Manufacturers that need to make an ANSI, OSHA, NFPA, IIAR, CGA, NEC compliant marker, tag, or label have an easier way to do so using K-Sun’s new PipeMarker V8 System, according to company president Mike Kasun.
The company, which serves manufacturers from medical facilities to oil rigs, selected the upgrade features on the products which include Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP compatible software designed for use in the new PEARLabel 400iXL wide format and PEARLabel 360 middle-range size thermal transfer printers, based on meeting industry standards.
“As with any new product development process, selecting the upgrade features and meeting industry standards and regulations is always a big challenge, especially for a small company like K-Sun,” Mike Kasun, president of K-Sun Corp tells New Equipment Digest. “But fortunately, we have a large technology partner who has been providing software, firmware, and printer support since 1994.
NED: What motivated K-Sun to develop this product?
MK: K-Sun entered the safety sign and pipe marking identification business in 1997 when it purchased Maxi-Soft Inc. K-Sun began as an innovator in designing application specific safety software, printers, and special media to make labels, signs, and pipe markers for plant and safety personnel in-house and on-demand at costs far less than pre-printed signs or markers from catalogs or sign companies. K-Sun-MaxiSoft became the standard for easy-to-use, compliant safety sign and pipe marker software.
Over the past 16 years, K-Sun has continued to improve on the software, printers, and supplies and has become a leader in the safety identification market. The new K-Sun PipeMarker V8 Software, K-Sun PEARLabel 400iXL thermal transfer printer, and new pipe marker supplies are the latest in a long history of new labeling product development and innovation.
NED: How is this product different from similar ones on the market today?
MK: The K-Sun PipeMarker V8 system features Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP compatible software designed for use in the new PEARLabel 400iXL wide format and PEARLabel 360 middle-range size thermal transfer printers. The new software includes 200 additional pre-designed pipe markers, 3 new categories, 10+ in. pipe diameter size capability, pattern printing for creating custom Arrow, Checkerboard, or Diagonal Stripe Tape for plants and facilities. New QR, Data Matrix, and other barcodes can now be added to any pipe marker or lockout tag. Users can import up to 100 pictographs/symbols. Additional new functions include the ability to print multi-color IIAR markers and medical gas markers. PipeMarker V8 is a simple way for any company or facility to design and make compliant and custom pipe markers on demand.
NED: How long did it take from conception to ultimate production?
MK: It took 24 months from the start to the launch date.
NED: What effect did cost factors have in changing the final design of the product?
MK: Cost factors are always a big concern. But quality is the most important requirement behind K-Sun software, printers, and supplies. Our philosophy is that we cannot tolerate product problems in the field. We design products and test them through our technology partner with the intent of being able to offer a minimum of 3-year and beyond full product warranties. If we have any product failures in the field for any reason, we will instantly replace the product so our customers do not experience any downtime.
NED: Who is your target audience and what benefits will they achieve from using this product?
MK: The primary users of the K-Sun PipeMarker V8 system will of course be any plant or facility that needs to label pipes and valves. Also any facility that wants to make safety labels and tags or to make large banner labels for identification of inventory items or to mark off safety areas with striped floor tape. K-Sun has a wide variety of end users from medical facilities to oil rigs out in the ocean using one or more K-Sun products. Power plants, chemical, food processing, HVAC, electrical wire and cable installers, and more can use this solution cost effectively. Anyone who needs to make an ANSI, OSHA, NFPA, IIAR, CGA, NEC compliant marker, tag, or label can use this solution.