Jack E Andrews

50497219, Sep 17, 1991

Jun 20, 1990

7/541190

Stanley J. Parnas - Yorba Linda CA
Leroy V. Sutter - Irvine CA
Randy C. Horne - Costa Mesa CA
Robert A. Wessels - Chamblee GA
Celestino Rey - Atlanta GA
Jack E. Andrews - Stone Mountain GA

American Telephone and Telegraph Company - New York NY
Directed Energy, Inc. - Irvine CA

B23K 2600

21912168

A laser marking apparatus provides markings of enhanced readability in an outer jacket of repetitively spaced sections along the length of a moving cable which is delivered from a supply source. The cable is advanced under tension and is wound onto a take-up spool. The outer jacket is of a specified color and has an outer surface. The laser marking apparatus includes a first guide roller, a laser marker, an applicator, a coarse brush roller with a first driving mechanism, a fine brush roller with a second driving mechanism and a second guide roller. The first and second guide rollers are disposed adjacent to the supply source before the laser marker and before the take-up spool after the fine brush roller, respectively, in order to guide the cable along a path of travel so that the outer jacket passes adjacent to the laser marker. The laser marker inscribes in the outer jacket markings opening to the outer surface thereof. The applicator applies a wax, the color of which is different from and contrasts with the specified color of the outer jacket, on the outer surface of the outer jacket and in the markings.