GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Part ID verification, quality control marks under UV inspection.

Cables cleaned post-print

The maximum amount of electrical current a conductor or device can carry before sustaining immediate or progressive deterioration.

Features in CIJ printers that prevent clogging and allow quick startup.

A standardized wire gauge system used in North America to denote the diameter of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire.

Anti-counterfeit bottle codes or tamper tags.

Same as UV fluorescent—used for covert marks or inspection lines.

Identifies a specific production run for traceability or recalls.

Indicates freshness or safety threshold. Must be legibly printed on packaging.

A woven protective layer of metal or textile over a wire or cable for shielding or mechanical protectio

The voltage at which an insulating material fails and becomes conductive.

A protective layer applied to the optical fiber that is often marked with identification codes.

CIJ or TIJ printers used for round bottles and caps.

Alphanumeric codes that indicate manufacturer, product type, and lot number.

A system used to support insulated electrical cables used for power distribution and communication.

The ability of a system to store an electric charge, often between two conductors separated by an insulator.

Printed batch/date on foil or plastic blister packs.

Precisely cuts wires to a specified length.

Wire insulation color plus printed ID (e.g., PH1, PH2) for wiring systems.

A material (typically copper or aluminum) that conducts electricity.

Most common technology for printing on fiber optics due to fast speed and fine print resolution.

Inks designed for visibility on dark or light cable surfaces.

Attaches terminals, connectors, or contacts to the wire ends.

Heat or UV treatment of the insulation—may affect ink adhesion.

Ink that cures via UV and heat; used for challenging substrates or environmental resistance.

An insulating material between two conductors that increases capacitance and prevents electrical conduction

A non-insulated wire used in shielded cables to carry electrical noise to ground.

Covert traceability on PCBs, semiconductors, or wires.

The process of applying insulation or jacketing to a conductor by forcing material through a die.

The production line where wire or cable insulation is applied and marking is done.

High-Speed Lines

Non-conductive material added inside cables to maintain a round shape and provide mechanical strength.

The number of times a cable can bend before it breaks or degrades.

Integrate multiple functions in one system (cutting, stripping, crimping, etc.)

A reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured; a common return path for electric curre

Ensures traceability through clear lot/date coding.

Cable materials that do not contain halogens and emit low smoke and non-toxic gases when burned.

Ink that resists smudging or flaking, ideal for slick or treated cable surfaces.

Cable printer for PE, PVC, Teflon materials

A non-conductive material that prevents unwanted current flow and protects conductors.

The total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit, including resistance and reactance.

UV inks often preferred where conventional inks could leach (e.g., food packaging).

The outermost layer of a cable, providing mechanical protection and resistance to environmental factors.

A CIJ printer feature that monitors ink flow and ensures print quality, important for fiber lines.

The print head component that dispenses ink droplets in a CIJ system.

A unit of the cross-sectional area of a wire, often used for large conductors.

The axial length of one turn of the conductor spiral in a twisted wire or cable.

Marks wires for identification, often using inkjet or thermal transfer printing.

Use lasers to strip insulation with high precision, especially for fine or delicate wires.

001M", "002M", etc

The speed at which products move through the packaging line. Affects printer choice.

Used for traceability, recalls, and inventory control.

XYZ CABLE CO

Cables or wires that meet military specifications for performance and durability.

Components of UV-curable ink that react during curing to form a hard film.

A cable that contains more than one conductor, insulated from each other.

References

The approximate measurement of the diameter of a cable or conductor.

Inks that resist smearing or transfer onto rollers or guides.

The unit of electrical resistance.

A chemical in UV ink that starts the curing reaction when exposed to UV light.

Hidden UDI (Unique Device Identification), lot numbers, or expiry dates.

Ink that offers high opacity, commonly used on dark-colored jackets.

Cable that meets fire safety standards for use in plenum spaces (air circulation areas).

Fire-resistance ratings that may be required in printed text for compliance.

The text printed on the fiber optic cable, often including lot number, cable type, and sequential length markings.

Direct contact packaging (e.g., bottles, cans, sachets). Requires food-safe inks.

A common plastic used for insulation and jacketing of wires and cables.

The date a product was manufactured. Often required by regulators.

A cable with four conductors, commonly used in specialized applications requiring high signal integrity.

The opposition a material offers to the flow of electric current.

Coaxial cable used in telecommunications and radio-frequency applications.

Multiple optical fibers laid out in a flat ribbon – often marked for color-coding and alignment.

Cartons, shrink wraps—often coded with larger characters (e.g., barcodes)

Meter marking wire extrusion

Real-time printing of length in meters or feet along the cable.

Determines how far out the expiration date needs to be marked.

May be accompanied by coded manufacturing/expiry info.Item description

A conductive layer around a cable or wire to block electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Perform a single function (e.g., wire cutting or stripping).

The process of twisting multiple wires together to form a flexible conductor.

Removes insulation from the ends of the wire to expose the conductive core.

Not all UV inks adhere well to every surface (e.g., some plastics, metals need primers).

UV-cured inks dry instantly and resist smudging even at high speeds.

High-adhesion ink or laser applied post-labeling.

Unique identifiers for traceability, especially in global export markets.

The maximum temperature at which a cable can operate safely.

Cable types that may require different marking approaches.

Applies a coating of solder (tin) to exposed wire ends, often for better conductivity or ease of soldering.

Fast-drying ink to prevent transfer or smearing on fast-moving production lines.

Twists multi-strand wires to prevent fraying and improve conductivity.

Two conductors twisted together to cancel out electromagnetic interference.

Ink that is either invisible under normal light or cures under UV light. Can be fluorescent, invisible, or UV-curable.

Ink that solidifies (cures) instantly under UV light exposure, offering fast dry times and excellent adhesion.

Ink that is invisible under normal light but glows under UV (black light) for security or tracking.

Used for internal tracking or brand protection (invisible under normal light).

A safety certification organization that tests wire and cable products for compliance.

The maximum voltage a cable can handle safely without breakdown.

CIJ printer for cable jackets

The process of printing identification (such as codes or part numbers) onto the wire’s surface.

A piece of industrial equipment designed to automate the preparation and handling of electrical wires for manufacturing or assembly processes. These machines perform various tasks related to modifying or finishing wires, typically for use in electronics, automotive, aerospace, or electrical industries.

The capillary action that allows moisture to travel along the length of the cable between conductors or insulation.

THHN", "MTW", "CAT6", "RG6

Pigmented ink for dark cable printing

A type of insulation offering high temperature resistance and dielectric strength.

The amount of stress a wire can endure before permanently deforming.

A specific pattern of shield construction, often used in coaxial or specialty cables.