Hull Ident # - mirror labeling for GRP hulls?

[User_U]

Hi,

couple of weeks ago I found an advertisment in professional boat builder or european boatbuilder (or I am afraid it was somewhere else but I am too chaotic...) about a labeling machine to print HIN - numbers. They are printed mirrored and then fixed in the mould before gel coat is put into the mould. Afterwards you will get the positive HIN (hull ident code) at the boat.

Does anybody know the manufacturer's name and/or his contact details? Would be great to get them, would need it for our production...thanks a lot, greets from Germany!

[marshmat]

I haven't heard of this device, no. I don't quite get what the advantage of it would be, though- since each hull needs a unique HIN, it seems like a lot of work to print a mirrored and raised one, embed it in the mold, etc. then repeat that for each hull. Wouldn't it be easier to engrave the HIN on either the finished hull or a plaque attached to the finished hull?

[Russ]

Like you, I can't remember the name but you might consider embedding a tiny computer chip. It can be read by a scanner and can tell everything about the boat, DOM, Original equipment ETC. And nobody can grind the numbers off.
Heck even the forman can be identified.
Have fun!,,Russ

[marshmat]

Something like the smart prox-cards we're starting to see everywhere, or a dog microchip? Not bad at all- dirt cheap and they last forever. Still need an engraved HIN of course to meet import/export regs, but such a chip could be really handy- during production too, like the transponder fitted to cars on an assembly line to tell the robots what options and trim level is being installed.

[User_U]

sorry guys, but here in Europe we need the Hull Ident Number fixed at the stern off each boat according a normative standard. Ths ISO standard defines the size of characters, its position on the boat plus the meaning of the 12 + 2 numbers. According the european recreational craft directive we need to fulfil these requirements...

We already use metal plates screwed but it would be better and easier to do it this way

[User_U]

Hm, guess it gonna be difficult to find it

[Raggi_Thor]

Btw, it's no called CIN, Craft Identification Number :-)

[User_U]

Thanks ragnar, it was a good idea, did not have the CIN in mind although I know it is named as CIN or HIN. I tried to find it with 'CIN' but no chance

[Raggi_Thor]

Maybe you should ask some "sign maker" or similar in your neighbourhood. They often have 3D cnc capabilities.

[User_U]

Ragnar, you missunderstood: we already used milled plates which had been fixed at the hules. We could still do it - no problem with that but I am not happy with them

You may know that e.g. 'brother' is/was produsing the p-touch labeling devices - you could print on thin plastic stripes: years ago it was printing in the plastic, today they laser-print on thin plastic films. However I know there is one company producing a device to label bigger plastic stripes with mirrored letters. You just need to put it into the mould to receive the positive HIN/CIN in the gelcoat of your hull

[Raggi_Thor]

OK, now I see :-)
Sorry I cant help...

[Robert Gainer]

A supply house for the casting and the patternmaking trade has mirror image letters for marking molds. They also have a system using a tray with strips of letters to label a casting with information specific to that casting. Just what you want to do with the HIN information. They come in an assortment of sizes and fonts. You might try there.
Robert Gainer

[User_U]

Robert, thanks very much. I tried at google but not sure if I am right - do you have a link?

[User_U]

found them http://www.grpl.co.uk/ but the page is off, here some more information:

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...e&ct=clnk&cd=1

[Robert Gainer]

Good find, you can also try, http://www.freemansupply.com/catalog...ware_Final.pdf
you can get any size or style you want with or without holders, mirror image or not. By the way, in the pattern business they call it reverse pattern letters or core letters not mirror image letters. When you search the internet keep that in mind.
Robert Gainer