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Marking Labels

01/16/2010 4:36 AM

Hello,

I work on designing terminal blocks(low voltage electrical connectors, <1000V). I was searching on different types of marking devices. The system of marking we use is old and has been so for years, so was trying to find a new technique.

Can anyone suggest me a flexible yet cheap alternative for marking terminal blocks or any cable/ wire or other marking device which can be adopted?

Intention is to provide independence at customer end.

Any guidance/help is appreciated

Thanks

Talaus

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#1

Re: Marking Labels

01/17/2010 12:06 AM

Have you looked at Laser Marking systems?

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Marking Labels

01/17/2010 12:41 AM

Nope I haven't, I now am....always passed through those sites but didnt see it.....i prolly mistook it for the regular laser printers.....thanks

any other options? cost effective yet flexible......also our marking only needs a max of 5 alphanumeric characters.....

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#3

Re: Marking Labels

01/17/2010 7:25 AM

A Pad printer. (versatile printer stamping image onto items)

Many online, new & secondhand - just google, e.g.

http://www.pad-print.co.uk/pad-print.html

http://www.padprintmachinery.com/ etc. etc.

Possibly the cheapest and quickest way.

Hope this helps

jt.

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#4

Re: Marking Labels

01/17/2010 4:53 PM

Check out www.pryormarking.com They can mark almost anything!

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#5

Re: Marking Labels

01/17/2010 11:05 PM

Hi talaus

I have had the same issue and have not found anything that is practical .

I have seen wiring that has been engraved or stamped on each out side casing . This from some German equipment . need I say more .

good luck

Amos

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#6

Re: Marking Labels

01/18/2010 7:24 AM

Thanks for the replies guys!

We've been using pad printers since a long time. And plotters also.

What I was searching for was some marking system in which the customer would be able to change/modify marking as per his own accord.

Presently, he has the send the lot back if he wants a change or update in marking.

We are looking at non contact type portable printers, lets see....

Cheers

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#7

Re: Marking Labels

01/19/2010 12:20 AM

I take it your looking for a system to print heat shrink tubing of various dia. and labels of various widths.

Here is one place. wire marker printers.

The Kroy 5100 I have used in a past life.

And another one Brady Idxpert along with this brand.

On the two units i've used both heat shrink tubing on both wire and tubing. Also label tapes and wraps for other applications; panels labels, terminal blocks, over size or missed markings using the wrap around labels.

Both units have there advantages and disadvantages. The Brady unit the text can be rotated for orientation . The Kroy seemed to be a little more rugged although.

Labels cartridges seemed to have a fair life although the larger heat shrinks felt like they would run out a little faster. Though to be fair the shop we only had 4 units and on average 12-18 workers.

Like any were there more people than equipment seem like you were always refilling the units.

As other people say: I have no affiliation with any of these companies. I have only used these units at one of my jobs i have worked at in the past. That is all.

Chares

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#8

Re: Marking Labels

01/19/2010 6:00 AM

Seems so :D Thanks guys. Anyways, got a good set of choices now. Thanks to cr4 and my research :P I was trying to create some system that can use our regular laser printers to mark, if thats possible. Nothing yet.

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Marking Labels

02/03/2010 5:53 AM

Hi,

I have recently purchased BROTHER Label System which prints labels onto BROTHER tapes of various sizes. Various outlets will sell many types and colours of tapes.

The system comprises of Software, Tape Cartidges and a Printer which is connected to your PC via a USB connection and a separate power connection. This unit is about 4" by 2" by 3" and sits neatly on my desk. Software is installed via a supplied CD.

To Date I have only used their standard tapes which are not as sticky as I would like in some circumstances ( damp garage ?) ( Plastic Boxes) But they do provide other tapes on other materials for different purposes. The Internet is obviously a good source of suppliers but you do ned to be carefuk as the cheaper suppliers will generally hold a smaller range of tapes. Brother is the best source of data here.

Taps come in various sizes from about 6mm to over 25mm in width, various colour combinations are available, from Black on White to Yellow on White to many others.

To date I have labelled my storage facilities in my garage/workshop. I have started to label all my accessible house, garage, shed, workshop wiring and have commenced the labelling of all the cabelling of my computer system with this system. My Filing system is also attracting these labels - especially for large folders which do not readily take the paper stick on Box File labels.

I am about to procure more tapes!

Each Label can be designed using the Brother software on your PC , a copy can be saved so that you do not have to repeat the design. The Labels work in Portrait or Landscape. I have NOT explored the software fully as yet, so cannot advise on the complete range of capabilities, certainly Print style, size, font, Portrait or Landscape are all fully customisable. I believe although have not fully tested it yet that Tables can be included on the Label. Some Symbols may be possible, again I have not explored this at all.

The unit that I have is a P-Touch 2420 PC. I cannot find a record of the price as, I believe, that it was provided for me by a family member!

Good Luck, I would like to hear how you get on.

Sleepy

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#11
In reply to #10

Re: Marking Labels

02/03/2010 8:41 PM

Hi Talaus,Sleepy

There was a Boeing or McDonnald Douglas document that called out the use of Brother equipment & the Brother TZ series tapes that had a industrial adhesive & were self-laminated. I have used the Brother system & the TZ tapes for labeling terminal blocks, connectors, relays & unit assignments of flight simulators for about ten years. The TZ labels stick very well & remain readable when subjected to oils & most common solvents. In by present job I use the TZ labels when building instrument panels for light aircraft.

Regards

Doug

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Marking Labels

02/04/2010 7:19 AM

Doug,

Thanks for that.

It sounds as if you would recommend TZ tapes for stickability. I will try to include some of those in my next buy. Useful.

Checking what I have these are all TZ tapes- I have had some minor dificulties in labelling stickiness on some box materials, should I clean the surface with meths first?

Thanks

Sleepy

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#13
In reply to #12

Re: Marking Labels

02/04/2010 4:06 PM

Sleepy

The Brother labels to use are the "industrial" ones TZ-S221 3/8 black on white & TZ-S211 1/4 black on white. The S in the part number stands for the industrial hi-strength adhesive type label. These numbers were found in the back of my Brother PT-1750 user manual.

Clean the mounting surface with a mild solvent wipe.

Doug

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#14
In reply to #13

Re: Marking Labels

02/06/2010 6:58 AM

Hello Doug and Sleepy

Seems like its coincidence. I had recently bumped into the Brother labeling devices at the electrical exhibition Electrama here last month. I saw the system, pretty compact. I routed it to my seniors. We are considering the devices seriously, to replace our existing system to label terminal blocks. Your inputs also seem useful, thank you very much.

One issue was the width of the tapes(which come in standard sizes). But if start using the product we shouldn't have much trouble in incorporating the changes into our designs so as to fit these.

I didn't knw about the TZ tapes, thanks for that Doug.

Regards

Talaus

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#15
In reply to #14

Re: Marking Labels

02/06/2010 7:20 PM

Hello Talaus

The Brother TZ-S... industrial tapes come in 1in(24mm), 3/4in(18mm), 1/2 (12mm), 3/8(9mm) & 1/4(6mm). I use the 1/4 tapes the most.

Regards,

Doug

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#9

Re: Marking Labels

01/20/2010 9:18 AM

I highly recommend the Kory system mentioned above. The is a variety of labeling materials available. I especially like the heat shrink for cables. We use other methods, but this is the least expensive "good" solution.

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Users who posted comments:

Amos (1); Andy Germany (1); Bill H. (1); Doug (3); Engraver (1); jt (1); metalSmiths (1); Sleepy (2); talaus (4)

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