Method for providing a code on a tool

摘要

A method is devised for providing a code (32) on a tool (20). It includes the steps of providing a coating (30) on the tool (20) by electroplating, and providing the code (32) on the coating (30) by using a laser to make dents (36) in the coating, with patches (34) left in the coating. The dents (36) are used as black lines or dots of a bar or array code, while the patches (34) are used as blank lines or dots of the code.