Tool Crib

Kroy's line of label makers and Bird-X

Kroy Offers New Labeling Solutions

Identifying wiring and tubing runs is critical in aircraft maintenance. All too often, components are "permanently" labeled with some variation of masking or vinyl tape and permanent marker, creating a rat's nest. The tape or marking invariably breaks or wears off, leaving the maintenance technician with the problem of identifying the unmarked component.

Kroy offers three new label printers to enhance your component identification process. The Kroy K5100 is a handheld, portable printer, ready to print wherever you are. The K4100 Desktop model is modest-sized and is capable of printing stand-alone or connected to your PC. The K3000-PC label printer carries a small footprint and prints from your computer.

All three Kroy models print directly on a variety of media. Wires may be identified with self-laminating wire wraps. Polyolefin shrink tubing is available in sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Continuous industrial labeling and component and terminal block die cut labels are also available. Label stock comes in black, white, and colors. Printing is crisp and engineered durably for a working environment.

The Kroy K4100 Desktop Industrial Label Printer that I tested arrived with the manual, a Quickstart guide, a CD-ROM containing the Kroy Label Design Software, the AC adapter, a serial cable for connecting to a computer, and a complement of label cartridges. The start up process is short, but do take a moment to read the "Getting Started" section in the owner's manual. The cartridges are easy to install, but the correct procedure (insert and lock into place) must be followed.

It took a grand total of eight minutes to print out my first label (and only that long because I bypassed reading the cartridge installation procedure). Appendix A in the manual outlines a very simple method to clean the print head and rollers. Once I'd done that (another minute or two), the results given by the K4100 were excellent. Clean, crisp lettering printed out that is light years ahead of the old tape and marker method. Shortly I was printing multi-line text labels that auto sized themselves.

The next step I wanted to try was hooking the K4100 up to my laptop. The Kroy owner's manual stated that it was capable of printing graphics at 300 dpi and bar coding. I figured if I could produce labels with a graphic layout, the machine would pass my test. I installed the CD-ROM, and the installation software took care of all of the rest. (FYI: Windows XP is installed on my laptop). From the "Label" drop-down menu, you choose the "Label Setup" option and then choose the printer you are using (in this case, the K4100). A pop-up window will prompt you to define the type and size of cartridge you have installed in the label printer. Once this is configured, you're ready to create labels.

The Label Designer software is easily manipulated via the drop-down menus or toolbars. Graphics or bar codes may be added. Downloadable fonts may be installed. Everything may be precisely laid out with the aid of rulers in the label layout area. Labels may be laid out in landscape or portrait orientation, and text may be formatted horizontally or vertically.

Again, in a short period I was able to print out labels that had a clean and crisp image. The Kroy line of label printers and accessories will be a definite enhancement to your component identification process.

Kroy LLC, 216-426-5600, www.kroy.com — By Don Ellerbusch

Bird-X Improves Steel Spikes

Bird-X has added stabilizers to its Stainless SPIKES Needle Strips to make the product easier to install. The stabilizers are mounted every eight inches and help keep the strips balanced during installation. Strips have holes every inch so they can be mounted with nails, screws, glue, or wire ties. Spikes are mounted into the plastic base, which is flexible so it can be installed on curved surfaces. The strips come in extra-wide eight-inch spread and slim two-inch spread and can be made in custom colors. Phone: 312-226-2473, www.bird-x.com.