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ELECTROCHEMICAL MARKING
HOW DOES IT WORK?
You make an Electromark by using a small amount of electric current, an electrolyte (saline solution), a marker with pad to hold the electrolyte and carry the current, and a stencil containing the design image.
A power unit that reduces standard 110 or 220 volts to a variable 0 to 40 volts provides the electric current. The same power unit will usually produce both alternating and direct current (AC/DC).
The electrolyte is a harmless salt solution whose pH factor is carefully controlled by chemically buffering it. Standard electrolytes are appropriate for most jobs, though we do supply many special electrolytes for custom applications.
There are three types of markers. One is the handmarker, usually used with the stencil laid on the work to be marked and a pad on the marker moistened with electrolyte. The second is the marking cartridge. One may use this with the stencil
"caps", which fit onto the marking cartridge head. Another difference between handmarkers and marking cartridges is that a cartridge has a built-in electrolyte reservoir and uses more absorbent pads. The third type is the bench marker, used for marking round parts or small parts. The bench marker, in principle, is an inverted marking cartridge. Details on each marker will follow.
We can make tooling and fixtures for marking any size or configuration of metal. Simple hand, semi-automatic, or fully automatic units are available.
The stencil consists of a thin material in which there are openings in the form of a letter, number, or designed image. The current and electrolyte then pass through these openings to transfer the image of the stencil onto the base metal, quickly and permanently.
Because the electrolytes are salt solutions, the mark or etch must be cleaned or neutralized by wiping with, or soaking in, a neutralizing solution.
Electromarking is simple and precise. It is the most economical way available to produce quality marks and designs on any bare metal.