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The New Heat- Shrinkable Sleeves

19 September 2008

Weidmüller offers 'TwinMark' heat-shrinkable sleeves for marking wires and cables.

The TwinMark from Weidmüller is available in two versions: a standard version and a halogen-free version. It is possible to print on both sides of both versions and both types are made from the ROHS-compliant material polyolefin. The standard variant is optionally available in white or yellow; the yellow colouring of the halogen-free variant is slightly darker than the standard material. The marker type is indicated on the backing material. The standard variant is supplied in a continuous fanfold format - also in the smaller pack sizes.

The halogen-free variant - in larger pack sizes - is also supplied in roll form. The standard TwinMark variant is primarily used for control systems as well as applications in mechanical and systems engineering, with the halogen-free variant chiefly being used in transport engineering applications. Weidmüller offers two special printer systems based on thermal transfer technology to facilitate brilliantly clear-cut and permanent printing results on TwinMark markers.

TwinMark is the name given by Weidmüller to its heat-shrinkable sleeves for marking wires and cables. Capable of being printed on both sides, the HSS heat shrinkable sleeves have been designed to mark and insulate wires and cables ranging from 1.2 to 24 mm in diameter. Two variants are available: standard and halogen-free. The standard variant is available in the colours yellow and white. The continuous fanfold format is a distinguish feature of this product, which is supplied in small pack sizes. The fanfold format allows the printed markers to be refolded to a handy and compact package. The yellow-coloured halogen-free variant (to DIN VDE 0472-815) is available in roll form and is supplied in larger pack sizes. The standard variant is primarily used for control systems as well as in applications in mechanical and systems engineering; the halogen-free variant is designed to meet transport engineering requirements. Heat-shrinkable sleeves are the only media on which it is possible to print on both sides. The same or different data can be printed on the front and the back. This allows the information to be read easily from any angle.

Uncomplicated usability is a distinguishing feature of TwinMark: the sleeve is simply removed from the backing material and slipped over the wire. An adhesive strip is added left and right on the rear of the backing material to facilitate quick removal of the sleeves. The sleeves are 50 and 25 mm in length; perforations separate the 2 x 25 mm long sleeves. The best printing performance is achieved on the backing material when using a wax/resin ink ribbon: the project designation fields on the backing material allow the printed TwinMark sleeves to be precisely assigned to individual projects. With this purpose in mind, the project designation field has been generously dimensioned to ensure you are able to include all necessary details such as the project number, installation location and system.

The flexible heat-shrinkable material makes it possible to achieve a secure and 'glove-like' fit on the wire; this formidable feature is particularly space-saving. Shrink sleeves are one of the few types of markers that are suitable for extremely confined spaces, such as in the housings of heavy duty connectors. The shrink rate for the standard variant is 3:1 and 2:1 for the halogen-free version. A commercially available hot air gun is all that is required to shrink the sleeves.

The standard TwinMark variant meets specifications to VDE 5510-2, MIL-M-81531, MIL-STD-202 and MIL-DTL-23053/5C (class1) for marking electrical insulating materials. The halogen-free variant meets VDE 5510-2, MIL-M-81531 and MIL-STD-202 requirements. Both variants are self-extinguishing within 60 seconds in accordance with FED.STD-228, Method 5221.

Weidmüller has harmonised its TwinMark systems right down to the finest of details: that applies in equal measure to the markers, the printers and the corresponding software. Weidmüller offers two special printer systems for brilliantly clear-cut and permanent printing results on TwinMark markers. The printers are based on thermal transfer technology. The THM-PLUS printer is suitable for one-sided printing of both shrink sleeve types and ink ribbons. Weighing just 9 kg, this compactly constructed printer offers a printing resolution of 300 dpi and a print speed of max. 150 mm/sec. Printing of shrink sleeves is optimised by the use of special firmware. The material and ink ribbons are easy to replace. The memory card slot accepts Compact Flash type 1 cards. The printer is easy to calibrate. The HSS-2001 printer is designed to print on both sides of the shrink sleeves. Double-sided printing is performed in a single work step. This printer weighs 38 kg and offers a resolution of 300 dpi as well as a print speed of max. 127 mm/sec. Double-sided printing is possible thanks to the two independently operating print heads and the use of two ink ribbons. A winding unit is an optional accessory. The printer is designed for material in roll form with up to 10 000 sleeves. The material and the print permanence provided by both thermal transfer printers meet MIL Standard requirements.

Both printers are suitable for both TwinMark types (HSS, HSS-HF) - by utilising different ink ribbons. When purchasing one of the two printers, the user receives the software M-Print pro, a manual and a short guide at no extra cost.

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