Method and apparatus for printing on pipe

In a pipe processing system comprising a host computer, a pipe production station, a first marking station having a first labeling device, a pipe storage area, an intermediate pipe finishing station, a second marking station having a second labeling device, and each of said first and second marking stations and said intermediate station including a print engine containing a microcontroller connected to said host computer, a method of monitoring and identifying pipe comprising the steps of:

• forming pipe having predetermined dimensions in said pipe production station,
• transmitting production data identifying said pipe produced in said pipe production area to said host computer,
• transporting said pipe to said first marking station,
• transmitting production data for said pipe from said host computer to said print engine in said first marking station,
• transmitting predetermined signals from said print engine to said first labeling device causing said first labeling device to print a message on said pipe corresponding to said production data,
• transferring said pipe to said storage area,
• inputting a request for said pipe into said host computer,
• transferring said pipe to said intermediate station,
• measuring a set of performance and physical characteristics of said pipe and inputting said measurements into said print engine at said intermediate station,
• transmitting measurement data corresponding to said measurements from said intermediate station print engine to said host computer,
• transferring said pipe to said second marking station,
• transmitting identification data, including production data and measurement data for said pipe, from said host computer to said print engine in said second marking station,
• transmitting predetermined signals from said print engine in said second marking station to said second labeling device causing said second labeling device to print a message on said pipe corresponding to said identification data.

Apparatus for printing an identification marking on a pipe comprising:

• transport means for conveying said pipe along a predetermined path,
• a print station located adjacent to said transport means for printing said marking on said pipe as said pipe is conveyed along said predetermined path,
• said print station including an elongated print head and positioning means for positioning said print head relative to said pipe,
• control means for controlling actuation of said print head whereby ink is sprayed from said print head at predetermined locations along said pipe to produce said markings as said pipe is conveyed through said print station,
• said control means actuating said positioning means to rotate said print head about a rotational axis of said print head to effect changes in the height of said markings, and
• wherein said print head is positioned above said transport means, and said control means further actuates said positioning means to move said print head toward and away from said transport means and parallel to said rotational axis whereby the vertical distance between said print head and said pipe may be adjusted.