Recognizing Noise Problems in Your Operation Dot peen marking is essential for many operations, especially those requiring compliance with industry regulations or traceability programs. So, how can you continue marking your products effectively while ensuring employee safety? The noise levels produced by dot peen marking depend largely on the material and product being engraved. For example, marking a hollow component made of a hard material like steel will generate louder sounds compared to a solid component that absorbs more of the sound waves. There are several ways to determine if noise is becoming a concern in your facility. According to OSHA, key indicators include: - Do you experience ringing or humming in your ears after work? - Have you noticed temporary hearing loss? - Do you have to raise your voice to communicate with someone standing three feet away? - Have you conducted a sound level test showing decibel levels exceeding the allowed threshold? If you’ve answered "yes" to any of these questions, there may be a problem. Both OSHA and NIOSH offer sound measurement tools. NIOSH provides a downloadable Sound Level Meter App, developed by acoustic engineers and hearing loss experts. At MECCO, our specialists use similar tools in our lab to test and measure decibel levels when marking customer products. #### Resource: Let Us Test Mark Your Parts with Our Scribe Machine and Receive a Complimentary Report. Request Your Test Today! ### The Dangers of Industrial Noise Protecting your employees is crucial. How do you shield both your workforce and your company from the dangers of industrial noise? If you’ve ever heard the sound of a pin marker engraving a serial number onto a metal tube, you might have been exposed to over 100 dB. How does this level of noise affect people? One early sign of noise hazards in the workplace is irritation and stress. Overstressed operators may struggle to perform at their best, impacting productivity. Over time, repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss. Excessive noise can damage nerve endings in the ear, resulting in difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds and understanding speech. Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment to reverse permanent hearing loss, making these consequences particularly severe. Such employee injuries not only affect individuals but also impact entire organizations. Regulations require companies to report hazardous noise-related incidents. However, studies suggest that between 20% to 70% of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses go unreported. Employees can file complaints and, in some states, claim workers' compensation benefits if they believe their hearing has been harmed on the job. ### Controlling Industrial Noise for Dot Peen Marking If you’ve identified noise levels as an issue in your facility, how can you minimize risks? Every operation should carefully evaluate these options to mark parts as safely and efficiently as possible. OSHA categorizes industrial noise control into four main areas: 1. **Engineering Controls**: Their primary recommendation is to modify or replace the noise source with “low-noise tools or machinery.” Fortunately, you can upgrade or replace your dot peen equipment if it exceeds acceptable noise levels. This is typically the most practical solution and can often eliminate the need for subsequent steps. 2. **Administrative Controls**: Adjusting your workplace to reduce noise exposure is another option. Modifications might include altering when dot peen machines run or limiting the time operators spend near the equipment. 3. **Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs)**: Earplugs and other HPDs can help reduce noise exposure. However, they are usually considered a last resort or used temporarily while implementing engineering or administrative controls. 4. **Hearing Conservation Programs**: When worker noise exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA for an 8-hour shift in a manufacturing facility, employers must implement a hearing conservation program. These programs include regular noise sampling, employee notification about risks, training, and ongoing monitoring. One of the first considerations should be selecting the right part marking company. At MECCO, defining your safety requirements is a key part of our process. We can even test mark your products and train your staff to ensure you meet your operational safety goals. ### Choosing Between Dot Peen and Scribe Marking Machines Once you’ve recognized a noise hazard and understand your options to address it, what’s the next step? You might find yourself in one of these scenarios: - Your operation uses a dot peen machine for identification and traceability, and you’ve determined your current noise levels exceed standard thresholds. - Or, you're considering purchasing a new marking machine and want to make the best choice for your needs. Here are some actions you can take: **Replace:** If you're currently using dot peen technology, the most common low-noise alternative is a scribe machine. Scribes provide deep marks like dot peen but operate smoothly and quietly. The MECCO Scribe Marking Machine averages around 64 dBA on aluminum tubing, marking up to 30% quieter than US standards. This is a vital step in minimizing the risk of hearing loss for your employees. While dot peen machines mark using a stylus that strikes the material as it moves across the part, scribes work by pushing a hardened stylus into the material and then dragging it through. This method produces minimal sound—just slightly above the decibel level of a typical conversation—and creates deep, durable marks for permanent identification and traceability. Another advantage of scribing is the superior mark quality. You get clean, highly legible marks, unlike the dot patterns of pin marks. This is why scribes are chosen for both aesthetic and quiet marking. Although some scribes may lag behind in marking speed, MECCO offers the fastest scribe machine on the market. **Enclose:** Another way to control marking noise is by creating a physical barrier between the noise source and human ears. Enclosures can help. A custom pin marking system with a noise-reducing enclosure housing the marking head adds extra layers of safety. Take a look at this system, designed to meet low-noise requirements. It includes light curtains and dual-hand controls for safety. Place the part inside, activate the hand controls, and the automatic door will close and begin marking. **Adjust:** If a scribe or safety-enclosed pin marker isn’t feasible for your operation, there are still administrative controls you can implement. These involve modifying areas surrounding the sound source to reduce exposure. Administrative controls, HPDs, and hearing conservation programs are some solutions. While these measures can help limit noise exposure, they don’t address the root cause. That’s why OSHA recommends engineering controls before considering other options. ### Finding the Right Marking Solution for Better Noise Control Part marking is essential for your operation. Your solution should be high-quality, efficient, and safe. Ultimately, the most effective approach is addressing the issue at its source. In this case, that means choosing lower-noise equipment like the scribe or a pin marking system with a safety enclosure. When you’re ready to learn how to better control industrial noise caused by marking in your facility, consult the experts. MECCO has been developing impact and other marking technologies since 1889. Today, we’re leaders in marking and traceability, offering a full range of innovative laser, dot peen, and scribe technologies. Whether it’s marking a critical VIN for the automotive industry, serial numbers on pipes for the oil and gas sector, or adding logos on steel for fabricators, the scribe delivers marks that never fade while protecting your employees’ hearing. With the ability to mark characters from 1mm to 20mm in height at speeds of up to six characters per second, the scribe can engrave a variety of materials in different shapes and sizes, from round or hollow to flat or thick. To learn more about how our scribe marking machine can benefit your business, contact our team.

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