Russian Researchers Automate Core-Sample Labeling with QR-Code – Printing Robot

In a breakthrough for the country’s mining sector, a Novosibirsk-built robot now handles what was once a painstaking manual task — marking core samples with pen and ink — using durable digital inks and overnight operation.

Russian scientists in Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk, have unveiled the nation’s first robotic system for labeling geological core samples. Traditionally, workers inscribed sample IDs by hand with a special pen and ink, then transcribed detailed data into logs manually — a slow, error-prone process now rendered obsolete.

Developed under contract from the Tyumen Center for Geological Research, the new machine not only prints a QR code directly onto the surface of each cylindrical rock sample but also autonomously selects the smoothest section for marking. Left running overnight, it can process an entire batch of cores by morning, minimizing downtime and human labor.

To meet the challenges of rough rock surfaces and harsh environmental conditions, the team formulated proprietary inks that adhere strongly to stone and resist smudging or degradation.

By automating core-sample labeling, this innovation promises to accelerate sample processing, reduce transcription errors, and cut labor costs. As mining companies adopt these robotic units en masse, analysts expect a significant boost in the safety, speed, and cost-efficiency of geological exploration across Russia.