Marcel Duchamp wrote:
> Stephen D. Barnes wrote:
>   
>> Mark Scoville wrote:
>>     
>>> If you have not done so already take a look at what VideoJet offers. Maybe
>>> they make something suitable for your needs - maybe not.
>>>
>>> -- Mark
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>       
>> I agree with Mark, but keep in mind that these units are expensive and 
>> designed for printing product on high speed production lines. One plant 
>> I worked in had six of the 1000 series doing date codes on the bottoms 
>> of 1 Lb. coffee cans. The print was approx 3/16" high. Of course print 
>> size is adjustable. They have a model 1510 thais specifically for small 
>> print. Here is a link to their brochure. 
>> https://my.videojet.com/videojet/distributors/documents/support/Brochures/1000Line_Brochure_FINAL_042108.pdf
>>
>>     
>
> Thanks to all for those pointers. The videojet looks like a good solution.
>
> As to why not to use labels, we currently are but have many assemblies 
> we want marked but that have uneven surfaces and the labels do not 
> adhere well.
>   
That is where the VideoJet will excel. If you look at the bottom of a 
coffee can you will notice the concentric indents. These are there to 
prevent the "lid" from collapsing when the "lid" is seamed under vacuum. 
The VideoJet prints very legibly across these surface variations. The 
print head to surface distance in our operation was approx.1/4". These 
things have adjustable head separation (distance from target) as well as 
focus of the dot pattern all done via the touch screen! Of course your 
product has to move under the head (head is stationary), usually via 
conveyor. Or you could mount the head on a linear actuator that has a 
constant and known speed.

-- 
Regards,
Stephen D. Barnes

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