Hi Gary,

<you wrote>
> 3). Real hard problem -
>      Our main product is rails for the railway, each rail has its own id
(like a serial
>      number but more complex), and traceability of each rail through the
plant is
>      very important. What we would like to do is attach a barcode to the
rail as the
>      rail id is stamped into the rail. This would allow us to use
automated scanning
>      of rails through the mill. The problem is the temperature of the
rail at
>      stamping time is 1700 degrees (red hot). Anybody have an idea on how
to
>      apply a tag. You cannot make any marks on the rail (considered a
defect) and
>      you cannot rivet to the rail (creates a possible stress point).
>

I was the I.S. Director in a foundry (machine tool stuff) and we were faced
with a similar problem. After many trials and errors trying to work out a
barcode label that would stay attached we finally hit upon the solution by
casting the I.D. number as a (3 of 9) bar-code right into the part. An
"out-of-the-way" flat spot would have the code shown as a set of raised
vertical lines, some wide, some narrow. When a surface grinder was run over
these raised lines, the lines became shiney against the duller background
and that was enough color difference for the bar-code scanner to read the
code. It was crude but effective... and permanent.
Stamping the bar-code in will be no more intrusive to the material than the
current method of stamping in the I.D. number and they could by done at the
same time since you're changing the die-stamp anyway.
A bonus: we found that even if someone completely ground the bar-code away
you could recover the image by applying a torch to the area. When the metal
heated up the vertical stripes re-appeared as a different color from the
surrounding area.
Neat, huh?

Anyway, if you want more info give me a call or e-mail me privately.

Steve

Steve Weisbrod
Beechglen Development, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio
(513) 922-0509
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