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

Engraving Etc. Website

I met Harvey Lentchner out in Las Vegas at the ARA show and he told me about his website, Engraving Etc. This site is an online resource for the awards and engraving industry. It offers discussion forums on all types of topics related to the industry including tools and equipment, industry news, software, glass etching and sandblasting, dye sub and imaging, FAQ's, and engraving tips and tricks. It also has an advertising section where you can place an ad. I did a keyword search and found that there were almost 500 posts on the site that had "CerMark" in them. Wow! I think the site is a great resource, if you are interested it is located at www.engravingetc.org

Mr. Science

ARA Show Report

We're back from the ARA Show in Las Vegas and I think it was a great success. We displayed some of our latest work and new products and generated quite a bit of interest. Many people were interested in our multi-color images that we produced with the CerMark glass and ceramic marking materials. These images were produced by taking a standard JPG image and using Paint Shop Pro to split the image into the C, M, Y, and K color separations. The separations were then used to make the marks. One of the CerMark
colors was applied and then marked using one of
the separations, then the tile was washed off. Then another color was applied, marked with a different separation, and washed off. This produces a multi-color image like the ones you can see on the tiles in the picture at the right. We also met with a company that is making some very nice multi-color images using our marking materials. Atomic Art Images is producing some very good images that you can take a look at in their galleries at: http://www.atomicartimages.com

We have also updated all of our technical literature for 2006. If anyone would like a CD with our updated info, or if you have any questions about making multi-colored marks like those you see here, contact Dave or myself at smithde@ferro.com or weirs@ferro.com.

Mr. Science

LMM-6000 Aerosol Can - Problems with Spray Valve

The LMM-6000 Aerosol Can package has in the past been known to clog or spit during normal usage. These issues were related to the material settling in the bottom of the can. The settled material could be sucked into the nozzle and valve system of the can, as seen to the right, causing a clog. The LMM-6000 Aerosol Can has been reformulated to correct this issue, and the settling has been largely eliminated.

Some users may still experience clogging of the LMM-6000 can. Our testing has determined that this may be due to a problem with the valve used on the can. The gasket in the valve may not completely seal, causing leakage to occur. If it occurs, the leakage can be seen under the nozzle, in the metal cup, as seen at below right. The gasket problem can cause clogging and leaking of the can.

To help prevent this condition, we recommend a thorough cleaning of the nozzle and valve after each use of the can. The nozzle should be removed from the can and cleaned with warm water. The can valve should also be cleaned well with warm water to remove all traces of LMM-6000 material. Spinning the nozzle slightly while removing and inserting into the can valve will also help loosen any dried material that could cause clogging. Keeping the valve and nozzle system clean should allow continued use of the LMM-6000 Aerosol Can.




Additional Information

Questions about properties of this product, application techniques or laser settings can be directed to:

Dave Smith (724) 250-5503
Marketing Manager

Sean Weir (724) 229-5161
R&D and Technical Service

Wanda McDowell (800) 245-4951, ext. 5167
Customer Service - Orders

CerMark to Exhibit at the ARA Show in Las Vegas

Ferro Corporation will be exhibiting at the ARA Show in Las Vegas on March 2nd through March 4th, 2006. The Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) is a membership organization of 4,000 companies dedicated to increasing the professionalism of recognition specialists and advancing the awards and engraving industry. We will have an exhibit space displaying metal, glass and ceramic objects laser marked using CerMark Laser Marking Materials. Dave and I will be available during the show to answer your questions about using our products, the applications of our products, and to give you pointers on obtaining the best results with the marking materials. We will also be planning on giving a 20 minute "Quick Tip" seminar on the show floor that will demonstrate the use of our products. If you are a professional working in the awards and engraving industry, this is a show you need to attend. Hope to see you there!

Mr. Science

To learn more about the ARA, or to download the show brochure, visit www.ara.org