Part 4. Labeling & Traceability (methods, encoded data, cleaning before mark)

Traceability isn't just about sticking a label on a board; it's about risk management. This chapter defines how you track your product from the first solder paste print to the final customer shipment.

We cover the strategies that make your data audit-ready:

• Level of Detail: Choosing between simple lot tracking vs. full component-level genealogy based on your liability needs.
• Marking Tech: Selecting the right method (Laser DPM, high-temp labels) that survives reflow, cleaning, and years in the field.
• Data Encoding: Using 2D DataMatrix or QR codes to pack density and error correction into small spaces.
• Integration: Linking physical scans to your MES/ERP so you have instant "board-to-box" history without relying on spreadsheets.

When a problem happens in the field, this is the system that lets you contain it surgically instead of recalling everything.