An apparatus for controlling the printing on wire or cable. The apparatus including a processor, a bus connected to the processor, a user input connected to the bus, a display screen connected to the user input and the bus, a first storage system connected to the bus, data stored in the first storage system and displayable on the display screen, wherein the data includes manufacturing and print information, a printer connected to the bus, wherein the printer prints the data on the wire or cable, a communication device connected to the bus, and an identification device connected to the bus, wherein identification device receives information from a user.

A method for manufacturing an insulated conductive material includes providing a continuous feed of a conductive material, a first continuous feed of insulating material above a top surface of the conductive strip, and a second continuous feed of insulating material below a bottom surface of the conductive strip. Portions of the first and second continuous feeds of insulating material are compressed against a portion of the conductive material. The portions of the first and second insulating material are cured to thereby provide a continuous feed of insulated conductive material.

An electric wire printing device 10 according to the present invention includes an inkjet head 30 injecting ink to perform printing on an electric wire 5; a transportation device 20 transporting the electric wire 5; and a drying device 40 provided downstream, in a transportation direction of the electric wire 5, with respect to the inkjet head 30, the drying device 40 blowing air toward a printed portion on the electric wire 5.

A method according to the teachings of the present disclosure may include disposing a sheath around a conductor assembly, with an outer surface of the sheath defining spaced apart crowns and valleys. An outlet of at least one ink jet print head may be positioned adjacent the sheath at an angle of 60 degrees to 120 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The method may also include using at least one ink jet print head to print marking indicia on the sheath, the marking indicia indicating at least characteristic of the electrical cable assembly.

A method according to the teachings of the present disclosure may include disposing a sheath around a conductor assembly, with an outer surface of the sheath defining spaced apart crowns and valleys. An outlet of at least one ink jet print head may be positioned adjacent the sheath at an angle of 60 degrees to 120 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The method may also include using at least one ink jet print head to print marking indicia on the sheath, the marking indicia indicating at least characteristic of the electrical cable assembly.