kwikmark FAQs

 Q: How does the marking process work?

A: The kwikmark operates as an industrial plotter that utilizes a solid carbide marking pin, oscillating hundreds of times per second. Unlike stamps, dies and punches, this process allows full programmability to mark any size alphanumeric characters and text as defined by the program. top     home

A: Virtually any material from hardened tool steels to soft plastics and even glass may be accurately and dependably marked. An onboard regulator and gage control the force of the marking pin. This also means that whichever material you are marking, you are able to easily change the depth of the image with a simple adjustment.    top    home

A: Because the high speed pin transfers virtually no sideward forces there are minimal side loads on your part. In most cases a vacuum chuck, magnetic plate or light spring-loaded mechanism is adequate in capturing the part during the marking process.     top    home

A: Depending on the frequency of use, this head is extremely reliable because it only has one moving part. In operation the system functions much like a sub-miniature jackhammer.     top    home

A: This depends on the duty cycle and the hardness of the material that is being marked. The marking pin is intentionally supplied longer than required, giving the customer over 0.250" of resharpenable length. Many customers use these system for years without resharpening if marking aluminum, plastic and softer materials.     top    home

A: No. The unique and patented drive system operates with no leadscrews or timing belts for extremely fast performance and requires no external lubrication or maintenance.     top    home

A: The kwikmark is by far the fastest impact/dot peen marker available today. This is a direct result of the patented low-mass drive which results in high speeds and extremely high acceleration rates allowing marking speeds at over 15 characters per second!    top     home

A: No. The kwikmark is self-contained with an embedded controller and requires no external PC for operation or programming. An optional Widows software suite package is available for editing and setting up new jobs, graphically displaying images including logos, graphics, etc.     top    home

A: The kwikmark was designed to be the easiest to use system with the most powerful software. We even included an ExpressText function which allows you to turn on the machine, press F1 on the keyboard and simply type in the text you wish to mark. Then by pressing the start button or depressing the foot pedal the marking cycle begins. It really is that easy.    top     home

A: The learning curve is relatively short. A 12-key touchpad and a convenient 4-line display prompts the user through all steps of operation and alerts the operator of machine status throughout the entire cycle. A very thorough and comprehensive manual with many examples and graphic images is included with each machine.    top    home

A: The kwikmark has a large solid-state compact flash memory module. You may store thousands of files in the unit. Additionally, the optional Windows Software Suite allows you to download all of these files into the hard drive of your PC for backup protection and even greater file storage.    top    home

A: Yes. The kwikmark supports multi-level serial numbering in each file. This means component serial numbers, corporate serial numbers, etc. may all be tracked within the same file. Additionally you may mark hundreds of combinations of date/time codes and combine these with text and graphics.    top    home

A: Yes. You can mark any alpha-numeric text including combining serial numbers and date codes as straight text, angular text and also arc text. In addition to this when using the optional KwikTurn Rotary Attachment these images may be marked around the diameter of a cylindrical shaft or part.    top     home

A: Yes. The software has a step and repeat feature for doing multiple parts in a matrix of rows and columns. This mode supports all variable text including serializing and date coding.    top    home

A: Besides whatever fixturing you need to change, you simply select Run File and scroll through all of the files in memory using the convenient 4-line display and touchpad. The last file run will be displayed first, even after power off conditions. As a convenience a History function is included with the machine that shows the last 100 jobs run including their date, time, batch counter and cycle time!    top    home

A: Besides the advanced motion control features including look-ahead technology and vector velocity control, the kwikmark allows you to pause the marking cycle at any part of the cycle and even jog the head away from the image and then allows you to resume the job from where the marking left off automatically. During the marking cycle the 4-line display keeps you informed of the complete machine status including batch counter, percentage of completion, count down timer, the job being run and the X/Y position of the machine.    top     home

Optional Software Suite

A: There are many advantages, most of them relating to the familiar and powerful Windows operating system which allows the operator to view the image graphically, manipulate the text, change any properties of any line in any file.    top    home

A: You will not have to do any fussy measurements or layout work. Instead the scan to layout feature will allow you to directly import an image of your nametag and use it as a template to place your text over in the Windows program. The image size is definable so that your scanned image is perfectly to scale regardless of the size/resolution it was scanned at. In addition to this a contrast control will provide adjustment to set the image lighter or darker resulting in the best contrast when laying out your text!     top    home

A: Yes. The path may be controlled two ways. There are pre and post-job commands entered as standard G-Code to turn outputs on/off or move the head to a defined position before and after the marking cycle. Additionally the Move command may be used which is defined like any other line type with an X and Y origin position. These commands may be graphically displayed on the screen and easily modified with a few mouse clicks. In addition to this the tool path may be enabled on the viewing screen to show the path going to the start position including all marking and "pen up" moves and the return to origin move. When setting up these auxiliary moves it is convenient to import a scanned image or a CAD drawing of the part which contains all of the obstructions or even a digital photo can be used as the background when laying out the text and move commands.     top    home

A: It can’t be any simpler. Any of the numeric property values such as arc text, radius, angle values, text heights, etc. can be manually input via keyboard or jogged in controlled increments using F1 through F5 function keys. This allows the user to increment in values from 10" to 0.001". Additionally the selected line or object may be repositioned by moving the mouse to a desired location and performing one mouse click.    top    home