Marking and Engraving Equipment Specifications

Help with Marking and Engraving Equipment specifications:

Machine Type

	Technology
	Your choices are...
	Direct Thermal		Direct thermal printers output sharp, clear text and graphics. They use heat to set images on non-curling, smudge-proof, heavy-stock thermal paper.
	Dot Matrix		Dot matrix printers produce characters and illustrations by striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely-spaced dots in the appropriate shape. Dot matrix printers can print multi-page forms (carbon copies).
	Dot Peening		Dot peening is a direct product marking (DPM) process. It is an impact-marking technique that produces a series of closely-spaced dots that resemble a solid line. The workpiece must have sufficient hardness so that the material's memory does not return the surface to its original condition. Dot peen marking is suitable for metals in the range of 62 Rockwell, and can be used with plastics and hardwoods.
	Flexography		Flexography is a rotary-press printing technology that uses water-based inks. Flexographic printers are often used to print on plastic, paper or cardboard.
	Hot Stamping		Hot stamping machines use heat and pressure to apply an image onto a surface from a film that carries a thin leaf of color.
	Impact Press / Indenting		Impact presses mark products and/or media when controlled precise operations are needed.  They are composed of a die or tool head attached to a mechanical, pneumatic or electric actuator.
	Ink Jet		Ink jet printers spray ink droplets through a nozzle onto the page. There are two basic types of ink jet printers: thermal and piezo.
	Laser Printer		Laser printers use a laser beam to produce an image on a drum. The light of the laser alters the electrical charge on the drum, and the drum is then rolled through a reservoir of toner. In turn, the toner is picked up by the charged portions of the drum. Finally, the toner is transferred to the paper through a combination of heat and pressure.
	Laser Marking		Lasers are used for marking, engraving, and etching applications for imparting labels, graduations, text, pictures or patterns on a surface.  Numerous materials can be marked such as ceramics, glass, wood, aluminum, stainless steel and other material surfaces.
	LED / LCD		LED printers and LCD printers are similar to a laser printers, but uses light-emitting diodes (LED) or liquid crystal displays (LCD) to produce an image on the drum.
	Letterpress		Letterpress printers are simple printing presses that use a die with raised type to press text onto the page.
	Line Printer		Line printers contain a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. They are very fast, but produce low-quality print. Line matrix printers use the same technology as dot matrix printers, but are much faster over greater workloads.
	Offset Printer		Offset printers use a rubber cylinder to transfer an inked image from a printing plate to paper or other media.
	Pad Printer		Pad printers use silicone pads to print on contoured or difficult plastic surfaces. They are used for relatively small images, text and graphics.
	Plotter		Plotters use a pen to produce line art and images on paper or other media.
	Roll Form Marking		Roll form marking is a marking method where the material or product is marked with a contoured head.
	Rotary Engraving		Rotary engraving machines mark products and/or media by use of a rotary tool head affixed to a spindle.
	Rotary Marking		Rotary marking machines like pad printers are used to mark round parts.  Planetary marking machines, a specific type of rotary marking machines, work under the same principle where products or media are rotated through the marking area.
	Rotary Press		Rotary presses are similar to letterpresses, but place the raised type on a roller instead of a flat die.
	Rotogravure		Rotogravure printers engrave photographic images on a cylinder that is then used in a rotary printing press.
	Screen Printer		Screen printers transfers an image onto a mesh screen by blocking out the surrounding area or areas.
	Stylus Marking / Scribing		Stylus marking or scribing machines are either workbench, table top or handheld machines with an integral tool head used for marking and engraving purposes.
	Thermal Transfer		Thermal transfer uses heat and pressure to transfer resin-based ink from tiny ribbons directly onto the paper.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary technologies.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Media

	Media Handling
	Your choices are...
	Glass / Ceramics		Devices can mark or print on glass or ceramic surfaces.
	Metals		Devices can mark or print on metals or conductive materials.
	Paper		The device's primary function is to output data or graphics on paper, from a single sheet, roll or continuous fan-fold supply.
	Plastics		Devices can mark or print on plastic or other non-conductive materials.
	Semiconductors / Electronics		Devices can mark or print on chips, printed circuit boards (PCBs), dies, or semiconductor wafers.
	Textiles / Composites		Devices can mark or print on soft, fragile, gummy, or flexible materials such as textiles, cloth or composites.
	Wood / Corrugated Paper		Devices can mark or print on fibrous materials such as wood or corrugated paper.
	Irregular Surfaces		Devices can mark or print on irregular, rough or rounded surfaces,
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary media.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Automation / Operation

	Automation
	Your choices are...
	Manual		Manual machines aid in the setting or holding of products.  Operators are responsible for most controls and activities.
	Semi-automatic		Semi-automatic machines allow a single operator to perform routine activities quickly and accurately. These machines help with both placement and packaging.
	Automatic		Automatic machines perform activities without operator intervention. In fully automatic applications, operator involvement is limited to the replenishment of packaging components. For example, operators load empty bags or cartons onto filling system magazines, load supply hoppers with bulk materials, place empty pallets on palletizer magazines, and remove completed cartons or pallets.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary automation type.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.
	Operation
	Your choices are...
	Mechanical		Device is mechanically or manually operated.
	Electric		Device is electrically operated.
	Air / Pneumatic		Device is pneumatically operated.
	Hydraulic		Device is hydraulically operated.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary operation type.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Performance Specifications

	Printing / Marking Width		Printing or marking width is the width of the characters produced by the printer. This is not the width of the media on which text or images are printed.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Maximum Cycle Rate		Maximum cycle rate is the number of cycles that can be performed during a specific period of time.
	Search Logic:		User may specify either, both, or neither of the "At Least" and "No More Than" values. Products returned as matches will meet all specified criteria.
	Number of Colors		This is the number of colors used for printing and marking.
	Search Logic:		All matching products will have a value greater than or equal to the specified value.
	Digital Interface
	Your choices are...
	Serial / Digital		Devices can provide outputs in serial, parallel, Ethernet or other digital formats.
	Network / Fieldbus		Devices output signals that are formatted according to an industrial fieldbus protocol such as CANbus, PROFIBUS®, or SERCOS; a networking protocol such as Ethernet; or another industrial automation protocol. PROFIBUS is a registered trademark of PROFIBUS International.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary digital interfaces.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Applications

	Applications
	Your choices are...
	Bar Codes		Printers produce bar codes, an optical translation which encodes numeric or alphanumeric data in vertical bars and alternating spaces. Bar code bars vary in terms of boldness. Typically, bar codes are printed on labels and then attached to products.
	Date Stamp		Printers can print or mark the manufacturing date, expiration date, packaging date, or other date on products, materials or other media.
	Graphics		Printers can produce graphics.
	Labels		Printers are designed for labels or adhesive stamps. Most label printers can print barcodes.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary applications.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Features

	Copying / Scanning Capabilities		The printer is a multifunction system for printing, copying, and/or scanning.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Industrial Metal Housing		The printer is housed in an industrial metal cabinet for protection.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Memory / Storage		The printer has storage capacity or memory for custom settings, programming, and processing tasks.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Programmable		The printer is programmable to facilitate custom printing and marking applications.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	Application Software Included		The printer is equipped with application software.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	RoHS Compliant		Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is a European Union (EU) directive that requires all manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment sold in Europe to demonstrate that their products contain only minimal levels of the following hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl, and polybrominated diphenyl ether. RoHS will become effective on July 1, 2006.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.
	WEEE Compliant		Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) is a European Union (EU) directive that is designed to encourage the reuse, recycling and recovery of electrical and electronic equipment. WEEE establishes criteria and requirements for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of this equipment. It also makes producers responsible for financing these activities. For their part, retailers and distributors must provide a way for consumers to return used or obsolete equipment without charge. WEEE became effective on August 1, 2005.
	Search Logic:		"Required" and "Must Not Have" criteria limit returned matches as specified. Products with optional attributes will be returned for either choice.

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