In-Trace: Marker-free part identification using electromagnetic material fingerprints

In-Trace is a research project focused on the marker-free identification of sheet metal components. Electromagnetic measurement methods capture a component's characteristic intrinsic material properties. Based on the measurement data, the system generates a unique material fingerprint that can identify the component and enable seamless traceability throughout the process.

The objective of In-Trace is the industrial validation of marker-free component identification under realistic production conditions. The method will initially be investigated within a cold forming process chain for automotive body manufacturing.

The identification process is intended to operate reliably even under typical interfering influences:

• varying sensor distance
• temperature drift
• wear
• plastic deformation

For the industrial validation, the following target values are aimed for:

With In-Trace, classic markings such as labels, barcodes, printed marks, or RFID tags are replaced by an intrinsic identification feature.

The method is based on four steps:

1. Electromagnetic measurement
   Characteristic material properties of the component are measured.
2. Material fingerprint
   An individual material fingerprint is derived from the measurement data, serving as the digital identity of the component.
3. AI-based evaluation
   Artificial intelligence methods, such as Siamese networks, assign the measurement data to the matching material fingerprint.
4. Component identification
   The recognized fingerprint enables unambiguous identification of the component within the process chain.

In multistage manufacturing process chains, components must remain uniquely identifiable across multiple process steps. Conventional marking methods can be affected by forming, coating, wear, or changes to the surface.

The In-Trace approach therefore investigates whether the identity derived from the material itself remains intact even after such process steps.

In preliminary investigations on real components, recognition rates of up to 100 percent were achieved. The investigations also show that material fingerprint-based identification can be preserved even after plastic deformation and changes to the component surface.

The results obtained so far form the basis for the industrial validation of the method.

A successful implementation could enable companies to identify components without the need for physical markers or reliance on optical identification methods. This would open up, in particular, the following potential applications:

• end-to-end traceability of components
• linking of component, process, and quality data
• component-specific process and quality control
• a foundation for digital product passports
• support for circular economy applications

Unlike identification solutions based on labels, barcodes, or RFID tags, no additional marking of the component is required.

In-Trace is being further developed for industrial validation and transfer into practical applications. We are looking for industry partners interested in testing the technology under real production conditions and exploring new fields of application.

Are you interested in marker-free component traceability, or do you see a potential use case for your production? Contact us.

Duration
July 2026 to June 2029

Coordination
Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP

Funded by
BMFTR

Project partners

• Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP
• Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
• Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM