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NEWS

Leading Marks Begins Representation of Technomark

3/30/2022

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Leading Marks Begins Representation of Technomark Graphix laser Connect Dot Peen Hand Held
PITTSBURGH, PA. -  Leading Marks LLC has been appointed as a manufacturers agent for Technomark North America in the territories of Pennsylvania, Western New York and Western Maryland effective May 1, 2022.

Technomark North America specializes in traceability solutions and industrial marking equipment, supplying laser and dot peen marking machines for production lines across the globe.  Technomark has been operating and supplying expertise with industrial marking equipment since 2000. In 2018, Technomark established a direct OEM presence in the USA with the opening of Technomark North America.

According to Laurie Barcasky, "I've been watching this company evolve over the past few years and I must admit that the the dot peen marker from Technomark is pretty sweeeeet.  It's bluetooth compatible, battery operated and the controller will work with both marking heads and can be used as bench model as well! There is nothing like it on the market! We can't wait to start showcasing this product to our customer!"

Today, Technomark North America is the only OEM of dot peen and laser marking systems with USA headquarters located in the south-central United States. Technomark has become the fastest-growing brand of permanent marking systems in the Americas region. Their centralized location allows them to lower your total cost of ownership (TCO) by reducing shipping costs and delivery lead times. 

Technomark has been at the forefront of industrial marking innovation, developing machines for seamless integration in manufacturing processes. 

Leading Marks LLC Consultive Approach

Your relationship with Leading Marks and Technomark North America shouldn’t be limited to a strict supplier-to-customer interaction. Both companies share a value in communication above all else, which is why our combined team is dedicated to finding ways to solve your traceability challenges through a consultative process.
​  

At Leading Marks we provide for Technomark North America customers:
  • Expert advice to qualify the best marking equipment for your production line
  • Sample marking via our application engineering review process
  • Equipment financing options (leasing and rental)
  • Machine repair and servicing
  • Product trainings to fit your specific needs
  • Trade-in credits for old equipment
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Leading Marks to Exhibit at Manufacturing Advanced Expo

3/22/2022

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See the latest technology for thermal printing 4-color labels. The MAX Bepop printer allows you to print label  kits for automated work cells and cuts them as well. The complimentary Letatwin printer enhances your wire marking with plastic tubing and labels for terminal blocks. ​
Leading Marks to Exhibit at Manufacturing Advanced Expo may 3 may 5 202
Join Leading Mark on Tuesday May 3 in Kersey, PA or Thursday May 5 in Erie, PA from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm for the Manufacturing Advanced Expo showcasing the latest advancements in automation technology, robotics, manufacturing, and how they affect and compliment the skilled workforce in northwest Pennsylvania.

​Vendors will demonstrate the latest manufacturing technology for a smarter and more productive shop floor.   Educational sessions will highlight advanced technology and applications.  


In addition to the MAX Bepop and Letatwin printers on display in our booth, you can also learn about the full range of industrial identification solutions available from Leading Marks. This includes direct-part marking lasers, dot peen, and impact marking, handheld and in-line ink systems and industrial equipment such as air filtration, soldering irons and work benches.

Register Now
TUESDAY MAY 3
​
Manufacturing Advanced Expo
Red Fern
421 Old Kersey Road
St. Marys, PA 15846
​10:00 am - 3:00 pm
THURSDAY MAY 5
​
Manufacturing Advanced Expo
Ambassador Center
​Hemingway Ballroom
​
7794 Peach Street
Erie , PA 16509
​10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Fundamentals of a Stamping Press

12/15/2021

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Posted by Matt Martin
Stamping presses combine the customization of steel stamps, type, and dies with medium- to high-volume repeatability in an easy-to-use marking machine.
Stamping presses, also referred to as impact presses, are either manual or pneumatic marking machines that incorporate a holder filled with steel type, a shank stamp, a roll die, or a numbering head above the marking surface; force is generated by compressing and then releasing a spring inside the press, and then the die is driven down which transfers the image from the face of the die onto the surface being marked.

Stamping presses can be integrated into a production line or mounted, like the one in this video, on a bench top.  In this video you can see a manual, spring actuated press in action.

Why Use a Stamping Press?

Stamping presses are an excellent marking solution for repetitive indent marking applications. They are low maintenance machines that are relatively straight forward to use. Manual impact presses, in particular, are easy to operate.
​
One of the most important advantages of a stamping press is that it combines the flexibility and customization of steel stamps, type, dies, and numbering heads with machines that are ideal for medium- to high-volume applications. Stamps, type, and dies can be customized with logos or custom fonts and are manufactured from hardened, high-grade tool steel for long service life and durability.

How Do They Work?

Step 1 - The energy section advances towards the workpiece by gear rack and pinion, powered manually by the operator pulling down the lever.

Step 2 - Once the press stroke is engaged and the workpiece is contacted, the press stroke continues. The workpiece is held in place by the pressure from the energy section (this is a significant safety feature.) The impact spring is compressed and builds force as the press continues to maintain contact with the workpiece.
​
Step 3 - When the ball bearings reach their release point, the powerful impact is discharged. The impact spring delivers force to the hammer, which in turn strikes the plunger (tool holder.) You can control the amount of impact depending on which spring you choose and how much tension is applied.
Durable Mecco Stamping Press MV18
Durable MV-18 Stamping Manual Press

Manual Stamping Presses

Manual impact presses offer users a safe, reliable marking solution that is easy to set up and to operate.

This manual style of press is best suited for low- to medium-volume applications. If you're not sure whether you need a manual or pneumatic stamping press, or have any other related questions, please contact us here. 
​
Unlike more complicated marking solutions, manual impact presses are low maintenance solutions that are easy to set up and operate. The simplicity of the manual press, coupled with the degree of control it offers, its safety, and reliability, make it a popular marking solution. Specifically, high volume repetitive indent marking applications are best handled with the use of impact presses which achieve a very short cycle time that cannot be met with any other marking method.

Pneumatic Stamping Presses

Ideal for high-volume applications, pneumatic impact presses can do more than just stamp. Pneumatic impact presses can be used for part marking, riveting, pressing, assembly, stamping, forming, punching, and shearing.

This style of press can be operated either manually or with a control package (higher volume applications typically dictate use of a control package). See further below for more information on control packages.
​
When selecting a pneumatic press, there are a few specifications that you should consider to ensure that you are selecting the correct press for your particular marking requirements. Of course, your Durable sales rep can help you with all of the options and features, but in general, the three main areas you will need to consider are the press model, the control package, and the marking dies.

Choose Your Pneumatic Stamping Press Model

Pneumatic impact presses are ideal for high volume, repetitive indent marking, assembly, stamping, forming, punching, and shearing. Because there are so many ways a pneumatic press can be used, there are a few things to consider when choosing an impact press.
​

Most of the pneumatic presses sold are of the bench top variety, although U-model presses for inline marking are available as well. The first thing you need to do is decide which size (model) is appropriate for your marking requirement. Generally speaking, the larger the press, the more impact force it can generate. The two main variables that will determine the correct impact press size will include the material being marked and the amount of text (number of characters and character height).
Durable Mecco Pneumatic Press with Renco Dual Palm Controls - MC-19
Durable MC-19 Pneumatic Press with Renco Dual Palm Controls

Choose Your Pneumatic Stamping Press Control Package

Ross Control Package
Ross Control Package
Pneumatic presses can be operated manually using the control lever but in most cases, operator's will use a control package to activate the press.

​We carry three pneumatic press 
control packages that are designed to give you a range of options.

​Which control package you chose will depend on the press model that it's being used with, your preference for safety and ease of use, as well as your budget.

Choose Your Stamping Press Marking Dies

Pneumatic presses can make use of shank stamps, steel type with a holder, or numbering headsfor sequential marking. Your marking requirement will usually dictate which marking dies make the most sense.
​
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a stamp, type, or numbering head. All three are machined from high quality, long lasting steel and can be customized. Numbering heads, however, are designed for serial numbering and sequential part marking, so they are not ideal for all applications

Stamping Press Applications

The popularity of the impact press is also due to its versatility. An impact press can be used for a wide variety of applications other than marking including:
  • Stamping
  • Riveting
  • Staking
  • Forming
  • Punching
  • Bending
  • Crimping
  • Piercing
  • Assembling
  • Broaching
  • Coining

Durable Numbering Head
Durable Numbering Head
Stamping presses are typically found in industrial and manufacturing settings, and over the years we have helped a number of companies find the right press for their particular application.
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Fundamentals of Direct Part Marking

11/17/2021

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Steel marking dies
When people think of direct part marking the first thing the often comes to mind is steel marking dies
In essence, Direct Part Marking (DPM) is applying identification that lasts from cradle to grave and will sustain very rugged environments. Many US government agencies are making unique device identification (UDI) and direct part marking (DPM), mandatory. The private sector, from automotive manufacturers to medical offices have been using DPM more and more as they have embraced the Deming Principles of TQM. 

​Direct Part Marking is used most frequently when marks are needed on a variety metals, plastics and wood. Common equipment solutions range from traditional hand stamping processes to cutting edge technology of fiber laser marking. Direct part marking is often a less costly alternative to purchasing RFID tags.

When to Choose Direct Part Marking

Picture
  • The part is too small for a barcode label
  • The item will be exposed to environmental conditions that traditional labeling may not withstand
  • When it could be more cost effective to DPM over barcode labels
  • If identification or data must be tracked throughout the life of the item
  • If the item could be marked during the manufacturing process
  • The ability to track items in high-temperatures and other harsh environments
  • Providing more accurate and reliable part identification
  • Preventing errors in just-in-sequence production
  • Eliminating manual data collection approaches for inspections, inventories, and maintenance reports
  • Ensuring the lifetime traceability of each part
  • Enabling track-and-trace initiatives that provide chain-of-custody tracking and protect against product diversion
  • Reducing or eliminating counterfeit parts by providing end-to-end traceability using a method that is difficult to duplicate, and doesn’t rely on package marking
  • Enabling more comprehensive inventory management

Direct Part Marking Options

Gravotech laser marking
Laser marking
  • Traditional options range from steel hand stamps and holder/type arrangements to various numbering and impact presses, including roll marking machines
  •  Advanced technologies such as dot peen, scribe and laser marking machines enable marking processes to be done automatically communicating with other manufacturing technologies and allow the addition of machine readable codes for component traceability.

2D Codes: Most Popular for Direct Part Marking

In most cases, direct part marking applications use two-dimensional (2D) barcodes such as Datamatrix or QR Code, which carry much more data than linear (1D) barcodes. By using 2D barcodes, manufacturers can also identify very small items and parts​​.
Dot peen vs vibra peen vs scribe DPM Part markingDot Peen vs Vibra Peen vs Scribe and a 2D QR code
2D codes can pack a large amount of data as opposed to linear codes because they can carry data in two directions on the code vs. just one.  To give you an idea of the relative size, a 1D barcode can store around 25 characters up to about 80 characters depending on whether it’s Code 128 or Code 39, but a 2D code can store up to 2,000 characters.  

In the automotive sector, there is an established standard (AIAG B11) for direct part marking, and a number of large auto OEMs like Ford require suppliers of certain components to use DPM for part traceability.

​Manufacturers like to use the 2D code not only for the storage capacity, but for their relative size as well (square vs. rectangular).  The flexibility of a 2D code allows for the variation in the amount of information stored in the barcode as well as the size of the item being marked.  The most popular uses of the mark are for applications that require:
  1. Traceability
  2. Verification & Error Proofing
  3. Part Identification

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Traceability for Collection, Look-Up and Data Sharing

9/15/2021

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Traceability Leading Marks identification wrench
Leading Marks can help you with traceability from the shop floor where machine to machine communication and data-collection is crucial to mobilizing reporting from the warehouse or in the field.

Traceability is common for collection, look-up and sharing of data. Whether it is Asset Tracking, EH&S Inspections, QA/QC Controls, Work-in-process, Assembly builds, or Field Service reporting industry is driving the need for traceability from cradle to grave. Why is traceability important for your organization?

What’s the value-add with the potential of data collected through mobile apps or plant-floor software packages?
  • Auto-trigger of reports and work orders based on data collected
  • Quicker reporting
  • Query and filter of data
  • Minimize down-time on the production line or field operation
  • Trends & variations evaluation
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Kurt J. Lesker Company Finds Success With New Gravotech Portable Dot Peen Machine

8/18/2021

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Gravotech XM500 ENv2 LM
Gravotech Technifor XM500 - A portable Dot-Peen Solution
Kurt J. Lesker Company® (KJLC®) is the leading global provider of  high-quality vacuum equipment, that services the LEDs, Optics, UHV/Synchrotrons, Electronics, Wear and Decorative Coatings and R&D markets.
Leading Marks tested and installed a ​Gravotech XM500 ENv2 LM portable dot peen part marking system.  The Gravotech - Technifor XM500 is a lightweight and robust portable marking machine with an ultra-compact design that allows you to mark where you want, when you want. It can be used for marking small and large parts as well as parts with complex shapes and difficult to access areas. Combined with the new XCOM Control Unit, the XM500 is the most comfortable and intuitive marking machine on the market!
According to Roxanne Shurtz, CNC Supervisor at Kurt J. Lesker Company, "Leading Marks was able to answer any questions that I had. The technical support was knowledgeable and efficient.  I appreciated Leading Mark’s quick response time, knowledge of products, and product availability."

Our new Gravotech, handheld dot peen tool gives us the ability to quickly change our marking needs from job to job. The production staff finds it easy to understand and use.  I would recommend Leading Marks because of their outstanding customer service and knowledge.  They offer innovative products and ideas."
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Zeuss In Machine Marking Options

7/14/2021

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The machining process allows for many operations to be consolidated in one work cell: drilling, deburring, polishing and yes, marking. Often companies will choose to do the marking as a secondary process and use the valuable machining center for operations only possible in it.
However, on occasion it makes sense to add a repetitive consistent message like a part number or date code without any extra work handling.

There are several methods for applying the marking details in machine for this purpose. With Zeus marking technology, workpieces and turned parts of all types can be marked quickly, affordably and with flexibility.

The marking process is integrated directly in the machining process without changing to a separate machine.

These roll marking devices quickly apply legible marks as an additional process in-machine and eliminates the secondary process.
Zeus in machine roll marking arrangement options
Zeus in machine roll marking arrangement options.
Close up of Zeus in machine roll marking arrangement
Close up of Zeus in machine roll marking arrangement

These roll marking accessories are available in different diameters and can be equipped with individual type characters, interchangeable segments and solid rolls specific to the marking details.

The Zeus product line also includes knurling wheels for other finishing processes.

Other in-machine options available from Leading Marks include scribe tools, dot peen marking heads and spring-loaded impact marking devices.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the best solution for your in-machine and/or secondary marking processes.
Learn More Today!

Contact Leading Marks for more information about this marking tool and to learn about other options.
  • Call us: 412-366-4733

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Leading Marks Partners with MAX USA for the Distribution of Their Thermal Printers.

5/12/2021

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Leading Marks is proud to partner with MAX USA for the distribution of their thermal printers.
MAX has been recognized worldwide as a leader of industrial tools and office products. The MAX thermal printers can be found in manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, educational & health care facilities and many more. Thermal printing solutions include the Letatwin and Bepop printers.

About the Letawin Thermal Printer

The Letatwin printer is a compact printer designed on-demand printing of tubing, tape, and wires.

The Letatwin printer has an enhanced feeding system that provides you with a marking speed of 1-1/2” (40mm) per second. It is developed for maximizing productivity of wire and tube marking jobs.

This compact package includes the Letatwin printer with an integral keyboard and PC Editor software for connected design of labels. Data can be transferred to a USB flash drive for printing away from the PC. It easily accepts data from Windows Excel or a .csv file reducing the time for data entry.

Consumables include heat shrink vinyl tubing and polyester tape. The heat shrink vinyl tubing is suited for 1.5 diameter to 8.0 mm diameter tubes and wires. The tubing is available for flat or round requirements and can be half-cut for ease of applying. The polyester tapes come in a variety of colors in widths from 5mm to 12mm.
MAX LETATWIN LM-550A2BH Thermal Printer
MAX LETATWIN LM-550A2BH is portable, high speed thermal transfer printer for control panel marking, wire numbering, and device labeling.
The MAX LETATWIN LM-550A2BH is portable, high speed thermal transfer printer is ideal for control panel marking, wire numbering, and device labeling. Using thermal transfer technology, it is ideal for printing directly onto heat-shrink and PVC tubing and for printing on MAX polyester tapes for marker strip labeling.

Unique features include the ability to make half-cut or full cut parts, a warming element and optional battery power capability. The enhanced MAX software LETATWIN PC Editor and driver can be downloaded from the  MAX USA website.

Connect to a computer and print directly to the machine, or save marker data to the machine's large internal memory and take it with you on-site. Engineered for high productivity and robust environments, including a shock resistant rubber keyboard, you will use your LETATWIN trouble free for many years to come.
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What makes the Bepop Thermal Printer Unique?

3/31/2021

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Leading Marks is proud to partner with MAX USA for the distribution of their thermal printers.
Sourcing labels and signs can often be a challenge and not permit you to meet the delivery requirement without a minimum charge. This is where the MAX Bepop printers allow you to capitalize on your investment by permitting you to print on-demand with the specific message needed for the situation.
The Bepop printers are 4-color thermal printer that can print in standard ANSI color or 4-color CMYK high resolution colors. In addition to a 1” per second print speed, it cuts labels to size or outline shape without the need of costly dies at 4.7” per second.

The user-friendly software allows you to design labels for your needs or utilize standard templates pre-stored in the library. A complete library of standard icons are also included with the software. The Bepop printers come in two model sizes; one for 4” wide materials and one for 8” materials.
MAX Bepop CPM-200GU 8 inch wide sign and label printing and cutting machine
MAX Bepop CPM-200GU 8" wide sign & label printing and cutting machine.
APPLICATIONS
  • ANSI and OSHA Agency Required Signage
  • Health & Safety Signs
  • Product & Asset Labeling
  • Visual Management Signs
  • Pipe Marking / GHS Labels
  • 5S / Kaizen / Kanban Labels
  • Wire and Cable Marking
  • Custom Labels
  • Shadow Boards
  • Warehouse shelf identification
MAX has been recognized worldwide as a leader of industrial tools and office products. The MAX thermal printers can be found in manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, educational & health care facilities and many more. Thermal printing solutions include the Letatwin and Bepop printers.

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Laurie Barcaskey at The American Foundry Society Pittsburgh

3/24/2021

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Laurie Barcaskey, Founder & President of Leading Marks, LLC, spoke to The American Foundry Society Pittsburgh Chapter. on March 4 2021.  AFS Pittsburgh is a local chapter of The American Foundry Society based in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Laurie talked about pattern labeling, secondary marking of components, safety signage and labeling shipping identifications and how RFID is improving process control and traceability.   T

he video is about 15 minutes long and covers technology and where marking is used in foundries.
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