Frequently Asked Questions

CDOT AI Code is a direct part marking (DPM) 2D code symbology designed for harsh industrial environments. It is applied to the surface like conventional 2D codes, but it is decoded through a frequency-domain signature (Fourier-based signal analysis) rather than relying on cell-by-cell contrast. This makes CDOT readable even when the visible mark doesn’t look “perfect” to conventional readers, and allows identity to stay attached to the physical part as the surface changes during production.

CDOT is built to remain decodable through real production processes where surfaces evolve—heat, coatings, chemistry, impact, and distortion. It is designed to stay readable after high-temperature exposure up to 860°C / 1580°F, as well as through common industrial operations such as coating and painting (including e-coat/cataphoresis), plating (e.g., nickel/zinc), phosphating, galvanization, acid exposure/pickling, sandblasting and shot blasting, oxidation/rust film, and heavy surface wear.

It also supports reliable reading on challenging surfaces such as curved geometry, textured finishes, and reflective materials.

Traditional matrix codes (QR / Data Matrix) depend on spatial-domain, contrast-based decoding: the reader must clearly resolve the grid/cells and the black/white contrast. In real production, contrast is often degraded by heat, coatings, glare, contamination, machining, or surface deformation—so codes get pushed to the final stages, or become unreadable mid-process.

CDOT is different because it uses a frequency-domain signal signature instead of depending on perfect cell geometry and contrast. That’s why it is designed for repeatable readability as the part reappears throughout the flow—and why it can support decoding even under severe surface loss/occlusion (up to ~90%), where conventional matrix codes typically fail much earlier.

No. CDOT works with standard industrial marking and reading setups. No special hardware is required—you can use existing equipment at your facility, such as machine vision systems or industrial, image-based barcode readers, or purchase hardware as needed to mark/print and read the codes. When you create a CDOT Lab account on Cosmodot’s website, you can access the Windows app and the setup guidance needed to connect your camera and validate decoding in your own environment. Internet access is only needed for account/login and license synchronization; decoding can run offline once set up.

Absolutely, CDOT does not require deep marking to be readable. Because decoding relies on a frequency-domain signature (not perfect contrast blocks), CDOT can achieve strong readability with a light, shallow mark—especially important for sensitive parts or surfaces.

In contrast, conventional matrix codes often rely heavily on visible contrast and crisp cell edges; in harsh environments that can push teams toward deeper/more visually extreme marking just to keep contrast, which can be undesirable on some components.

Yes. CDOT provides physics-layer anti-counterfeiting. Each code is cryptographically generated with a unique frequency signature that cannot be replicated by copying, photographing, or printing. This makes CDOT ideal for defense, aerospace, and any application where part authenticity must be verified.

CDOT licensing is typically structured around the total number of decoding points in your deployment. Licensing tiers vary by deployment size and the number of read points, and an enterprise model is available for larger rollouts and multi-site supplier networks.

You can request a demo by clicking the “Request A Demo” button on our website, which will take you to our scheduling page for a 30-minute session. Alternatively, you can email us at info@thecosmodot.com.

CTRACE is Cosmodot’s real-time traceability and control layer for live production. It links each part ID to its process journey—where the part is, which stations it passed, which operations were applied, and which reader/camera verified each event. It also supports conformance checks by connecting the part’s stage to the correct recipe/spec and validating process data captured from equipment.

CTRACE integrates with factory systems (e.g., PLC / SCADA / MES / ERP) and supports common industrial connectivity such as OPC-UA, REST API, and TCP socket communication.

Conventional barcodes and data matrix codes rely on contrast-based spatial decoding. Heat treatment at 800–900°C causes surface oxidation, scale formation and color shift that destroy the contrast needed for decoding. CDOT AI Code solves this by using frequency-domain signal analysis instead of contrast—it remains decodable through heat treatment up to 860°C / 1580°F.

Standard 2D codes typically cannot survive e-coating (cataphoresis) because the coating fills the marked cells and eliminates contrast. CDOT AI Code uses a frequency-domain signature that does not depend on cell-level contrast, so it remains readable even when the mark is fully coated, painted, or covered by cataphoresis layers.

CDOT AI Code is designed as a direct part marking alternative to data matrix for harsh industrial environments. While data matrix codes fail when surfaces are damaged by heat, coating or blasting, CDOT’s frequency-domain decoding tolerates up to 90% surface occlusion and processes up to 860°C—making it the most durable 2D code for metal parts in casting, forging and heat treatment.

For casting and foundry traceability, CDOT codes are laser-marked before or after pouring and remain readable through the full production chain—including green sand molding, shot blasting, heat treatment and coating. Combined with CTRACE software, each cast part is tracked from melt to finished product with full process data.

Yes. Sandblasting and shot blasting cause significant surface erosion that destroys conventional barcodes. CDOT’s frequency-domain signal is designed to remain decodable even after heavy blasting, because it does not rely on intact cell geometry or sharp contrast edges.