Packaging

NEW LINX PRINTER AVOIDS HIDDEN COSTS OF CODING

Friday 03. December 2010 - Linx Printing Technologies has launched its most advanced Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printer, with an exciting portfolio of features designed to help companies across a wide range of industries to reduce the costs of coding.

The Linx 7300 is designed to avoid the hidden costs of coding through the lowest possible running costs, minimised production downtime, error-free coding and future-proofing. Amongst its features are dynamically adjusted service intervals to ensure customers only pay for vital maintenance, the FullFlush automatic printhead cleaning system, mistake-proof refills with the new SureFill system and error-free code changes with QuickSwitch software.
“Running costs are critical to the purchasing decision for many companies – not just initial outlay but the accumulated cost of ownership in terms of ongoing operation and maintenance,” explains Charles Randon, Senior Product Manager at Linx.
“The Linx 7300 is specifically designed to address these concerns by keeping such costs to a minimum. The printer’s range of innovative features is designed to avoid ‘hidden’ costs that can quickly build up.”
One of the biggest causes of high cost of ownership is the cost of servicing. Linx avoids this by basing service intervals on the customer’s specific environment and usage, with intervals of up to 6000 hours possible. “Just as printer operation varies from application to application, so our service intervals are dynamically adjusted to suit operating conditions,” confirms Charles Randon.
Routine maintenance is minimal and, in contrast to other printers on the market, there are no expensive ink modules to replace. Similarly, there is no need to change the ink tank between services, another ‘hidden cost’ with some coding equipment.
Linx aims to minimise the cost of consumables, too. The standard Linx 7300 already offers enviable economy in solvent consumption, but for heavy, 24/7 users Linx recommends its Linx 7300 Solver option, which is capable of reducing solvent usage by up to 40% by using specially created intelligent software that ‘thinks as it inks’ to adjust solvent use depending on the application.
To combat costly downtime caused by production stoppages, the Linx 7300 uses its FullFlush system, which automatically delivers the most thorough cleaning and drying of the printhead and conduit at every shutdown. As a result, manual cleaning is typically only required once per month, in contrast to other printers where production can be delayed on a daily basis to allow for cleaning. Linx estimates that customers can gain up to one week of production uptime during the first year of installation, compared to a printer that requires daily cleaning.
Cleaning times are further reduced by the printer’s robust, curvaceous stainless steel enclosure which keeps its good looks by avoiding dirt traps and allowing liquid to run easily off the printer.
Linx has provided an innovative SureFill system to avoid the risk of refilling the Linx 7300 with incorrect inks or solvent, which can lead to expensive call-outs and repairs.
Coding errors are a significant threat to profitability through fines, recalls or reworked product. The Linx 7300 incorporates QuickSwitch software, which allows fast and easy code changes by scanning the barcodes on products being coded or scanning barcodes on pre-printed job sheets. The risk of mis-typed data is further reduced thanks to an integral USB port, enabling problem-free transfer of codes and printer settings between printers.
Linx also recognises that many customers’ requirements will change over time, and so has fitted the Linx 7300 with a number of features designed to make it future-proof. Data Matrix and 3-line coding are provided as standard, with optional 4 and 5-line printing. A wide range of code formats is available, including logos and barcodes.
Linx estimates that average savings of up to £3,000 per printer a year can be made by choosing the Linx 7300 over other printers. “The accumulated benefits of lower maintenance, fewer services, reduced consumption of consumables, prevention of refill errors and faster, more accurate code changes, make the Linx 7300 an attractive proposition,” confirms Charles Randon. “Companies can now confidently invest in coding equipment knowing that the Linx 7300 delivers high-quality performance along with great cost efficiency.”