Columbia Marking Tools, Inc. has pioneered the application development of many of the marking processes used in manufacturing today, including enhanced versions of dot-peen marking, low-stress dot-peen marking, impact marking, roll marking, laser marking and now scribe marking.

Tom Phipps, Columbia Marking Tools, CEO, says, “Columbia has designed and built hundreds of stand-alone and automated special marking machines utilizing every type of marking process. We study the customer’s process and apply the best marking system solution for the application. That includes, type of mark required, production requirements, noise and safety of the process, and ultimately the quality of the mark. Types of marks include, date stamp & shift codes, QC marks, part numbers, traceability marks, UID Compliant and 2D Matrix Square Dot codes, company logos, lot numbers, and even trademarks.”

Phipps points out, “Today we are seeing an increased need for deeper marks in new types of alloys, steels, including high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) and different formulations of casting materials, all of which require versatility in the range of marking pressure capability.

Phipps explains, “But how do we define a deep mark. In some cases, it can be as deep as 0.0310-inch. The depth required is what limits the type of marking process. For example, typical laser marking depth is 0.0005-inch for any reasonable production rate. Standard dot-peen marking up to 0.0030-inches, but with an air-operated impact marker you can achieve average marking depths of 0.0080-inch. and roll marking up to 0.0120-inch.”

Recently Columbia developed a new C-Series of markers that perform both dot-peen and what is called the ‘Silent Scribe’ CNC marking system. Columbia originally patented programmable CNC scribe marking machine technology in 2005 primarily for standard I-Mark scribe markers for marking 2D Square Dot matrix codes. The marker utilizes an x-y-z axis slide arrangement that is driven through precise ballscrews. The scribe head, mounted on a platen that is linked to the slides, uses a diamond stylus to quietly scribe text or graphics into hard or soft surfaces producing fully-formed lines, curves, and 2D matrix codes. The control of the head movement is provided by a programmable controller that interfaces with standard Windows®-based systems combined with the high-power I-Mark marking system to create the marks and codes. Utilizing high-power stylus actuators that operate on relatively low air pressure, the C Series can produce extra deep marks.

The ballscrew and linear bearing axis design permits the user to have either a quiet-running servo motor drive that provides high-speed marking capability up to 10 characters per second with 0.005mm positioning accuracy, or a high-performance stepper motor drive that gives 0.02mm repeatability at 5 characters per second. The machine can operate as a stand-alone or, because of its compact size, can be easily integrated into an automated production system that use robots, because the marking head is designed to ‘get-out-of-the-way’. With the C-Series component architecture, the individual axis can be customized from 40 mm to 500 mm travel or more, allowing for extreme flexibility.

About Columbia Marking Tools

Columbia Marking Tools is a leading designer and manufacturer of metal and plastic marking equipment including stamps, roll marking dies, roll marking and impact marking machines, fully programmable pulsed fiber diode laser, peen/scribe marking and UID/2D Square Dot® machines, numbering heads and special marking and vision inspection machines.

The new Tag Master 3 feeder from Kwik Mark Inc. was developed to eliminate the problematic tag feeding issues of escaping tags from the bottom of the magazine. The tags are transferred from the top to eliminate the jamming; scratching and other problems associated with bottom feed “coin changer” type escapements. This also means thickness tolerance; sharp edges, etc. are no longer issues. Available with Print Queue Driver; allowing multiple users to download job menus, variables, quantities, etc.

About Kwik Mark Inc.
The Kwikmark name is synonymous with high performance and user friendly marking equipment. We are a self-sufficient, full service solutions provider with a strong, proven track record. Our Products are 100% designed and manufactured at our facility. All engineering and software is written here as well, including the Windows Software Suite and the firmware in the machines.

Part Marking Machines Designed & Built in the USA

For more information, visit www.kwikmark.com.

Stamp-Rite Supersine, located in Lansing, Michigan, has been manufacturing a wide range of identification products including signs, labels, rubber and steel stamps since 1955. Their mission is to continue to produce nearly indestructible architectural signs that surpass expectations of durability, aesthetics and economy, focusing on their unique die-raised letter and thermal formed signage, and expanding their already established label printing operation.

For more information, please visit:
www.stamprite.com  |  www.supersine.com

Or contact:
800-328-1988

About Durable Mecco:
Durable Mecco has been producing steel stamps, steel type and marking dies for over 100 years and is the U.S. distributor of the Couth line of impact presses. With manufacturing operations in Franklin Park, Illinois and Worcester, Massachusetts, Durable Mecco is a leading supplier of industrial marking solutions that include indenting products, ink marking solutions, custom engraving services, as well as office marking products and facility identification. With customers ranging from light-duty machine shops to the heavy-duty forging and metals industry, Durable Mecco is ready to be your One-Stop Shop for part marking and traceability solutions.

For more information, please visit:
www.durablemecco.com

Or contact:
866-344-7721

About Stamp-Rite Supersine  |  Ms. Barcaskey:
Ms. Barcaskey has been involved with providing marking solutions as a direct sales representative and by supporting industrial distributors and manufacturer’s representatives since 1980. Her tenure in the industry started with her family business based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that manufactured marking equipment ranging from steel stamps to automated work stations until it was sold in 2002. In recent years she has sold facility identification, thermal transfer labeling systems and supplies, as well as dot peen and laser marking machines.  Placing strong emphasis on the right solution for the job, she is prepared to transition the Stamp-Rite Supersine steel stamp customers into the Durable Mecco family with the same consistent quality products and on-time deliveries.

Ms. Barcaskey can be contacted at:
Stamp-Rite.LB@durablemecco.com