Packaging
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE PRINTING AND HIGH QUALITY INKS FOR CIJ CODING
Thursday 08. May 2008 - Linx Printing Technologies will be exhibiting several examples of its extensive range of Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers and inks at Interpack, confirming its reputation for excellent performance and high quality.
The acclaimed Linx 6900 – the perfect partner for a wide range of product coding needs, thanks to its combination of reliability, ease of use, intelligence and attractive curves – will be on display. The Linx 6900 is a fully featured coder that can efficiently print up to five lines of text, graphics and barcodes at single printed line speeds of up to 8.4m/s. It is designed to provide simple operation to minimise the risk of costly mistakes and ensure reliable operation through its wash- and dust-proof enclosure design.
Linx sees the Linx 6900 as a means of permitting flexible configurations to meet changing coding needs more effectively, something even easier to achieve with several different models available. In addition to the standard model and the new Linx 6900 Solver (see pp2), Linx will also be exhibiting a model featuring a short-reach printhead for applications where access to tight spaces is required, and the Linx 6900 Spectrum, specially developed for pigmented ink types.This features a purpose designed ink tank that mixes ink without the need mechanical stirrers, ensuring consistent code quality and contrast. In addition, the printer does not have to remain powered on constantly and does not require to be drained before extended shutdowns, for further cost- and time savings.
Alongside these will be the Linx 4900, designed to deliver a product coding solution that is clean, simple and reliable to use in a wide range of applications. The printer provides one or two line coding at production line speeds of up to 6.25 m/s and can also print simple graphics. Codes including date, time and shift information are easily created using a wide range of pre-defined formats and a simple user interface, reducing coding mistakes. The coder has been developed for long-term reliability and consistent performance, with a stainless steel enclosure and IP55 rating, automatic printhead cleaning and power off, and sealed fluid refills that do not require the printed to be opened, in order to minimise mess and downtime.
The printers will be demonstrating a wide range of Linxs specialist CIJ inks to highlight the companys capabilities. The recently launched Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 offers excellent contrast and durability even in harsh environments. The ink is particularly suited to printing onto rubber and plastic, including PE and PVC substrates, making it ideal for cabling and pipe extrusions, industrial and automotive components and food and beverage packaging. Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 has been especially designed to deliver high quality and convenience in printing. Its fast drying time of approximately one second and good rub resistance are particularly useful for high-speed production lines.
In addition, this Linx ink provides exceptional long-term performance, an essential requirement for traceability and branding purposes. Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 offers excellent contrast to barcode readable standards, a high level of light fastness and resistance to solvents, and retains legibility even after the substrate is subjected to prolonged heat damage. This makes it suitable for a range of specialist applications outdoors and in other harsh environments – for example, undersea cabling systems for the oil industry, or PE and PVC water pipes.
Other Linx CIJ inks on display include Linx Clear security ink 3160, Linx Black plastic-adherent ink 1014 and Linx High-opacity grey ink 1311. Linx Clear security ink 3160 has been developed for discreet coding applications such as anti-counterfeiting or internal traceability. The ink is nearly invisible in normal light but fluoresces red under UV light. The distinctive colour of Linx Clear security ink 3160 is achieved using a unique red dye, making imitation of the code even more difficult.
Linx Black plastic-adherent ink 1014 has been specially designed to give excellent print quality and superior adhesion when printed onto plastics; including those traditionally regarded as difficult for CIJ inks, such as nylon.
This ink has excellent light-fastness and is resistant to high temperatures and a range of chemicals. These qualities make it ideal for applications such as cabling, plastic extrusions and mouldings, and suitable for many of the packaging materials used by the food and beverages industry, including
flow wrap, caps, closures, blister packs and bottles.
Linx High-opacity grey ink 1311 offers outstanding colour strength on a range of materials, including rubber, PE and other plastics, on which dye-based inks lose their definition. It provides excellent print quality and the best possible contrast on dark or light backgrounds. This offers flexible coding over a number of substrate colours. Printed codes will not fade for a number of years, making the ink ideal for marking products that will be stored outside for extended periods of time. The ink also has good heat resistance, and withstands alcohol splashes, so it is suitable for printing alcohol-rich products. Linx High-opacity grey ink 1311 has been developed specifically for use in the Linx 6900 Spectrum printer.