What are the IP protection ratings (IP67 / IP68) for industrial nameplates? How are they achieved?
In machinery, industrial automation, electronic equipment, and medical devices, industrial nameplates are not only used to indicate brand, model, and operating instructions, but may also be part of the equipment's casing. When nameplates are installed outdoors, in clean areas, dusty environments, or high-humidity locations, their dustproof and waterproof capabilities directly affect the clarity of the markings and the equipment's lifespan.
Many purchasing and engineering personnel in the manufacturing industry ask, "Can industrial nameplates achieve IP67 or IP68?" The answer cannot be determined solely by the printing method; it requires evaluation of materials, adhesives, structural design, installation methods, and overall machine testing.
IP is an abbreviation for Ingress Protection, which is usually referred to as "protection rating" or "enclosure protection rating" in Chinese. The two numbers following IP represent the dustproof and waterproof capabilities, respectively.
- The first number represents solid foreign object protection:
6: Completely prevents dust from entering, representing the highest level of dust protection. - The second number represents water protection:
7: The product can be immersed in water for a short time under specified conditions, usually at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.
8: Can be used under conditions specified by the manufacturer, including continuous immersion or at deeper water levels. Actual water depth, time, and test conditions must be clearly defined in the product specifications.
Therefore, IP67 can be understood as completely dustproof and with short-term water immersion protection; while IP68 is completely dustproof and with a higher degree of continuous water immersion protection.
It's important to note that IP67 and IP68 are not performance ratings achieved simply by printing an industrial nameplate. Protection ratings are typically tested for the complete device, enclosure, or assembled product. Whether the nameplate itself achieves the same performance must be confirmed in conjunction with the actual installation structure.
1. Select suitable nameplate material
Common materials include PC, PET, PVC, aluminum, stainless steel, and acrylic. If the environment involves moisture, oil, cleaning agents, or outdoor sunlight, the material's weather resistance, chemical resistance, dimensional stability, and surface abrasion resistance must be considered.
For example, mechanical control panels or membrane buttons typically use membrane materials that are more flexible and wear-resistant; metal nameplates are suitable for devices that prioritize durability, aesthetics, and long-term legibility. Material selection should not be based solely on price, but also on the device's temperature, humidity, cleaning methods, and lifespan.
2. Use continuous, complete adhesive backing for sealing.
The adhesive backing of the nameplate is crucial to its waterproof performance. The adhesive must completely cover the back of the nameplate, avoiding any gaps, bubbles, wrinkles, or peeling edges.
During actual production, the following needs to be confirmed:
- Does the nameplate's shape match the equipment's mounting surface?
- Is the adhesive thickness suitable for surface flatness?
- Are gaps easily formed at corners?
- Are there any oil stains, dust, or release agents on the surface of the equipment?
- Is there sufficient pressing time after bonding?
If the surface of the equipment is rough, has obvious curvature, or has uneven structure, simply using a regular flat adhesive may not be able to form a stable seal.
When purchasing personnel from major machinery manufacturers are looking for panel suppliers, nameplates are usually not the parts with the highest purchase amount, but they are the details that are most likely to "block shipments".
What procurement and quality control really need is a partner that can reduce management risks:
- Precise communication of specifications: Avoid scrapping the entire batch due to incorrect size or misalignment.
- Consistent batch quality: The brand CI colors of the first and fifth batches must be completely consistent, with no color difference.
- Delivery time and flexibility: It has the capability of digital printing without plate making and rapid proofing, so that the delivery time of millions of machines will not be delayed due to small parts.
- Smooth administrative coordination: clear pricing, timely delivery, and clear reconciliation significantly reduce management costs for accounting and administrative departments.
3. Controlling Nameplate Edges and Opening Design
The waterproof performance of IP67 / IP68 often fails not due to the materials, but rather to the edges, openings, and joints. The nameplate size, rounded corners, opening positions, and gaps with the casing all need to be confirmed during the prototyping stage.
If the nameplate has button holes, indicator light holes, screw holes, or viewing windows, the sealing rings, button structure, and fit with the housing should be checked simultaneously. For mechanical control panels and membrane buttons, it should also be confirmed whether pressing them will allow moisture to enter the equipment through structural gaps.
4. Test according to actual equipment
Whether an industrial nameplate can achieve IP67 or IP68 cannot be determined solely based on the material supplier's information. A more reliable approach is to attach or assemble the nameplate to the actual equipment housing and then conduct dustproof, waterproof, or immersion tests according to the product's usage conditions.
The engineering team should also confirm the following first:
- Is the IP rating a requirement for the nameplate, casing, or the entire device?
- Does the test require high or low temperature treatment, cleaning, or weathering treatment?
- What are the immersion depth and time requirements for IP68?
- After testing, the appearance, adhesion, and internal water ingress should be checked.
Fuksen provides customized services for industrial nameplates, machine nameplates, equipment nameplates, machine control panels and membrane buttons, from material selection, artwork confirmation, size prototyping to mass production, helping manufacturers reduce rework and specification errors.
If your equipment needs to be used outdoors, in cleaning areas, dusty environments, or high-humidity locations, please provide nameplate drawings, equipment photos, installation locations, and expected protection levels so that our engineering and sales personnel can assist in assessing suitable materials, adhesives, and structural methods.
