The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for generating datamatrix barcodes on parts. A digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool is converted into an x-y drilling pattern contained in a numerically controlled program. A drill cycle associated with a numerically controlled program defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern. A dot pattern is drilled as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.