Abstract: A marking device with a reciprocating needle. The needle is attached to an armature which reciprocates in a slot in a housing by a crank which is rotated by a motor in the housing. Vibration of the motor and tolerances between the armature and track cause unwanted movements of the needle in a plane perpendicular to the reciprocating motion. Guide bars and bushings connect the armature to the track. Tolerances between the guide bars and bushings are less than tolerances between the armature and track. An armature bracket is detachably connected to the housing in order to partially or fully close off an open end of the track after the armature has been inserted into the track. Guide bars and bushings then connect the armature and the armature bracket. The motor is supported on only one end by bolts extending from a mounting wall inside the housing. A damping plate is positioned between the motor and the mounting wall, and a damping ring is positioned between, and contacts, the damping ring and the housing.

Abstract: An identification device including a device body, a drive unit housed in the device body, a sliding dovetail shaped armature with a horizontal slot, a needle bar which is inserted into the armature and is secured by means of a spring loaded ball and screw. The armature moves in a vertical direction by means of its connection with a circular rotor attached to the drive unit. The rotor has at its rear end an offset pin which engages the horizontal slot located at the upper front portion of the armature, wherein the rotational movement of the circular rotor is translated into vertical motion of the sliding dovetail armature which assures that therre will be no horizontal displacement of the needle bar and thus achieving precise columnation of the needle bar and therefore precise application of the identification ink.