Peen Marking Head marks vehicle identification numbers.

Press Release Summary:




Programmable, high-speed PM Micro(TM) is suitable for marking VIN numbers and derivatives. High-torque stepper motors and ball-screw drive move head at 300 mm/sec, to mark up to 8 characters/sec. Up to 10 derivative digits can be marked as well as up to 17 characters on engines, transmissions, chassis, frames, cowls and floorboards. It has keyboard and controller, with user-friendly prompts for quick navigation thru programming.



Original Press Release:



Columbia Marking Tools Introduces New Small, Rugged PM Micro(TM) Peen Marking Head For Marking Vehicle Identification(VIN) Numbers And Derivatives



Small, precision marking unit is designed to be integrated into new and existing production systems.

Columbia Marking Tools, Inc. in Mt. Clemens, MI in conjunction with MarKing Integrity, Inc., is introducing the new PM Micro(TM), a small programmable high-speed peen marking head that is ideal for marking automotive vehicle identification (VIN) numbers and VIN derivatives. Columbia Marking Tools has a joint venture with MarKing Integrity, Inc., to provide service and systems integration for the Richter Systems and Machines line of programmable peen marking systems. MarKing Integrity, Inc. is the North American sales and marketing organization for Richter.

The new peen marking head is only 5-1/2 x 7 x 7-inches in size. Fig. 1. Movement for the marking head is provided by high torque stepper motors and ballscrew drive that produces the fast 300 mm per second speed, which marks up to eight characters per second with good quality. This speed is considerably higher than other competitive models and has the flexibility to inscribe many different materials including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics and wood. Up to 10 derivative digits can be marked as well as up to a full 17 characters on engines, transmissions, chassis, frames, cowls and floorboards. The marking pin assembly is protected by a shutter arrangement so application in harsh environments is possible.

The small PM Micro marking head is mountable in any attitude making it ideal for in-line integration. The marking window is 2.35 x 1.59-inches. The CNC-controlled vibro peen marking action ensures the most precise inscriptions.

The CNC controller for the marking unit has a display window for viewing marks, serial and I/O interfaces and a software package designed for ease of integration.

Larry Holt, Columbia Marking Tools' marketing and sales manager says, "This is a very fast and versatile peen marking unit. Because it's so small, it is easy to integrate into a production system. With on-board I/O and serial interface, the unit can receive information two different ways, regardless of the type of PLC. It can be designed for automatic, semi-automatic or manual operation.

The EasyMarker is a complete package including a keyboard and controller, with user-friendly prompts for quick navigation thru programming (Keyboard not required for automatic operation after initial setup). The standard unit interfaces with existing Windows(R) 95, 98 or NT systems, using the included SIGNUMERIC software. This allows the user to create intricate logos, special graphics, and 2-D codes with enhanced functionality.

Data entered by the keyboard can be viewed and edited on the LCD display before any marking is performed. Text can be fixed or variable, numbering can be sequential, date coding can be set up to be automatic and character size can vary in 0.1 mm steps. For increased flexibility, the penetration depth is easily adjustable through a pressure regulator. The standard PM Micro system includes the marking head, CNC controller and keyboard. A two-year warranty is standard.

Columbia Marking Tools, Inc. in Mt. Clemens, Michigan is a leading designer and manufacturer of metal and plastic marking equipment including stamps, roll marking dies, roll marking and impact marking machines, numbering heads and special marking machines.

Columbia also has an alliance with Plymouth, Michigan-based MarKing Integrity, Inc. to provide marketing, sales and systems integration for the German manufactured line of Richter programmable peen marking systems, including the EasyMarker(R) and the UniGrav(R) models.

Send all inquiries to:
Sales and Marketing Department
Columbia Marking Tools
42600 Executive Drive
Harrison Township, MI 48045
Telephone (800) 469-MARK
FAX (810) 469-3120
www.columbiamt.com

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