Systems and methods for adding authenticating features to process molded parts and the resultant molded parts

A system for controlling the producing of a molded product, comprising:

• a defect introducing device that modifies at least one of a processing condition and an elemental material property in a product molding process to introduce at least one surface defect in a molded product, the modifying of the at least one of the processing condition and the elemental material property facilitating the formation of the at least one surface defect by de-optimizing the at least one of the processing condition and the elemental material property, the at least one surface defect comprising at least one of undercut posts, flashes, weld lines, sinks, cracked ribs and flow marks;
• a surface imaging device that images at least a portion of the surface of the molded product that includes the at least one surface defect to detect and map the at least one surface defect;
• and
• a processor that is programmed to generate identification information for the molded product based on the at least one detected and mapped surface defect, and to produce labeling for the molded product that includes the generated identification information for the molded product.

A molded product, comprising:

• at least one surface defect in the surface of the molded product, the at least one surface defect being intentionally introduced in the surface of the molded product in a product molding process that produces the molded product, the product molding process involving de-optimizing as least one of a processing condition or an elemental material property for the molded product to intentionally introduce the at least one surface defect that is at least one of undercut posts, flashes, weld lines, sinks, cracked ribs and flow marks;
• and
• labeling for the molded product that includes generated identification information based on the at least one surface defect,
• the labeling providing the generated identification information to be compared to the at least one surface defect for identification of the molded product.