Digital etching machine prints on demand

An advanced and flexible machine that offers 'print-on-demand' stencils and Data Matrix part marking is designed to meet the full range of marking needs.

Edward Pryor and Son (Pryor), a global industrial marking equipment supplier, today launched its new EtchMasterUSBT unit, an advanced and flexible machine that offers Print-on-Demand stencils and Data Matrix part marking.

This new digital etching unit is designed to meet the full range of marking needs - from the general manager of a small engineering workshop, for small and fast part marking, to quality or production managers in multi-nationals who need traceability throughout a component's shelf-life.

The unit has a scale of prices starting from a few hundred pounds for the small business user.

The EtchMasterUSBT creates a permanent, high definition mark on metals using a wide range of digital timing and power options that allow excellent control of the depth and density of a mark.

The Pryor-designed software ensures easy encryption and verification of a Data Matrix code and print-on-demand stencil production, enabling a new part to be etched with a unique identity within seconds of manufacture.

The new ID can be stored on a database as a permanent record for future traceability.

The EtchMasterUSBT is a light, portable, bench-mountable or freestanding electrolytic marking machine.

Its robust, versatile design and numerous accessories allow the marking of a wide variety of electro-conductive materials.

Commonly used to mark stainless steel, steel, aluminium and carbide, the EtchMasterUSBT guarantees a high quality mark without workpiece distortion whatever the surface.

Richard Askham, applications engineer for Pryor and one of the developers of the machine, said: "One of the benefits of etching is that very hard materials can be marked, for example when indenting cannot be used.

There is no pressure involved, unlike pressing, embossing or roll marking, so there is no danger of the parts being distorted.

Etching can provide an attractive, dark, almost black mark on a machined surface, which gives a marketing benefit.

Some coloured marks are also possible.

All these things mean that a part can be customized at the very end of the manufacturing process, reducing inventory costs." An electro-chemical etch (ECE) controller, a common item for all etching applications, is able to link via USB to a PC and Pryor-created software programs, which in turn can be linked to other, in-house programs as required.

The controller is adapted for use in the customer's particular application, from small and random batch marking, to etching of special codes including Data Matrix.

The depth and quality of the mark is governed by the power and timer settings on the ECE controller, and these can be saved on the system.

Pryor offers customers full operator training and will arrange installation of the etching unit and software anywhere in the world.

The EtchMasterUSBT is quick and easy to use with low maintenance.

Pryor is the one-stop-shop for all etching accessories, as well as specially designed support/location tooling to cope with irregular-shaped components.

Accessories include stencils, electrolytes, stencil printer, 2D Data Matrix code reader, electrodes, and other items.

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