Indenting alphanumeric characters onto uneven metal surfaces - with independently movable adjacent dies for simultaneous impact against the surface

摘要

Characters are indented onto uneven steel and non-ferrous surfaces using adjacent dies and impacted simultaneously against the surface to provide a line of identification data, e.g. in steel mills. The dies can move relative to each other in the direction of indenting to accommodate the uneven surface. Uneven surfaces, such as those caused by flame cutting and shearing, can be indented with legible marks. The dies may be operated by hammers, or alternatively, the hammers may carry the dies singly or in indexable wheels.