The TMC470 and TMC520 are the controller brains of any Telesis PINSTAMP or BenchMark dot peen marking system. Both controllers run Telesis Merlin software and communicate with marking heads to produce permanent alphanumeric text, logos, Data Matrix codes, and serial numbers on metal, plastic, and hard industrial surfaces.

What is the difference between the TMC470 and TMC520?

The TMC470 uses a durable membrane keypad with menu-driven text display — built for repetitive production environments where operators run the same marking patterns shift after shift. It stores up to 400 patterns locally. The TMC520 replaces the keypad with a full-color resistive touch screen that shows a WYSIWYG preview of the mark before it is made. It stores virtually unlimited patterns and adds advanced design tools — arc text, graphics import, pinch-zoom, swipe menus, and parse flags for automated date, lot, and serial number stamping. A new design can be created and marked in under one minute on the TMC520.

What communication protocols do these controllers support?

Both controllers include an Ethernet port with TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET protocol support, plus RS232/485 serial for legacy integration. This allows direct connection to PLCs, MES, and plant networks for automated marking instructions and production line synchronization. The TMC520 adds three extra USB ports for peripherals and pattern transfer.

Can the controllers operate without a PC?

Yes. Both the TMC470 and TMC520 are fully self-contained — no external computer is needed to create, store, or execute marking patterns. The Merlin software runs directly on the controller. A PC connection is only required for centralized pattern management or integration with higher-level factory systems, and even then the controller continues marking independently if the network drops.