System and method for marking honeycombs and associating manufacturing data therewith

Abstract

Both a system and method for marking honeycomb structures is provided. The system includes a printing station having a print head moveable relative to a log that prints an identification mark for each structure to be cut from the log; an elevation mechanism that positions the log relative to the printing station, sensors for determining a distance between the print head and log; and a length measuring sensor. A processor is connected to the printing station, elevation mechanism, and length measuring sensor which (a) associates an identification code with the log, (b) generates a separate identification mark for each honeycomb structure to be cut from the log, (c) controls the elevation mechanism to place the log at a desired location relative to the print head of the printing station, and (d) receives length data from the length sensor. The processor then determines cut locations for the log that define the ends of the green body honeycomb structures to be cut, and directs the printing station to print one of the identification marks on a location along the length of said log corresponding to one of said structures defined between the cut locations. A method of associating the honeycomb structures with manufacturing data is also provided.