Hull Ident # - mirror labeling for GRP hulls?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by User_U, May 21, 2006.

  1. User_U
    Joined: Jan 2002
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    Location: Hamburg, Berlin, Germany

    User_U Junior Member

    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!
     
  2. marshmat
    Joined: Apr 2005
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    marshmat Senior Member

    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?
     
  3. Russ
    Joined: May 2006
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    Russ 60 year plastics veteran

    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
     
  4. marshmat
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    marshmat Senior Member

    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.
     
  5. User_U
    Joined: Jan 2002
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    User_U Junior Member

    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 ;)
     
  6. User_U
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    User_U Junior Member

    Hm, guess it gonna be difficult to find it :rolleyes:
     
  7. Raggi_Thor
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    Location: Trondheim, NORWAY

    Raggi_Thor Nav.arch/Designer/Builder

    Btw, it's no called CIN, Craft Identification Number :)
     
  8. User_U
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    User_U Junior Member

    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 :(
     
  9. Raggi_Thor
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    Location: Trondheim, NORWAY

    Raggi_Thor Nav.arch/Designer/Builder

    Maybe you should ask some "sign maker" or similar in your neighbourhood. They often have 3D cnc capabilities.
     
  10. User_U
    Joined: Jan 2002
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    User_U Junior Member

    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 ;)
     
  11. Raggi_Thor
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    Location: Trondheim, NORWAY

    Raggi_Thor Nav.arch/Designer/Builder

    OK, now I see :)
    Sorry I cant help...
     
  12. Robert Gainer
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    Robert Gainer Designer/Builder

    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
     
  13. User_U
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    User_U Junior Member

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


  15. Robert Gainer
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    Robert Gainer Designer/Builder

    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
     
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