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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Product tagging method that will survive zinc plating

Would anyone know of a method of tagging or identifying steel products (metal furniture items and one off wrought iron works) that go through a zinc plate process and then through powdercoating. we preferably would like to place a tag on the product after fabrication that will identify with a job reference number and also the colour for powdercoating applicator to sort by. If the tags can be reused that would be a bonus. We currently have to measure each item and compare dimensions to a printout list to then tag for powdercoating. The cardboard tags have to be removed before the item goes onto the powdercoat line and then once again have to be measured after powdercoating to be identified. The tag would have to be capable of going through the zinc plate pickling process as well as the powdercoat oven.

John Bransby
- Sydney,NSW Australia
1998

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Our conveyor load bars ( or pendants) are numbered and protected from the process except heat. Use high temperature paint [affil links] and stencil your numbers. Parts are loaded onto the line and recorded with load bar number, description, part number, quantity, powder and time. This provides a production record when un-racking but also provides process information which correlates to our washer and powder booth documentation and equipment utilization. We process various parts, assemblies and colors throughout each shift. It works very well and puts you in control of your process.

Rich Pounds
- Sugar Land, Texas
1998

thanks for the ideas. we are currently testing 0.1mm thick copper sheet tags that can be written on with a medium point ball point pen. we just fold them over in half so the powder doesn't fill in the indentation, then unfold after powdercoat.

John Bransby
- Sydney, Australia
1998

Do these tags have the capability of having the information that is written on them changed quickly and easily? Where would I be able to purchase these copper tags to see if they will work for our plating and powder coating process?

Jessica Collins
- Sanford, North Carolina, US
2003