A dot peen marking machine is an industrial tool used for direct part marking, engraving, and labeling on various materials, such as metals, plastics, and even some hard ceramics. This marking process involves the use of a stylus, often made of carbide or diamond, which strikes the material's surface repeatedly to create a series of dots or indentations, forming alphanumeric characters, logos, serial numbers, or other identification marks. The term "dot peen" comes from the action of the stylus creating small dots (peen) on the material.