Edited by Bernard Martin

Max BePOP printers are cutting-edge machines that combine high-quality printing and precise cutting capabilities, making them ideal for sign and label production. With a range of advanced features, these printers cater to various industries, offering unparalleled efficiency and versatility. In this article, we will explore the key features of Max BePOP printers, highlight the industries they are best suited for, and provide application examples that showcase their exceptional capabilities.

High-Quality Printing
Max BePOP printers utilize advanced printing technologies to deliver sharp, vibrant, and professional-quality prints. Whether it's intricate designs, text, or images, these printers ensure accurate reproduction with stunning color accuracy.

Precise Cutting:
Alongside printing, Max BePOP machines excel at precise cutting. With their integrated cutting systems, these printers can effortlessly create custom-shaped labels, stickers, and signs, saving time and eliminating the need for manual cutting.

Versatility in Media Handling
Max BePOP printers are designed to handle a wide range of materials, including vinyl, adhesive films, paper, textiles, and more. This versatility allows for the creation of labels and signs for various applications, such as product labeling, retail displays, event signage, and industrial safety signs.

User-Friendly Software
The accompanying software for Max BePOP printers offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the printing and cutting process. It enables users to import designs, adjust settings, and precisely position and resize graphics, ensuring seamless production and minimal wastage.

Retail and Point-of-Sale (POS)
The Max BePOP printers find extensive use in the retail industry for creating eye-catching product labels, shelf tags, and promotional signage. The ability to print and cut on-demand allows for quick updates and customization to match changing marketing strategies.

Packaging and Labeling
Max BePOP printers are well-suited for packaging and labeling applications. They enable the production of high-quality product labels, barcode stickers, and packaging inserts, ensuring brand consistency and compliance with industry standards.

Manufacturing and Industrial
In the manufacturing sector, Max BePOP printers streamline the production of industrial labels and safety signs. They can swiftly create warning labels, equipment tags, and instructional signs, enhancing workplace safety and efficiency.

Events and Exhibitions
Max BePOP printers are valuable assets for event organizers, enabling the creation of banners, posters, backdrops, and signage. With quick turnarounds and precise cutting capabilities, these printers cater to the dynamic and time-sensitive nature of event promotions.

Beverage Bottling
Max BePOP printers allow beverage manufacturers to produce custom labels for their bottles, showcasing branding elements, nutritional information, and regulatory details accurately. The precise cutting feature ensures labels fit perfectly, enhancing the product's overall appeal.

Retail Store Signage
Retailers can utilize Max BePOP printers to design and print vibrant window displays, hanging signs, and floor decals. The ability to cut various shapes enables the creation of attention-grabbing visual merchandising elements, attracting customers and boosting sales.

Warehouse and Logistics
Max BePOP printers find utility in the logistics industry, where labels play a crucial role in inventory management and tracking. These printers can generate barcode labels, shipping tags, and custom packaging labels, improving operational efficiency and reducing errors.

The Reiner JetStamp 1025 Sense is the most flexible and function packed handheld printer ever brought to market. And now, you can scan, process and print from the printer! With the click of a button, manufacturers and packagers can use the 1025 to scan, process and print on absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces with 1D & 2D barcodes, graphics, logos, & alphanumerics - all in half a second.

You won’t find it anywhere else. Reiner’s innovation team is back at it and this time it’s a spin off of the already function packed 1025.  Options for various sensors have been integrated to create this one of a kind printer.

​The 1025 with the barcode scanner is highlighted on this page and will scan, process and then print specified data all from the same unit! For more information on the other options see components below. Superior scanning and printing performance wrapped up in one!

All of the functionalities of the original 1025 carry through to this model. It is the most flexible and function packed handheld printer ever brought to market. With the click of a button, the 1025 can print up to a 1″ x 3 1/2″ imprint on both absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces. 1D & 2D barcodes, graphics, logos, & alphanumerics – all accomplished in about 1 second.

This unit is perfect for logistics, repackaging & relabeling, manufacturing, parts marking, inventory management, asset tracking, warehousing, factories, supply chain & a multitude of other vertical markets and applications.  Compliance has never been easier with this zero-maintenance cartridge based system and Reiner’s industry unique self-traversing printhead. Printing on a variety of sizes and shapes is effortless, add in single and multi-line imprints, ERP/Database connectivity, and up to a 1″ print height and you’ve become unstoppable.

REINER expanded its sensor range for the jetStamp® 1025sense by the V24/RS232 port. This way, among other things a weight determined by scales can be printed directly onto the product without any additional data conversion devices.

Scales are indispensable helpers where weight is relevant. This is particularly the case in labs, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, or food manufacturers. Small and medium-sized operations often still use elaborate and error-prone interim steps for data processing before the determined weights can be recorded on the product.

This is where marking specialist REINER® from Furtwangen in the Black Forest comes in with its newly developed accessory items for the mobile jetStamp® 1025 sense inkjet printer. The V24/RS232 sensor is connected to the marking device and then to the available scales via the reliable RS232 port. 

As soon as the scales have determined the weight, the jetStamp®1025 sense will display the measuring result. This can then be integrated into a pre-set print image, among other things, right away, which is then printed to the product – permanently and smear-resistant thanks to high-quality inks. Interim steps on other devices are not needed, which reduces errors in manual or automatic data transmission and saves working time.

It's really a case study of how small family owned machine shops prioritize for growth.

by Bernard Martin

Area Tool & Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in Meadville, PA in 1976 by John Wehrle and business partner Wayne Shumaker. In 1990 John became the sole owner of the family business. Like many Tool & Die makers in Meadville, John got his start at Talon, Inc. Talon invented the zipper at the turn of the 20th Century and their renowned journeyman program has resulted in Meadville becoming known as the Tool and Die Capital of the World. 

Meadville is located in Northwestern Pennsylvania and is the bedrock of the Crawford County economy, accounting for about a quarter of employment in the county. ​And those the jobs in the country are pretty much all in tool & die manufacturing!

According to the City of Meadville, “the Talon Corporation played a major role in the market development and manufacture of the zipper… In the 1980’s, the Great Lakes region saw a major decline in heavy industry.  This blow to the local economy was softened by a subsequent surge in light industry, mainly tool and die machine shops, earning Meadville the nickname Tool City, USA.

Today, the Meadville area remains a leader in tooling, machining and advance manufacturing and the city serves as the region’s center for banking, education and social services.”

A recent study undertaken at Allegheny College entitled ​,  Trends in the Tooling and Machining Industry of Crawford County, Pennsylvania  states,  "Starting in the early 20th century, the Talon Company started the production of area toolmakers. Through their apprenticeship programs, workers learned the art of toolmaking. Many workers at Talon spun off to create their own companies. Since then, the tooling and machining industry has helped sustain the county as a major source of employment, revenue generator, and an important factor in the vibrancy of the real estate and retail sectors."
​
Today Meadville is home to numerous small, medium and large tool and die shops, and is a leader in precision machining, plastic injection molding and aerospace engineering.  

"The industry is now transitioning to a third generation set of owners, who bring new attributes to the industry... For the first time in the history of the industry, women are either the CEOs or operations managers of an increasing number of tool shops."

Area Tool & Manufacturing, Inc. certainly fits that description as a second generation woman owned family business, as it's now solely owned by Ashleigh Wehrle.  Area Tool's TEAM consists of 13 employees with an average of 30 years of experience in the spare parts and mold industries and many of the shop floor employees are journeymen toolmakers. It's located just a few minutes from the Interstate 79 interchange in a 20,000 square foot climate-controlled building.

Area Tool exemplifies how the next generation of leadership is embracing technology and prioritizing how they grow their business. A recent blog post on their website titled, 4 Reasons to Source All Assembly Components from the Same Precision Machine Shop:

"Part buyers and engineers often assume they can save time and money on an assembly project by sourcing the components that make up their assembly from multiple shops. But the truth is that when more than one shop is responsible for precision machining as many as 100 components for a large assembly, issues with tolerance and fitment are common. The worst part? These problems remain hidden until the shipments arrive at your door. It’s only then that you discover that the components don’t fit together and the assembly doesn’t function properly."

That's also a trend in the Meadville market for small and mid sized shops according the the Allegheny College study, "Employment in our sample shops decreased by 18% between 2008 and 2018, a trend that reflects declines in manufacturing employment both in the United States and globally. This decrease in employment in Crawford County is not due to falling demand for toolmakers. Rather, many shops are still having difficulty finding skilled toolmakers. Technological change and automation in the industry have resulted in less need for skilled toolmakers. Most of the shops interviewed have invested heavily in new equipment, about $320,000 per shop within the past two years."

As a small shop, you have to pick and choose which area to invest your capital and then prioritize the order of that in investment. Sometimes it takes a few years. 

Wehrle continues, "We revisited the need for in-house laser marking in the fall of 2021. We often times found parts would be ready to ship late in the day except for the laser engraving requirement."

That's a big problem for a machine shop that prides itself on meeting and exceeding delivery requirements. 

"One of our customers had a part scheduled to ship overnight, but they needed it sooner, so they asked, “Could you get someone on a flight tonight?” That same evening, an Area Tool team member flew to Boston and hand-delivered the part to the customer.  Requests like this one aren’t feasible for OEMs. But because of our size, we can tailor our services to customers’ unique needs." said Wehrle

In January of 2022 Barcaskey installed a GravoTech LW2 which is a fully automated laser marking station.

​"The GravoTech solution with rotary head was a perfect fit for the low volume mill and lathe parts we manufacture. We are also able to label in house fixturing and tooling for better organization. We have also replaced our dot peen for marking to provide a customers with more professional marking." said Wehrle. 
​
To sum it all up Wehrle says "Having the capabilities in house allows us to laser engrave and ship the parts 2-3 days sooner than if we continued to outsource."  Automation continues to be embraced at every size machine shop as qualified labor continues to become more difficult to find.  

BotsIQ is a manufacturing workforce development program of the Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation whose goal is to provide a pathway for youth to learn about rewarding career options in manufacturing.

Identifying and developing a career plan is a challenge for students.  BotsIQ holds a pivotal position as a workforce development program that attracts smart, capable students who love to build things and solve problems — exactly the type of people that will comprise the future manufacturing workforce.
Through BotsIQ,

• Students work together in a fascinating real-world professional manufacturing model.
• Students gain in-demand technical skills like mechanical engineering and design, electrical engineering, machining, 3D printing, and more.
• Each participating school is paired with a local manufacturing company to serve as their industry mentor and learn about the potential for a career in manufacturing

Come and see what these high school students can accomplish or better yet, volunteer to help out.

You can also meet with Laurie Barcaskey, President of Leading Marks. Laurie is volunteering at this event that runs from April 28-29, 2023, 7:30AM – 6:00PM

The Metalcasting Congress attracts attendees from across the foundry industry, as well as professionals from other businesses within the manufacturing supply chain.

​Nestled along Lake Erie’s southern shore, Cleveland is the second largest city in Ohio.  Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland is hosting Metalcasting Congress 2023, providing over 410,000 square feet of prime meeting and event space. The convention center is also just 25 minutes away from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Leading Marks will be demonstrating the latest in part marking and identification technology.  ​ ​We will be featuring The Boss Buddy embossing system offering improved efficiency and improved legibility for pattern labeling.  ​

See the latest trends in smart manufacturing! The newest equipment for your plant! The best in research and expertise. Get a head start on the competition by exploring tomorrow’s metalcasting advancements today. The Metalcasting Congress attracts attendees from across the foundry industry, as well as professionals from other businesses within the manufacturing supply chain.

Leading Marks will be previewing improved efficiency and improved legibility for pattern labeling with the Boss Buddy embossing system, as well as secondary marking requirements with direct-part marking systems, dot peen, laser & stamps, ink marking, hand-held & automated systems and thermal transfer labeling solutions. Additional product solutions offered include: workbenches, air filtration, vision, handheld scanners and in-line options, soldering irons, machining accessories and more.

Leading Marks will be demonstrating the following products in our booth #715

This article about the Boss Buddy application at ITT Gould Pumps originally appeared in Modern Casting. We are republishing it now to coincide with the introduction of our new Boss Buddy Catalog.  Be sure to grab a copy to download here on our Boss Buddy page! 

Therefore, Lucas set out to find a more effective solution to support the organization. Lucas took the initiative to identify the foundry marking requirements before looking for new equipment. He determined that an effective solution must include:

• The ability to mark multiple char- acter sizes.
• Fast creation of repetitive legends.
• Material that was viable for the
  process.
• Something that fit the budget.

An article in Modern Casting describing the Leading Marks tagging system caught Lucas’ interest.
“We had been struggling with tagging legibility issues for years,” he said. “With our 3D printer, I had been adjusting and proving out a font and tag sizes. I printed thousands of tags, over the course of a year.”

He saw that the Boss Buddy embosses foil tape for use in foundry applications such as pattern labeling, and read that the Boss Buddy is compact, simple to operate, cost-effective and uses proven components customized for foundry requirements.

Leading Marks had been working with many foundries around the U.S. to improve their processes. After 
working with Leading Marks to test date code samples in a couple of character sizes, Lucas said he obtained much more legible marks that were created in less than half the time of the older system and with far greater ease. With favorable results in hand, they began defining what the package should include: Interchangeable type characters in the custom font that Lucas had designed. Characters in a variety of sizes Manual Boss Buddy embossing system (vs. the automated system).

The Boss Buddy system shipped to the facility in Seneca Falls, New York in the spring of 2019. After Lucas’ preliminary use of the Boss Buddy package in the pattern shop, it moved to the shop floor.

Ryan Knapp, molding supervisor at ITT Goulds Pumps uses it daily, quick- ly creating the pattern labels needed by the foundry. During a follow-up meeting with Laurie Barcaskey from Leading Marks, Knapp created even more clearly defined embossed characters with a simple change in the spring used in the impact press. Knapp is relieved he no longer must use the old system, aka the “Spin to Win” for pattern labels. Knapp will be championing the efforts of other departments to employ this solution throughout the plant.

​When asked about the implemen- tation of the new system. Lucas said “I was pleasantly surprised that Leading Marks did not flinch when I men- tioned creating dies for the font I had been 3D printing.”
​
“Leading Marks had some great ideas on implementing the tagging project. Prior to seeing the Modern Casting piece, I was going in a different direction. It saved a lot of time going with proven equipment and a knowledgeable vendor.”

Created via Chat GPT, Edited by Bernard Martin

Laser marking is a process in which a laser beam is used to mark or engrave an object. The laser beam is directed at the surface of the object, and the energy from the beam causes a change in the surface material, resulting in a permanent mark.

There are several types of laser marking, including annealing, engraving, and foaming. The type of laser used, the material being marked, and the desired outcome will determine the specific process and technique used for laser marking.

​Common materials that can be laser marked include metals, plastics, and ceramics. Laser marking is often used in industrial settings for product identification, traceability, and branding.

The term "laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," which summarizes quite well exacty how lasers work. Light particles, called photons, are excited with an electrical current, causing them to emit energy in the form of light. This light forms the laser beam.

The principle of industrial traceability by laser engraving is based on a beam of high intensity laser focused and then directed towards the part to be marked.  Its orientation is ensured by a galvanometric head composed of two mirrors. When a laser beam hits a part's surface, the energy is transferred in the form of heat, creating black, white, and sometimes colored marks.

In manufacturing, Lasers  are a permanent, a precise and qualitative marking solution for part identification and traceability. Different applications may require different marking techniques such as engraving, staining, removing, annealing, and foaming are the most common marking methods. Each laser marking procedure will have its own unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on the materials being used and the quality requirement.

Many different types of materials can be laser marked, including:

• Metals: Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and titanium are common materials that can be laser marked. The laser beam melts or vaporizes the metal, creating a permanent mark.
• Plastics: Many different types of plastics can be laser marked, including polycarbonate, ABS, and polyamide. The laser beam causes the surface of the plastic to change color, creating a contrast between the marked and unmarked areas.
• Ceramics: Ceramic materials can be laser marked by removing a thin layer of the surface material. This creates a contrast between the marked and unmarked areas, making the mark visible.
• Glass: Laser marking on glass is done by a process called scribing, which involves using a laser beam to create a crack in the surface of the glass.
• Wood: Wood materials can be laser marked by burning the surface of the wood, resulting in a dark mark on a light background.
• Some fabrics: Laser marking can be used to print on fabrics such as denim, cotton, polyester, etc.

It is important to note that not all materials are suitable for laser marking, as the energy from the laser beam can cause damage to some materials. Additionally, the type of laser used and the specific laser marking process will be determined by the material being marked, as well as the desired outcome.

Laser marking Is used in many industries including  automotive, aeronautics, energy, metallurgy, medical, agriculture, agri-food, defense, electronics, railway, lifting and public works, mechanics, motorcycles, heavy trucks and numerous others.

Laser marking can be used to create a variety of marks, including:

1. Text: Laser marking can be used to engrave text, such as product information, serial numbers, or branding, onto the surface of an object.
2. Barcodes and QR codes: Laser marking can be used to create barcodes and QR codes, which can be used for product identification and tracking.
3. Logos and graphics: Laser marking can be used to engrave logos and graphics onto the surface of an object, such as company logos or product images.
4. Serial numbers: Laser marking can be used to engrave serial numbers onto the surface of an object, which can be used for product identification, tracking, and traceability.
5. Data matrix codes: Laser marking can be used to create Data matrix codes, which are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store a large amount of information in a small space.
6. Deep engraving: This type of laser marking is used to create three-dimensional marks in the surface of an object, and can be used to create detailed images or text.
7. Cutouts and shapes: Laser cutting can be used to create intricate cuts and shapes in materials, such as fabrics, plastics, metals and even wood.
8. Micro-text: Laser marking can be used to create very small text that is difficult to read with the naked eye, but can be read with a microscope.

The specific type of mark that is made with a laser will depend on the material being marked, the desired outcome, and the type of laser that is being used.

There are several types of laser marking that can be done, including:

• Annealing: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to heat a metal surface, causing a change in the color of the metal. This type of marking is often used on stainless steel and titanium.
• Engraving: This type of laser marking involves removing a small amount of material from the surface of an object, creating a permanent mark. This type of marking is often used for product identification, traceability, and branding.
• Foaming: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to create small bubbles on the surface of a plastic material, creating a contrasting mark. This type of marking is often used for product identification, traceability, and branding.
• Scribing: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to create a crack in the surface of a material such as glass. This type of marking is often used for product identification, traceability, and branding.
• Ablating: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to remove a small amount of material from the surface of an object, creating a permanent mark. This is commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries for product identification, traceability, and branding.
• Color change: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to change the color of the surface of a material. This is commonly used in the packaging and labeling industry for product identification, traceability, and branding.
• Deep engraving: This type of laser marking is used to create three-dimensional marks in the surface of an object, and can be used to create detailed images or text.
• Laser cutting: This type of laser marking involves using a laser beam to cut materials, such as fabrics, plastics, metals and even wood.
• The type of laser marking that is used will depend on the material being marked and the desired outcome.

Laser marking is used in a wide range of industries, including:

1. Manufacturing: Laser marking is commonly used in the manufacturing industry for product identification, traceability, and branding. This includes marking product information, serial numbers, and company logos onto the surface of products.
   
2. Aerospace and Defense: Laser marking is used in the aerospace and defense industries for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto aircraft parts.
   
3. Automotive: Laser marking is used in the automotive industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto car parts.
   
4. Medical Device: Laser marking is used in the medical device industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto medical devices.
   
5. Electronics: Laser marking is used in the electronics industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto electronic devices.
   
6. Jewelry: Laser marking is used in the jewelry industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto jewelry.
   
7. Packaging and labeling: Laser marking is used in the packaging and labeling industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto packaging and labels.
   
8. Textile: Laser marking is used in the textile industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto fabrics.
   
9. Wood and stone: Laser marking is used in the wood and stone industry for product identification and traceability, such as marking serial numbers and other information onto wood and stone products.
   

The specific use of laser marking in an industry will depend on the nature of the product and the needs of the industry for identification, traceability and branding.

There are lots Steel Stamps and Dies available off-the-shelf to meet many of your everyday needs. But when you need something custom or unique, it's good to know that we can have that made for you too!  Here are some things to things you should know about steel stamps and dies. 

This video shows how Monolith Knives use metal dies and a press to put a makers mark into a knife blank before hardening the blade steel.