Packaging
NEW LINX LASERS MAKE AN IMPRESSION AT INTERPACK
Wednesday 07. May 2008 - The benefits of Linx Printing Technologies steered beam laser technology are on display at Interpack, with the recently launched Scribing Laser range on display alongside the best-selling high-power Linx 500SL to demonstrate how laser coding can help manufacturers meet their high speed coding, traceability and anti-counterfeiting needs.
The new Scribing Laser Range is set to provide a wide variety of industries with high quality, high speed laser coding that offers superior results and simplicity in installation, use and ownership. Comprising the new Linx SL101 and SL301 scribing lasers in addition to the existing Linx 500SL, the range offers 10W, 30W and 50W power options to allow customers to choose the system that best suits their own production line requirements from several robust IP54 or IP65 rated designs.
Installation is where the SL101 and SL301s lexibility and ease of use really adds value, as the models are built to fit the production line. Their range of lenses and beam delivery options mean they can be manoeuvred into tight, hard to reach spaces. And Linxs simple plug and play philosophy makes installation into existing set-ups easy.
Operation is equally clear, thanks to an intuitive interface, in the form of a Hand-Held Control Unit, which allows users to create, change and set up codes at the touch of a button. In addition, the LinxDraw PC software enables more complex code creation, including graphics and 2D codes.
New features include greater marking versatility thanks to the use of a variety of beam delivery options for different spot sizes, product to lens distances and mark fields. Flexible standard components, side and end shooter options, and a small footprint ensure ease of integration into existing operations, even on production lines where space is at a premium. The robust stainless steel housing is sealed with standard IP54 rating, or an optional IP65 for wet environments, ensuring excellent reliability in harsh conditions, for maximum uptime.
As well as the new models, Linx is showing the renowned Linx 500SL which, since its launch in 2005, has provided the ideal medium for coding a wide variety of materials at high speeds, and also materials that are traditionally difficult to mark, such as glass. With a peak power of 100W and a robust scribing mechanism, the Linx 500SL has the strength and precision needed to mark directly onto the product surface. Its user-friendly, intuitive software allows complex codes and messages to be easily created and printed, whilst efficiency and excellent uptime are maintained through low maintenance design and an IP65 rating.
With its combination of laser power and state-of-the-art scanning technology, the printer provides high-quality coding at speeds of up to 700m/min.
This makes it ideal for high-speed label coding in the brewing and beverage industries – applications that were previously the reserve of dot matrix and mask laser systems. Up to 90,000 labels can be coded per hour.
Due to its high power the Linx 500SL can also offer provide traceability and brand protection to a wide range of industries using harder to mark materials, including glass manufacturers and fillers. New EU regulations which came into force in October 2006 mean that full traceability is now required for all materials and articles that come into contact with food (which includes beverages). Applying a traceability code directly onto each container or bottle, rather than merely onto pallets or outer case labels, provides a reliable, effective means of complying with the regulations as there is no danger of the information being removed. Similarly, as the codes printed by the Linx 500SL are discreet, they can be used to place identification codes that are hard to duplicate and only visible to the trained eye, for anti-counterfeiting purposes.
Another area where laser coding can enhance packaging is by providing a cost-effective replacement to labelling. This is particularly useful for cosmetics applications where, according to EU regulation, containers must prominently display information including the manufacturer name, contents, shelf-life after opening and traceability details. The Linx 500SL has several advantages over labels for this purpose. Laser codes are permanent, whereas labels may fall off causing non-compliance. With no ongoing consumable costs, laser has low maintenance and a good return on investment compared to labels. The code quality also complements the high value attached to cosmetics brands.