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How to decide on the marking method
Many of you are probably wondering whether to mark wiring in-house or outsource it. The optimal method varies depending on the quantity, type, and frequency of printing. This article introduces the options for each case, from small quantities to mass production, along with printing equipment compatible with our tubes.
Conclusion
If you don't need to print every day, we recommend utilizing an external printing service. You can decide whether to do it in-house or outsource based on the number, type, and frequency of prints.
For Small Quantity Marking
These are options for when printing frequency is low, with only 2-3 types and fewer than 10 pieces of each.
① Write on marker tubes with a felt-tip pen
Merits- No unnecessary inventory; necessary characters can be created on-site immediately.
- Difficult to ensure visibility and time-consuming.
② Attach labels printed with a TEPRA (label printer) or similar device
Merits- No unnecessary inventory; necessary characters can be created on-site immediately.
- Time-consuming
- Risk of loss due to peeling
③ Purchase pre-printed marker tubes
Merits- High visibility, leading to reduced work time
- Inventory risk from purchasing unnecessary characters, or wasted disposal
④ Purchase specified characters using a printing service
Merits- High visibility, reducing work time
- Incurs costs
- Time-consuming to consolidate work instructions
For Mass Production Marking
These are options for when continuous printing is required and multiple types of print content are anticipated.
① In-house printing with a portable printer
Merits- Equipment is inexpensive to purchase, high cost-effectiveness through in-house production
- May lack complex features and not suitable for mass production
② Utilize a printing service
Merits- Reduces work time
- Can specify characters, cut condition, and packaging method
- No need for tube inventory
- Incurs costs
- Not suitable for urgent orders or small-lot production
③ Introduce a desktop printer that can connect to a PC and bring production in-house
Merits- Can shorten lead times and reduce production costs
- Easier to respond to urgent orders
- Incurs equipment introduction costs
- Requires training and employment of operators
Summary
For mass production involving tens of thousands of units, many companies tend to handle it in-house. While in-house production is fine if continuity is expected, caution is needed when processing wiring for industries with fluctuating demand. Bringing printing in-house by introducing printing machines involves many factors that can increase costs, such as machine management and operator training.
The question that arises here is, "In what cases should a printing service be utilized?"
Cases for utilizing a printing service
① Utilize as a buffer for demand
When customer demand fluctuates greatly, outsourcing can still be utilized even with in-house facilities. For mass-produced items with identical text, or conversely, for high-mix low-volume production, outsourcing can cover parts that cannot be handled in-house. Once drawings and print content are shared, only the serial number needs to be specified for each order, functioning as a buffer against decreasing demand. Even for annual orders, drawings are managed as data, so there are no management costs.
② Utilize only for special tubes or printing
Depending on the type of tube, various challenges can arise, such as stiffness, crease habits, difficulty in thermal transfer printing, or diameters not compatible with general printing machines. For colored tubes, the color of the carbon tape also needs to be changed. In such cases, utilizing outsourcing eliminates the need for material inventory and resolves yield loss from in-house printing.
③ Utilize for cost reduction in mass production projects
There is still room for cost reduction even when printing large quantities of fixed content. If you have machinery that has completed depreciation, we recommend getting a quote for outsourcing once and analyzing the cost-effectiveness. Cost reduction is also possible by downsizing the in-house production to a portable printer.
We offer comprehensive proposals for printing, covering everything from tube selection to printing equipment and the printing process itself.
Introduction to Printing Equipment Compatible with Our Tubes
The following equipment is compatible with printing on our marker tubes and mark tubes. Please use this as a reference when considering bringing production in-house.
Canon · Canon Marketing Japan
Cable ID Printer MK5000 / MK3000
- TypePortable, on-site compatible
- Printing SpeedMK5000: 55 tubes/min, MK3000: 35 tubes/min
- Compatible Tube Diameterφ1.5〜φ10mm (PVC・Heat Shrink)
- Power SupplyAC power and rechargeable battery (eneloop) compatible
- FeaturesBluetooth compatible (MK5000), PC distributed printing, English/Japanese switching, compatible with tube warmers for cold regions
CTK · CTK Co., Ltd.
Hot Marker SPX01 Series (SPX01S / SPX01H)
- TypeDesktop, for high-speed mass production
- Printing MethodThermal transfer printing
- Compatible Tube Outer DiameterSPX01S: φ2.0〜22.0mm, SPX01H: φ2.0〜28.0mm
- Compatible MediaTubes, marker labels, marker plates (terminal designation plates)
- FeaturesCSV data import, CAD data linkage, 10% faster printing speed (compared to conventional models), English/Japanese compatible
※Printing may not be possible depending on the combination of commercially available equipment and tubes. We recommend checking the operation beforehand. Please feel free to contact us regarding printing compatibility.
Contact Us for Printing Services and Tube Selection
We provide comprehensive proposals from tube selection to printing methods.
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