Industry News
Stop by weekly to catch up on the latest news about products and people in the marking industry.
News for January 6, 2009
John K. Barker Jr., Joins Johnson Plastics
Johnson Plastics is pleased to announce the addition of John K. Barker Jr. to its sublimation sales team as a sublimation specialist. The former program manager for Sawgrass Technologies' Project Sublimation educational workshop series, Barker brings four years of comprehensive sublimation knowledge to Johnson Plastics' sublimation sales division.
Well-known throughout the industry, Barker spent the last four years managing end-customer desktop sublimation training as the head of Project Sublimation, spending as many as 32 weeks a year on the road delivering workshops, seminars and trade show training sessions across the United States, Canada and Europe, many in conjunction with Johnson Plastics.
"John's talents as an experienced seminar speaker on the subject of sublimation and his knowledge of the industry will make him a great addition to our team of sublimation specialists who work directly with our valued sublimation customers," says Tom Johnson, Johnson Plastics president.
For more information, contact Johnson Plastics, 9240 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55420-3604; 612/888-9507, 800/869-7800; Fax: 612/888-4997; E-mail: johnb@johnsonplastics.com; Web: www.johnsonplastics.com
One-Piece Pocket Stamp
Millennium Marking Co. introduces the New MaxLight™ Pocket Stamp: a one-piece pocket stamp with no parts to lose! The new line features:
- A flip cover that becomes the stamp handle
- Rubber finger grips for stamping comfort
- Fully maximized message area with no trim ring
- Eleven ink colors to choose from
- Can be re-inked indefinitely
The XL40 has a 5/8-inch x 2 1/16-inch impression area, and the XL42 has a 1-inch x 2 1/4-inch area to work with. Both sizes are in stock and available for immediate orders.
For more information, contact Millennium Marking Co., 800/453-5362, 847/462-6503; Fax: 847/806-1820; E-mail: sales@millmarking.com; Web: www.millmarking.com
New Gravograph Catalogs
Gravograph introduces its new Materials, Engravables and Laserable Wood catalogs, offering an extensive range of engraving materials, machines, software, accessories and supplies. The company also offers a full line of engraveable wood products as well as an array of other engraveable gift items. Visit the Gravograph website to download and view a PDF version of all three catalogs or contact the customer service department for a complimentary catalog.
For more information contact Gravograph, 2200 Northmont Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096; Customer Support: 800/843-7637; Web: www.gravograph.com
ClassiX® Self-Inker Line Now Available at United Marking
United Marking Inc. announces the arrival of the new ClassiX® Self-Inker line by Shachihata. Stamps in this line feature an easy slide-out ink cartridge with safety catch and quality engineering for quieter, smoother stamping. Alignment marks and a see-through base ensure precise placement of the imprinted message—improvements designed for the end-user. ClassiX Self-Inkers lie flat for easy assembly, and the notched lens cover is easy to remove, snapping securely back into place—improvements designed for the stamp manufacturer.
The ClassiX Self-Inker line is available in seven sizes:
- P05 (5/16-inch x 2 3/4-inches)
- P11 (1/2-inch x 1 1/2-inches)
- P12 (5/8-inch x 2 5/16-inches)
- P13 (15/16-inch x 2 7/16-inches)
- P14 (1 7/16-inch x 2 15/16-inches)
- P15 (9/16-inch Diameter Round)
- P16 (1 9/16-inches Diameter Round)
United Marking is the exclusive U.S.-licensed distributor of the ClassiX Self-Inker line with current stocking in United's Chicago and Los Angeles warehouses. ClassiX will be available from United's Tampa warehouse in January 2009.
For more information, contact United Marking Inc., 2255 Lois Dr., Unit 4, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008; 866/447-8267, 847/364-4435; Fax: 847/364-4436; E-mail: sales@unitedmarking.com; Web: www.unitedmarking.com
New from Reiner
Reiner presents the Jetstamp MP series with quick-drying ink, available in three models: 790, 791 and 792.
These units have been redesigned to accept a quick-drying alcohol based ink cartridge. It is perfect for imprinting on most plastics, metals, foils and glass. If you have customers who need to mark parts, bottles or special materials with codes, numbers or expiration dates, these new products will fit the bill. They are great for your customers in the packaging industry.
For more information, please contact AMI, 605 N. Macquesten Pkwy., Mt. Vernon, NY 10552; 800/235-0060; Fax: 914/664-1550; E-mail: jeff@automatedmarking.com
Xenetech Receives Another Patent Approval
Xenetech has secured another patent approval from the United States Patent Office for its XLT laser engraving system. Xenetech was previously issued a patent for its auto focus technology, contained in the XLT series, in 2006. The new patent approval covers Xenetech's XLT complete motion system, air assist, and the touch screen keypad. Xenetech will now have protection of this important technology.
Xenetech's XLT series laser motion system enables the laser to provide high quality engraving at industry leading speeds of up to 150 inches per second. In addition, the over travel of the x-axis is very small, further reducing engraving time. The XLT motion system design incorporates polymer bearings riding along hard-coated anodized rails. The bearings are designed to "sweep" debris from the rails as they ride along, providing an even, fluid motion. A servo motor drives the beam delivery carriage via a belt, but the real secret to the system's accuracy at such high speeds of travel is the use of two encoders. These encoders, located on the left and right sides of the x-axis bridge, work together to adjust the belt and ensure top quality engraving. Xenetech has so much confidence in its motion system, it provides a lifetime warranty for the motion system bearings.
The patent also protects Xenetech's touchscreen keypad technology, which allows for complete control of the Xenetech laser—selecting auto focus points, adjusting speed and power on the fly, providing pan and zoom display of the job prior to engraving, resizing the engraving area from the table and much more.
The air assist design covered under the patent approval consists of a hollowed steel rod with a series of directional holes. The rod runs parallel to the x-axis and floods the entire work area with air while engraving and cutting. Because the rod is not attached to the beam delivery carriage, there are no tubes trailing that may impact the quality of engraving especially at high speeds.
For more information, contact Xenetech Global Inc., 12139 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70817; 225/752-0225; Fax: 225/752-1321, 800/XENETECH; E-mail: sales@xenetech.com; Web: www.xenetech.com
New Printer Line
Shiny USA LLC is pleased to announce the availability of the Shiny New Printer self-inking stamp line, offering a combination of plastic self-inkers, daters, numberers and word stamps. Satisfy all of your customers' office and home stamping needs with 24 sizes plus 16 dater sizes.
The new printer line, manufactured to last, is designed for comfort and engineered for smooth, quiet action. Each self-inker has a clear bottom for precise stamping and inked red/blue pads are available for most sizes.
For more information, call Tim or Lenore at Shiny USA LLC, 866/856-3782; Web: www.shinyusa.com
Xenetech Introduces Laser "Point and Engrave"
Xenetech has developed a way to set the desired engraving area from the laser engraving table with the new "Point and Engrave" feature. The boundaries of this area are instantly communicated back to the engraving application software, which automatically resizes and redraws the plate on the computer screen. Upon output, the plate contents are engraved in the exact area previously selected on the laser engraving table.
This new feature is a free update for XLT and XLE Xenetech laser owners and is available on the Xenetech website at www.xenetech.com. Users should download and install the latest Viper Communication Suite (VCS) and XGW-32 software.
"Point and Engrave" will allow users to eliminate the time it takes to measure and mathematically determine the location of the engraving. Users will significantly reduce dry runs and engraving location errors by easily placing the engraving in the desired location on plaques, panels, serial number tags, gift items, signs and the like. By jogging the laser diode pointer to set two or four corner points of the desired engraving area, the area is instantly ready to engrave. In addition, a new "bounding box" feature is included which traces the outside of the engraving area with the diode pointer prior to engraving, if desired.
"Engravers with rotary systems have been using these features in the jewelry and gift industry with great success for years," states John Lundberg, vice president of research and development for Xenetech. "There are tremendous cost and time savings opportunities for laser owners in using Point and Engrave. We're happy to be the first to bring this to the laser engraving industry. This will open new opportunities, reduce operator costs, and significantly increase the ease of use of the laser engraver," continues Lundberg.
For more information, contact Xenetech Global Inc., 12139 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70817; 225/752-0225; Fax: 225/752-1321, 800/XENETECH; E-mail: sales@xenetech.com; Web: www.xenetech.com
Polychem Poly Spray Jet ST-21®
Polychem Poly Spray Jet ST-21 from U.S. Polychemical Corp. is a low-foaming, caustic-free, water-soluble, mildly alkaline liquid product. It is a versatile degreaser cleaner, specifically designed for cleaning substrates such as wood, synthetic, plastic, glass and metal surfaces, concrete, granite, marble, tile and other masonry surfaces. The active ingredients in Polychem Poly Spray Jet ST-21 allow the thorough removal of waxy substances, oils, pitches and polishing compounds, grease, oils, lubricants, dirt, ink and other difficult soils from a wide variety of substrates. This product may be applied by wiping, spray, pressure washer, immersion, ultrasonics and steam application.
Polychem Poly Spray Jet ST-21 is biodegradable and water-soluble. It replaces solvent materials like MEK, Xylene and Toluene as well as harmful caustic solutions used in this application.
For more information, contact U.S. Polychemical Corp., 584 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977; 845/356-5530, 800/431-2072; Fax: 845/356-6656; E-mail: patt@uspoly.com; Web: www.uspoly.com
New Facility Location
Newing-Hall Inc., manufacturer of advanced computerized engraving machines, is proud to announce its new facility location at 16092 King Rd., Haskins, Ohio 43525. The company has provided customers with top-of-the-line engraving machines for more than 20 years.
For more information, contact Newing-Hall Inc., 16092 King Rd., Haskins, OH 43525; 800/255-8804, 419/823-6050; Fax: 419/823-6051; E-mail: sales@newing-hall.com; Web: www.newing-hall.com