[Rant] Keysight/Agilent uses cheap paint for label ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 03:52:34 pm
content: This is what happened to my Agilent U1242B which is only few years old (bought at 2011), never used at out door nor harsh environment.I know ... I know, its not a big deal, but for the price especially compared it's peers like Fluke etc, I was expecting it should be better than $5 DMM's label which is proven more scratch proof and won't peel off easily, right ?And ... no, its never exposed to any liquid nor solvent or any nasty chemical, only normal usage using various and "decent" test leads that have normal shrouded banana plug, no cheap test leads ever used on it.Oh .. yeah, no, I don't have sweaty fingers.Anyone experiencing the same problem ?Attached photos below.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 04:11:45 pm
content: Pretty common for a unprotected silkscreen ink to wear off. If you want it to be robust you either have to have an overcoat of a hard wearing UV cure varnish, or have a triple injection mould where you do a through part colour plastic then do the contrast colours in a different mould.To protect the remainder just paint with some UV cure clear resin, or clear nail varnish ( though the nail varnish might react with the silkscreen ink as the solvents are likely to be similar), and allow to cure/dry thoroughly before use.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 04:54:00 pm
content: I think the point is that HP is not the old HP anymore and has not been for decades.this is why so many of us buy older gear. there was some idea of 'things should last a long time!' back then. now, sadly, no one cares, not even the giants.my fluke handheld that I bought in college in the 80's still is holding up well, all the printing is there and nothing has 'rubbed off'.I can't justify the cost of agilent gear anymore when they cheap-out on stuff like this. corporate america does not care and they buy new gear every few years so they don't care about long life span on gear.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 05:16:34 pm
content: Don't worry. The screen printing on older HP equipment also comes off when cleaned with IPA!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 05:22:23 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on August 31, 2015, 03:52:34 pmActually overall look of the case suggests it was rattling in a box full of another tools. And it's quiet dirty too.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 05:48:40 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 31, 2015, 05:16:34 pmonly if it was ink printed on aluminum. the foils are fine

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 01:42:28 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on August 31, 2015, 03:52:34 pmNot quite the same model (U1252B), but I'm not experiencing this issue thus far (primarily bench use).

author: tombi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 01:50:59 am
content: Mine is ok. It too mostly lives on my bench. I accidentally scratched the screen last time it went on the road with me.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 01:56:53 am
content: Quote from: linux-works on August 31, 2015, 04:54:00 pm

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 06:44:38 pm
content: 61010 has a section on testing the durability of markings - it has to be rubbed for 1 min with whatever cleaning agents are recommended. Wording is a bit loose, but it should have highlighted that.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 07:00:43 pm
content: I've jsut looked at a pile of ex military Fluke 25s. The printing is all still perfect.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 03:51:51 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on August 31, 2015, 04:11:45 pmNo SeanB, still not an excuse, as I said, my $5 ICL7107 based DMM that is > 10 years and has been abused much worst still doesn't have this problem, the printed label is still fine like new even with lots of rough scratches around them.

author: knotlogic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 01:24:18 pm
content: I wonder if us giving it a coat of something like a Krylon sealant coat would help. Only problem is it would mean disassembling the DMM, masking off bits, etc.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 02:39:53 pm
content: If they wanted the markings to last, they'd mould/engrave them into the plastic and fill with paint.