Assembly - November 2008 - (Page 49) can be sandwiched between the face stock of the label and its adhesive. Labels with embedded RFID tags are larger and more expensive than ordinary labels ($0.25 per label vs. $0.02 per label), but they also convey much more information. The process of encoding and verifying the tag takes more time than simply printing a label, but that time is made up later by eliminating the need to manually scan bar codes at assembly stations down the line. Labels can do more than just display a bar code or serial number. Labels can warn consumers of operating hazards or inform them about maintenance procedures. Labels can show that a product meets environmental, industry or consumer standards, such as UL certification or lead-free assembly. And, labels can provide branding information, like the ubiquitous “Intel Inside” sticker attached to computers. One of the fastest growing applications for labels is to help assemblers certify the integrity of their products and deal with warranty claims. For This tiny label can withstand the high temperatures and aggressive fluxes associated with lead-free electronics assembly. Photo courtesy Identco International Corp. example, labels can indicate whether a consumer has misused or abused an assembly. When one such label is removed, it leaves the word “void” in a sticky, permanent residue on the part’s surface. Other labels are designed so they’re impossible to remove in one piece. Another type of label turns color if the assembly is overheated or submerged in water. Machine Automatically Labels Wire, Cable Wiring up control cabinets and other complex electrical assemblies would be impossible without some way to identify individual wires and cables. As with other product identification applications, assemblers can choose from an assortment of technologies to get the job done. More often than not, however, the self-adhesive label is still the best option. Now, the task of printing and applying labels on wire and cable just got easier with the introduction of the SwiftMark from HellermannTyton (Milwaukee). The machine automatically prints and applies a self-laminating label to a wire in just over 4 seconds. The SwiftMark can be operated as a stand-alone semiautomatic machine, or it can be integrated into a fully automatic cutting, stripping and crimping system from Komax Corp. (Buffalo Grove, IL). “An operation that once took 15 to 30 seconds now takes less than 5 seconds,” says Todd Fries, marketing manager for quality and identification products at HellermannTyton. “A process that was once done by one or more operators on the back end of the operation can now be brought on-line, which save manufacturers $50,000 to $100,000 per year.” The label is a band of white vinyl with a clear tail. The vinyl resists chemicals and solvents, and the clear tail overwraps the white section to protect the printed information. The printable area ranges in size from 0.5 inch by 0.5 inch to 2 inches by 1.5 inches. The labels are printed by a thermal transfer printer at a resolution of 300 dots per inch. “You can print anything on the label,” says Fries. “Usually, it’s just a two- to three-digit code that tells an assembler where to plug the wire.” The machine can wrap wires ranging from 0.06 to 0.75 inch in diameter. Terminals or connectors can be attached to the wire prior to labeling, and labels can be placed as close to 0.5 inch from the end of the wire. The machine is equipped with USB, parallel port and serial connections, and label files can be stored on a removable SD card. Compared with other methods of marking wires, labeling has its niche. In hot stamping, a heated type wheel melts alphanumeric text into the insulation. Alternatively, a laser can be used to mark wire insulation treated with light-sensitive pigments. Or, an ink-jet printer can apply codes or text with a fine stream of ink. “Some insulation materials won’t accept ink, and you can’t print on braided wires,” says Fries. “Hot stamping actually melts or burns the insulation, and a lot of manufacturers don’t want that. Besides, a label is just easier to read.” For more information on the SwiftMark, call 800-822-4352 or visit www.hellermanntyton.com. www.assemblymag.com November 2008 / ASSE M B LY 49 http://www.hellermanntyton.com http://www.assemblymag.com
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