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Electronics => Manufacturing & Assembly => Topic started by: e100 on April 10, 2021, 04:38:16 pm

Title: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: e100 on April 10, 2021, 04:38:16 pm
Cutting strips from aluminum drinks cans and embossing with a ball point pen seems like the cheapest option for cables.
Not sure what to use for a polycarbonate enclosure.

Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: SilverSolder on April 11, 2021, 12:23:16 am

The stick-on letters and numbers sold for post boxes?  They are pretty durable...
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Ian.M on April 11, 2021, 12:49:40 am
Brother P-Touch label maker / label printer laminated label tapes are pretty durable if not subjected to serious abrasion.   Even their red* on white tape is good for five or more years in a temperate climate exposed coastal location.

* Many red, and orange dyes are notorious for poor UV resistance.
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Rat_Patrol on April 11, 2021, 12:54:33 am
Quote from: Ian.M on April 11, 2021, 12:49:40 am
Brother P-Touch label maker / label printer laminated label tapes are pretty durable if not subjected to serious abrasion.   Even their red* on white tape is good for five or more years in a temperate climate exposed coastal location.

* Many red, and orange dyes are notorious for poor UV resistance.

This.

We have had products in the field for over 10 years with Brother labels on them. They don't get direct sunlight, but all sorts of moisture/oil/grease, etc., as they are used on industrial engines.
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on April 16, 2021, 05:40:40 pm
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Dymo_embossing_label_maker_circa_1967.jpg)
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: SilverSolder on April 16, 2021, 06:57:31 pm
Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on April 16, 2021, 05:40:40 pm
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Dymo_embossing_label_maker_circa_1967.jpg)

Much as I love those old Dymos (had one as a kid, LOL, these are old),  the "ribbons" tend to lose their color over time when exposed to UV/rain outside.
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Alex Eisenhut on April 17, 2021, 01:30:23 am
https://www.gravotech.com/ (https://www.gravotech.com/)
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Messtechniker on April 17, 2021, 05:29:13 am
+1 for Brother P-Touch - specifically TZ 231 tape - in this application.
 :-+
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: 1276-2449-1-ND on April 17, 2021, 03:33:26 pm
I use these (https://www.amazon.ca/UltraDuty-Chemical-Industrial-Permanent-60504/dp/B01CI5ZB8A/) with a good colour laser printer and cheap vinyl cutter to make instrument nameplates. They're available pre-cut so a vinyl cutter isn't necessary (I make custom shapes.)

The "paper" is laser-printable vinyl and very sticky.
Title: Re: Low cost equipment labels that survive outdoors?
Post by: Lunasix on April 26, 2021, 08:22:34 pm
I confirm Brother P-Touch (and particularly Tze-M961). I use this tape on many products outdoor and they show no degradation even after years.