by Laurie Barcaskey There are some rather unique challenges associated with marking different materials. Here's a short overview of things to think about. Metals There are various types of metal marking methods, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. Three popular types of metal marking include indent, chemical etch, and ink marking. Various methods of marking can be used to mark alpha-numeric, logos or bar codes on metals whether they are bare or painted surfaces – flat or curved surfaces. You can also have an engineered solutions for any kind of mark on any type of metal – from steel pipe to sheet metal to 2D codes, barcodes, large or small character marks, and everything in between. Plastics Plastics require consideration of the chemistry. Hot stamping is most favorable for branding and decorative identification or an application where color contrast is important. Direct indented marks may have challenges for permanence especially if the plastic does not have a memory or if it is too brittle. Labels may not adhere or require very rugged adhesives. Corrosion may be a challenge with inks. Wood Variations in woods offer challenges for marking applications. Hard woods result in better direct-part marks, where soft woods may be too porous for good ink marks. Smooth surfaces yield better results when hot stamping or branding. Rugged adhesives for labeling offer longer sustainability especially when used on shipping containers. Other Materials & Components Precious metals can be marked with impact, dot peen or other non-invasive methods, while concrete is best served with inks, and glass with labels. Circuit boards are commonly marked with labels or chemical-etch processes that are being replaced by laser marking. Specialty equipment may require decal kits for branding, as well as serial plates for warranty identification. Whatever the material substrate to be marked, options are available to suit your requirements and budget. Leading Marks wants to help you identify solutions and improve your processes. About the Author Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889.
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by Laurie Barcaskey Stamps & Stencils, Portable Devices, and In-Line Systems apply marks directly onto product without disturbing the product integrity and eliminates the need to apply labels where adhesive may be a deterrent. Electronic devices provide versatility of changing marking detail quickly and automatically.
Varying ink options provide contrast to the substrate or when needed to define a process designation. Whether your need is in the manufacturing or packaging process, or at the final stage of shipping, current marking devices improve the process where industrial markers and stencils were common tools of the trade.
by Laurie Barcaskey Well, we’ve all heard it and hate the saying “but we’ve always done it that way.” Yes, I’m included in saying it, hearing it and resisting the thoughts of change at times but it’s inevitable and best if we embrace it and help make it happen.
Selling marking solutions is no different. I hear reasons like “I’m using Brand XYZ and they have always delivered”, or “it works for our needs right now.” Or even, "Well, it’s interesting but I’m not sure it fits our operation." And of course, "We’ve always done it this way."
Consider hand stamps for direct-part marking. Yes, it might be a caveman way of applying the mark and has its place in production. Let me ask a couple simple questions though.
Well maybe a quick solution is to add a hand stamp holder to make it a safer marking process. Maybe it’s time to consider adding a holder/type arrangement or dot peen marking system that would provide you more consistency not to mention versatility. Then again, maybe it’s using paint markers or stencils & ink rollers to apply text to beams, cartons or preformed concrete components. What a mess and waste of material. Talk about penmanship – what’s it going to be like in the future now that they don’t teach cursive writing in schools? Some of the newest technologies for applying ink marks are handheld, Bluetooth or computer-driven and are more environmentally friendly – not to mention economical in the long run by eliminating material waste or one-time use of stencils.
Well it’s cumbersome to rotate wheels around one character at a time – especially when you might have to make 50 to 100 of the same legend. Using proven, traditional components I’ve been able to take a new solution to an industry that wasn’t even looking. Every mark you make that the customer sees is reflective of your corporate image. Branding is a topic for another day. Yes, you can get inexpensive solutions on the internet, especially for commodity items like labels and rubber stamps. But do you get the service and support that offers alternatives with your company’s interest in mind? Oh I forgot, you’ve always worked with that company and don’t want to make the change. There’s that word again – change. I might not be the one you have worked with for years on your marking solutions. You might not have even been aware that there are experienced consultants out there to help offer suggestions for you to consider. Well there is, and I’m happy to schedule an appointment to review your marking process to see how it might be improved. Identifying solutions and improving processes are what I do. What is it you have been resisting to change? ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. by Laurie Barcaskey Ever since I was a child I can remember marking being a part of my family and DNA. It was not unusual to see my grandfather on summer weekends taking time to hand file tapers onto hand stamps used for mold and badge marking.
As I grew into my teenage years I frequented the manufacturing facility that had moved to Franklin Park. I would watch hand stamps and type being quenched in oil after leaving the heat-treating furnaces, or to see the towering slab markers, and the roll marking systems that my father designed and built to meet the needs for marking heat numbers, serial numbers or other required markings for the customer’s specific industry.
When my father’s last invention needed marketing capital to get to market the company was sold. A long-time family friend, who had a distribution business in Pittsburgh, helped me find stable footing again, and from there I started the adventure of finding my own destination within the marking industry.
With perseverance through what may come – hopefully more good than bad – it is my intention to be persistently patient and professional as the details are explored together. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. by Laurie Barcaskey When people ask me what I do for a living and I say “I sell industrial identification equipment and solutions for traceability” it’s not unusual to get a blank look and immediately asked “What’s that?” As soon as I mention VIN identification and car recalls they get it and we talk further about the many places that marking is around us.
Now that more and more parts are marked with the addition of bar codes, organizations often struggle with how to capture and use the data. Smart devices and bar code scanners that interface with databases allow quicker capture of the data.
As industry requires marking more often, I must admit that marking and traceability of products has never been more exciting. How can I help you mark your part and capture the details? ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. by Laurie Barcaskey Applying identification on to substrates such as plastic, leather and wood for decorative purposes or where other marking methods are not most feasible. Marking methods represented include: Branding Irons, Presses and Marking Dies & Foils.
About the Author Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. by Laurie Barcaskey The Boss Buddy label system enables better clarity and traceability than cast-in data. Traceability of cast products starts when the patterns are being manufactured. Important data such as date codes, order numbers or other information that needs to survive the life of the casting. Now, you can replace plastic tape material with adhesive-backed foil material with the Boss Buddy! An equipment package for this requirement starts with a pneumatically-operated bench model impact press that has been tooled with marking equipment specific to the customer’s marking requirements. Marking legends manually changed through individual type characters and/or multiple character segment set up. Packages can be operated with dual hand controls, or automated and assembled to include a table and safety precautions. PLC interface allows programming cycle counts. Contact us for more details! About the Author Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. 5S is a systematic process of workplace organization. Here's an overview of the five parts. With industry working to be more efficient, due to fewer employees available to complete the work, and using equipment to its fullest potential, manufacturing organizations are seeking to be more intentional about processes that impact the bottom line. Much of this is driven by 5S Good Housekeeping practices. What does this refer to? A short definition is that 5S, or the five pillars of the visual workplace, is a systematic process of workplace organization. A method developed by the Japanese, it works in relationship with lean manufacturing so that organizations can Sort, Set in order, Shine (clean), Standardize and Sustain the process to complete the work in the most efficient manner for just-in-time deliveries. Some manufacturing professionals simply don’t understand the value of the process or don’t see the relevance of the 5S principles. When asked about the components of 5S, these folks might comment, “That’s just a system of keeping things organized and clean, right?” as if it’s some sort of crazy idea about messy toolboxes. Others might react with, “Why make a big program out of cleaning up?” Yet there are focused companies that, once organized, are quick to agree that they witness the benefits of efficiency, experience fewer work-related injuries and have better communication and attitudes among workers. Most importantly, they benefit from cost savings. Successful manufacturers are always seeking ways for continuous improvement that will allow them to provide quality products in a timely manner for the least amount of money. 5S helps drive this through lean manufacturing principles. These organizations take the time to evaluate, collaborate, implement and monitor to make adaptations for the best results. The intent of 5S is to have only what you need available in the workplace, a designated place for everything, a standard way of doing things and the discipline to maintain it. For the operator, the components of 5S create a superior working environment. It gives the operator an opportunity to provide creative input regarding how the workplace should be organized and laid out and how standard work should be completed. Operators will be able to find things easier every time. The workplace will be cleaner and safer. Jobs will be simpler and more satisfying with many obstacles and frustrations removed. First S The first “S” (Sort) requires you to distinguish between what is needed and not needed. Then it requires you to discard what is not needed, which is known as “red-tagging.” A team goes through all items (tools, equipment, material, etc.), and each member asks the question: “Do I need this to do my job on a regular basis?” Items that are used very infrequently or never used should be red-tagged. After determining what is actually needed, all documentation is updated to reflect the necessary parts. Second S The second “S” (Set in Order) requires you to organize things so that they are simple to use and label them so that anyone can find, use and return them to the correct place easily. Where it is practical, visual controls should be used in this activity, such as labeling, signage and a communication device within the work environment that tells you at a glance how work should be done. The requirements for setting in order include:
Third S The third “S” (Shine) involves bringing the workspace back to proper order by the end of each day. It requires periodic cleanup (at least once daily), responsible person(s) identified for cleanup, establishment of cleanup/restocking methods (tools, checklists, etc.) and periodic supervisor inspection. Fourth S The fourth “S” (Standardize) is the method by which you maintain the first three “S” steps. Organization, orderliness and cleanliness are maintained and made habitual by instituting 5S duties into regular work routines. The methods need to be standardized and required company-wide. Fifth S The fifth “S” (Sustain) allows the organization to sustain its 5S program by requiring:
While the initial thought of digging into the entire process may be an overwhelmingly tedious idea for an organization, the benefits of clearing the old, unused equipment of the past provide renewed energy for organizing and improving the future of the total organization. It requires honest assessment of what it takes to be efficient and strong discipline to maintain 5S. In today’s hectic work environments, finding the time to collaborate on this topic is the first challenge. Next comes the budgeting and implementation to make it happen. With dedicated, knowledgeable vendor partners, the task of organizing, identifying and inspecting the process becomes easier. Through creative dialogue with your team, you can find flexible ways to complete the task and encourage continued practice of 5S Good Housekeeping. ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
John Newbold, Business Development Manager, has been with Mobile Epiphany for three years. Over the past 12 months, he has been leading the scope of mobile applications for manufacturing that include 5S Good Housekeeping, Work-in-Process and Environment, Health & Safety Inspection, among others. Contact John at Mobile Epiphany, 416-526-7971, 2675 South Abilene Street, Suite 100, Aurora, CO 80014 Laurie Barcaskey of Leading Marks is an authorized manufacturer’s representative with 30 years of experience and shop floor knowledge of solutions for industrial identification, part traceability and pipe testing. Laurie is the third generation of one of the marking industry’s most innovative and enduring family legacies, tracing back to 1889. Contact Laurie at Leading Marks, 412-366-4733, 736 W. Ingomar Road #707, Ingomar, PA 15127, www.leadingmarks.com from Marking Industry Magazine, 07/2010 Author: Laurie Barcaskey |
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