Systems and methods are provided for placing non-destructive marks onto a part via an end effector of a robot. One embodiment is a system comprising an end effector of a robot. The end effector includes an extendable punch that places targets onto a part, and supports that hold a strip of reflective adhesive tape between the punch and the part. Extending the punch cuts out a target from the strip and applies an adhesive side of the target to the part, and retracting the punch leaves a reflective side of the target visible on the part.

A binary punch marker identifies pipes and welds at joints of pipes, and a system and method fabricate such a binary punch marker. The binary punch marker has information encoded by recesses in the marker for identifying the pipes and welds. The information is encrypted to prevent forgery of metallic assets such as pipes, pipelines, storage tanks, etc. during inspection of the metallic assets.

A binary punch marker identifies pipes and welds at joints of pipes, and a system and method fabricate such a binary punch marker. The binary punch marker has information encoded by recesses in the marker for identifying the pipes and welds. The information is encrypted to prevent forgery of metallic assets such as pipes, pipelines, storage tanks, etc. during inspection of the metallic assets.

Systems and methods are provided for placing non-destructive marks onto a part via an end effector of a robot. One embodiment is a system comprising an end effector of a robot. The end effector includes an extendable punch that places targets onto a part, and supports that hold a strip of reflective adhesive tape between the punch and the part. Extending the punch cuts out a target from the strip and applies an adhesive side of the target to the part, and retracting the punch leaves a reflective side of the target visible on the part.