Abstract: To apply indicia to a surface of a traveling workpiece, particularly of a rapidly moving workpiece, a beam of coherent laser light is split to form two rays, one of which is deflected directly onto the surface whereas the other is indirectly guided onto the surface. The two rays form on the surface two parallel indicia which are located opposite one another but are spaced transversely of the direction of workpiece movement.

Abstract: A method for applying identification markings on surfaces of moving panels and strips, preferably steel sheets and steel strips. The method is particularly applicable at high speeds, in which the surface of the moving panel or strip between an inspection station and an identification or marking station, is divided into zones of a length equivalent to the marking to be applied. Every individual zone between inspection station and identification or marking station is traced electronically, and the surface of each traced zone is oxidized and melted by a laser light source. Each zone is assigned a location in a shift register associated to an inspection station, and each inspection station is assigned several inspection tasks. A shift register is used for each inspection task. Information items originating from various inspection tasks are recorded in individual shift registers at locations assigned to an individual zone.