A great addition to the I-Mark dot peen and scribe marking machines or the CMT Eclipse laser marking machines is the CMT industrial PC. The Windows-based PC is a fanless computer with no moving parts. The complete upgrade includes: Windows software, preloaded laser software, 17" monitor and mount, membrane keyboard and shelf.

CMT offers an industrial fume extractor for laser marking. Laser marking is a burning process, and the smoke contains particulate matter that is not healthy for the operator to breathe. The smoke and particulate also impedes the laser beam and reduces the clarity and depth of the mark. A powerful fume extractor system is recommended to assure safety of the operator and the clarity of the mark.

The CMT Fume Extractor is contained in a brushed stainless steel floor-style cabinet with casters. The 3-stage filter system is pre-piped and wired to the laser enclosure system. The complete package includes hoses and suction nozzle mounting. CMT recommends this essential component to provide longevity to the laser unit investment.

In regular dot peen and scribe marking operations no additional guarding is required. The pinch point between the moving pin and the part being marked is less than ¼”. The ¼” distance is used by OSHA to determine a pinch point of injury. The application may require guarding depending on how the pin moves to the part from the home position, or when the marking station uses an automated axis or feeding system.

Laser systems include a light-tight frame surrounding the marking source. Some safety officers elect to have the addition of the light curtain with the automated door upgrade. The light curtain is electronically tied into the laser or marking source. Any interruption of the beam between the two opposing sensors will stop the marking process and any motion. CMT designs the automated door with the feature of not closing if any resistance is met.

Automated start features are simply a must for production manufacturing. The standard method to start the marking process for either the I-Mark or CMT Eclipse marking software is to use a Windows mouse and select the marking icon, followed by an additional mouse click to start the process. This process is only seconds, but for repetitive production marking it adds up to minutes.

A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read printed barcodes, decode the data contained in the barcode and send the data to the marking controller. This ASCII digital code stream is sent through a serial port into a placeholder in the marking layout.

A machine-readable mark is the standard for advanced part tracking and traceability. The 2D mark is comprised of dark and light squares. The data encrypted in the code can be “read” by a camera.

The positioning of the marking head is important for a variety of reasons. For dot peen and scribe marking processes the marking head must be positioned very near the part. However, the part needs room to be moved in and out of the marking fixture.

The 6” pneumatic approach is designed for rugged industrial environment and heavy production requirements. The air-powered stage will quickly advance and retract to one set position. This solution is well suited for high volume production conveyor line operations, and fast cycle times.

The positioning of the marking head is important for a variety of reasons. For dot peen and scribe marking processes the marking head must be positioned very near the part. However, the part needs room to be moved in and out of the marking fixture.

The 6” electric approach is designed for rugged industrial environments and heavy production requirements. The electric powered stage can be set to multiple positions for every marking cycle. Perfect for flexible operations with multiple marking surfaces or parts.

The positioning of the marking head is important for a variety of reasons. For dot peen and scribe marking processes the marking head must be positioned very near the part. However, the part needs room to be moved in and out of the marking fixture.

The 1” pin to part approach is especially designed for the I-Mark I series. The 1” approach provides the needed space to accommodate automated loading and unloading operations.

High-volume industrial part marking is inevitably not the cleanest manufacturing environment. Industrial traceability is usually located in or near forging, machining, or welding cells. Traceability of the parts is most often required at the most critical and difficult manufacturing point. This point is also prone to significant metal debris.

The addition of a flexible bellows is the most popular machine shield option. This is a great solution for installations with the pin pointing up. Bellows protect the internal working parts of the marking system. The flexible bellows option is available in standard and high temperature material.

High-volume industrial part marking is inevitably not the cleanest manufacturing environment. Industrial traceability is usually located in or near forging, machining, or welding cells. Traceability of the parts is most often required at the most critical and difficult manufacturing point. This point is also prone to significant metal debris.

The stainless-steel shield provides complete protection from dust and airborne particles. It is designed for industrial applications for protection from fluid and weld spray. Because of the moving plates, this style of shield is not recommended with the pin “up” position. Also, this design is not available for the largest marking windows.

The I-Mark dot peen and scribe systems are used in automated robot work cells. When the part is held by the root during the marking process a pedestal mounted marking station is a perfect fit.

The pedestal mount is also used to quickly install a marking station along a conveyor line. Single- or double-headed stations are available.