7. Tire and Wheel Identification

What it is: DOT codes on tire sidewalls, wheel part numbers, and rim identification.

How lasers are used:

• CO2 lasers for marking rubber tire sidewalls (DOT codes, manufacturing data)
• Fiber lasers for aluminum alloy wheel identification
• UV lasers for marking specialized polymer wheel components

Challenges:

• Tire sidewall marking requires precise energy control — too much power degrades the rubber
• Marks must remain legible through the tire’s service life