Ferro and DataLase Sign Agreement

Ferro and DataLase Sign Agreement To Market
Special Laser Marking Aerosol For Metals

Laser markings on a metal surface using the DataLase process.

Click on all photos in blog for larger images.

Ferro Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio and DataLase of Widnes, UK have signed a distribution agreement and will develop and market a special laser-markable aerosol containing the DataLase® pigment for applying variable information onto metal or painted metal parts. This agreement covers the US, Canada and Mexico. The new technology will be launched to the market in December 2006.

The new spray containing the DataLase® pigment will be applied onto metal parts using an aerosol and after it has been exposed to a portable low-power CO2 DataLase-approved laser, it will undergo a chemical reaction in the pigment turning it from white to black.

The new solution will be targeted at a broad range of industries, including automotive, aerospace and appliances, for tracking, tracing and bar-coding high-value parts. This is a totally new application for the DataLase process, which to date has been used on primary and secondary packaging.

Phil Maitland, Ferro Glass Systems Global Marketing & Business Development Manager said, “We are very excited to be collaborating with DataLase in the development of this innovative new machine-identification solution. This important investment compliments our existing line of laser-marking materials, and confirms our commitment in offering high quality technologies to customers, to help them significantly reduce costs and increase productivity.”

Steve Kelly, CEO of DataLase, said, “We foresee great interest in the potential use of this new technology for a variety of applications. By entering into this agreement with Ferro Corporation, we can be confident that this groundbreaking technology will be made available to a much broader market.”

Ferro Corporation produces materials that enhance the performance of products in a broad range of industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, building and renovation, appliances, automotive, household furnishings and industrial products. More information about Ferro is available at http://www.ferro.com/. For more details about the new product contact Dave Smith, Laser Marking Sales Manager at smithde@ferro.com or 1-724-250-5503.

DataLase, the originator of the award-winning DataLase® process, is a fast growing technology company whose patented process is used in a diverse range of applications including product identification and anti-counterfeiting. The firm’s product range includes specialty solutions for primary and secondary packaging as well as alternatives to print-and-apply labels. More information is available at http://www.datalase.com/ or by email usainfo@datalase.com for US and info@datalase for all other inquiries.

Ferro, TherMark, CerLase Reach Accord

Ferro, TherMark, CerLase Reach Accord
On Laser Marking Technology
















From left: Phil Maitland, Ferro Glass Systems Global marketing & Business Development Manager, Arnaud Hory, Managing Director of CerLase and Paul Harrison, Chairman of TherMark LLC signed cooperative agreement in Limoges, France.

Ferro Corporation of Cleveland, USA, TherMark LLC of Los Angeles, USA and CerLase of Limoges, France have settled a long-standing dispute over the use of patented laser marking technology for ceramics, glass and metals.

In addition to settling their legal claims, the firms completed a cross-licensing agreement that allows all three parties to practice and promote laser marking technology under the applicable patents.

TherMark and Ferro had previously reached an accord with a license agreement in 2004 and this agreement includes CerLase who also hold intellectual property (IP) in laser marking technology. Several years ago all three companies developed materials and processes which enhance or enable lasers to make high-contrast permanent marks on a variety of surfaces.

The new agreement gives Ferro, TherMark and CerLase the ability to market each others products, processes and equipment, without triggering issues concerning patent infringement. Ferro will be the sole and exclusive supplier of TherMark and CerLase materials to worldwide markets, except for certain limited pre-existing licensing agreements. TherMark continues as an authorized distributor of Ferro laser marking materials.

At the signing ceremony in Limoges, Phil Maitland, Ferro Glass Systems Global Marketing & Business Development Manager said, “We believe this is great news for the laser marking industry and will enable us to help develop the market more rapidly to reach its full potential.

“With the intellectual property issues finally resolved, we can all concentrate our resources on delivering the integrated solutions that a vast range of customers are demanding for marking and decorating their products.”

Paul Harrison, Chairman of TherMark and Arnaud Hory, Managing Director of Cerlase added, “We are delighted with this cross-licensing agreement relating to our respective technologies and to have strengthened our relationship with Ferro. The industrial laser marking market has enormous untapped potential and this agreement removes any remaining uncertainties or concerns that the market may have had about dealing with any of us for risk of litigation over patent infringement.”

Laser Marking Materials Survive In Space

Ferro’s Laser Marking Materials Survive
Four Years In Space, Pass NASA’s Criteria

Part of Ferro Corporation’s Glass Systems business, CerMark Laser Marking materials have successfully survived nearly four years of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) exposure on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). CerMark supplied bar code test marks on aluminum and glass, which passed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) criteria for its Material International Space Station Experiment (MISSE).

“This is a significant achievement for CerMark’s laser marking business and Ferro Corporation as well,” said David Smith, Sales Manager, Laser Marking. “Our products have consistently produced high-quality, durable marks for years – and few products can claim space as a test market. We welcomed the opportunity and are extremely pleased with the results.”

Positioned on the lower portion of the ISS’s airlock chamber, Ferro’s marks were exposed to the experiment’s harshest conditions – receiving the maximum amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxidation. Created by radiation from the sun, atomic oxygen is found in the upper atmosphere and is extremely corrosive. The oxygen on earth is a gas formed when two oxygen atoms make up a molecule.

Siemens Symbology Research Center (SRC), NASA’s lead contractor for the MISSE marking experiments, applied various test markings to the samples, including data matrix symbols, human readable characters and line patterns. SRC applied data matrix symbols to the aluminum and glass samples using Ferro’s LMM-6000, the company’s primary laser marking material, and Ferro’s RD-6005, respectively.

NASA used four criteria, including percentage of contrast, axial uniformity, print growth and error correction, for its post-flight evaluation of each mark.

MISSE is a multi-stage experiment designed to establish part identification methods and techniques that might survive the rigors of space. With the advent of reusable space transportation vehicles and satellites, NASA needed to rethink how part identification markings are applied – because marks applied to reusable spacecraft need to survive the extreme environments encountered in space.

However laboratories can simulate just one or two space environmental factors at a time. The only way to test how different materials will perform in space is to test them in that environment.

The research from MISSE will provide the insight needed to develop materials for future spacecraft and will also help researchers make materials and coatings that will last longer on earth.

MISSE 1 and 2, which included CerMark’s marks, intended to orbit for one year while MISSE 3 and 4 would orbit for three. However the recovery effort was delayed due to the tragedy with space shuttle Columbia in 2003.

MISSE 1 and 2 were launched with space shuttle Discovery (STS-105) on August 10, 2001, and astronaut Patrick Forrester positioned them on the outside of the ISS on August 16. Astronaut Stephen Robinson retrieved both on July 30, 2005 after 1,443 days of LEO exposure. MISSE 1 and 2 returned to earth when Discovery (STS-114) landed at Edwards Air Force Base on August 10, 2005.

During this mission, the new MISSE 5 was attached to the ISS for its stay in space as well.

CerMark Laser Marking business markets high-performance laser marking materials for permanent bonded marks on myriad aircraft, automotive and industrial parts and products. When compared to other identification procedures, laser marking provides several advantages including increased durability and speed, personalized or custom marks that can also be used for part identification and serialization, precise marks and localized heating.

CerMark’s laser marking materials can be brushed, sprayed or screen-printed onto a substrate using an airbrush or high-volume low-pressure spray gun. They can also be applied with laser marking tape, which utilizes the same materials. Regardless of application, the material and substrate bond only where the laser touches to create marks in a range of colors including red, black, blue, bronze and green. The excess laser marking material is removed to reveal the mark.
Ferro Glass Systems manufactures and markets an extensive variety of glass coating products for the automotive, architectural and container glass industries. It is the worldwide leader and supplier of ceramic and lead-free enamels and conductive paste for the automotive industry and lead-free enamels for architectural spandrels. It was the first firm to introduce lead-free enamels for spandrels and encouraged US glass manufacturers to switch to these environmentally preferred enamels. Glass Systems is leading the way for the adoption of organic, heavy-metal-free inks and coatings in the glass container industry. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.ferro.com.

CerMark Introduces Improved Laser Marking Tape

CerMarkTM Laser Marking materials has introduced a new and improved LMM-6018 laser marking tape for metal. This tape produces sharper, smoother marks with better definition than our old LMM-6018 tape. The marks are also blacker when used at the same power settings that the old tape was used at.

The improved product is the result of CerMark’ ongoing research and development to make continuous improvements in laser marking tape. The new tape is currently being offered to all current CerMark tape customers. We are always trying to improve the markings while at the same time, reducing the laser power needed for this product.

Like the spray, brush or screen-printed applications of the CerMark metal marking materials, the tape creates a durable, high contrast black marking that is highly resistant to acids, bases, solvents and chemicals. Regardless of the application, the marking tape and substrate bond only where the laser touches. The excess laser marking tape material is peeled off and removed to reveal the mark.

For more information, contact Dave Smith at smithde@ferro.com, or (724) 250-5503. To place an order call Wanda McDowell in customer service at 800-245-4951, extension 5167.

Laser Markable Paints

A new option exists for marking on painted surfaces without compromising the integrity of the paint. Painting an object generally serves two purposes. The paint obviously acts in a decorative fashion, but it can also be on an object to protect it from weathering. Direct laser marking on paint can often damage the integrity of the paint layer, which will detract from its ability to protect.

CerMark now offers laser markable paint that can be marked using very low powers, which allows marking without damage to the paint layer. The paint come in an aerosol for for easy application. Machine readable marks can be made on a 45 watt CO2 using less than 10% power at 100% writing speed. (see photo at right) This allows a person to mark a painted item without damaging the paint.

For more information about this product, please contact smithde@ferro.com or weirs@ferro.com.

Mr. Science

CerMark's Upcoming Events

We will be visiting a few more tradeshows and events this year. Some are awards and engraving related, others pertain more to marking for identification or serialization. If you have the opportunity, you might want to visit some of these events as well. I have listed them below:

USCG 2-D Bar Coding Symposium
U.S. Coast Guard ARSC
Elizabeth City, NC
June 8th
(Dave and I will be exhibiting)
Registration is available online at:
http://www.wliinc2.com/cgi/foxweb.dll/wlx/cal/wlxprofile?caleid=190&cc=ECACC

IMAI Awards Show
Long Beach, CA
July 20th, 21st
(Dave will be attending)
http://www.marking-id.org/

IMTS
Chicago IL.
Sept 6th to 13th.
(Dave and Dennis will be attending, TherMark exhibiting)
http://www.imts.com

UID Forum
Dallas, TX
Sept. 12th, 13th
(probably not attending)
http://www.uidforum.com/

ALAC
Detroit, MI
Sept. 18th to 21st
(we may attend)
www.alac-iluc.org

EuroTrophex
Maastricht, Netherlands
October 14th - 16th
(we want to exhibit)
http://82.112.120.133/eurotrophex/

GlassTec
Dusseldorf, Germany
Oct. 24th to 28th
(Ferro exhibiting, we will attend)
http://www.glasstec-online.com/



If you want to go to any of these shows, let Dave know at smithde@ferro.com and he can help you get registered.

Sean

New LMM-6000 Cans - Part Three!

We have a new batch of cans in stock now, and we think we've addressed all of the previous issues with the old cans. These cans have a new and improved valving system in them, so the problems with leaking around the nozzle should be eliminated. If you have an old can you can still use it, but you may need to take some of the steps outlined in my previous post of January 30th. Again, the material's performance is unchanged. This can will still provide the same dark, black, high contrast mark as before because the active ingredients are still the same.

Sean

To order a new can, please call Wanda at
(800) 245-4951, ext. 5167