Diamond scribe stylus life expectancy

Columbia is often asked how long the diamond stylus in our programmable scribe marking systems last.  The generalized rule of thumb is approx. 5 times longer than a traditional carbide stylus used in other dot peen markers.  There is no exact answer, as the question is likable to asking how many words can I write with a #2 pencil.  Unlike carbide that wears much like a pencil lead, the diamond stylus does not degrade over time, what you will experience is a sudden failure, this can be due to the diamond breaking or the diamond being knocked out of its setting.  Shown below are pictures of a good diamond pin and a pin that has lost its’ diamond.

Top pin is new, note the sharp point of the diamond.

Failed pin on the left, new pin on the right.