Packaging
Self-Cleaning makes Large Character Marking Crystal Clear
Tuesday 21. April 2009 - Coding and marking solutions provider Linx Printing Technologies has underlined its commitment to Large Character Marking (LCM) with the launch of the fully featured Linx IJ350 LCM coder, whose key innovations include a self-cleaning printhead with a patented nozzle protection system that improves performance and reduces overall cost of ownership.
Ideal for outer case or secondary packaging, the Linx IJ350 also offers ease of maintenance, consistently perfect print quality, a simple user interface and flexible and easy installation. Integrated software guides the user to select the correct data for the required message for error-free coding, the intuitive, icon-based touch screen ensures simple, hassle-free operation and the compact, detachable display unit features “at a glance” status indication for maximum installation flexibility.
The Linx IJ350 has been launched to offer a fully-featured LCM coder designed to meet the requirements of customers who need clear, legible and accurate coding of secondary packaging, with particularly excellent reproduction of machine-readable barcodes. Existing solutions on the market are not always cost effective and require significant investments in time and effort to keep them running to the required standard for high throughputs.
The development of the Linx IJ350 follows extensive customer research which revealed that key requirements for LCM applications include regular printhead cleaning without the need for shutdowns; error-free coding; ease of day-to-day operation; and convenient placement of the display screen for operators. All of these factors are addressed for the first time in the Linx J350.
The coders innovative fully enclosed self-cleaning technology keeps all printhead nozzles clean, all the time, minimising downtime and removing the need for manual intervention. Designed to guard against dust or poor carton presentation, the unique nozzle protection system prevents costly damage to ensure clear, accurate printing of text, logos and barcodes.
The self-cleaning method is known as micro-purge, which uses a small film of ink on the printhead to collect dirt and debris prior to printing. This is blasted with air to clean the ink from the printing plate; the ink is collected and recirculated, passing through a high performance filter to maintain clean ink in the system. This innovative ink recirculation system reduces the overall cost of ownership and eliminates the need to dispose of waste ink, because every drop of ink is used.
A range of innovations ensure error-free coding. Integrated software and intuitive printer controls are designed to allow the IJ350 to be mastered quickly and easily; not only is minimal training required but operator errors are unlikely. The simple touch screen is icon-based: common tasks are only one touch away, and the majority of other functions can be accessed within two touches. As well as being WYSIWYG for ease of message viewing, Linx has created a highly visual status bar, using a traffic light colour-coded system, for “at a glance” updates. Linx now offers Claricom Package Coding Management (PCM) software, which combines CLARiSOFT centralised message creation and CLARiNET production line networking to remove the risk of coding errors. Other software options include Windows printer drivers and compatibility with leading label creation packages.
The compact, portable size of the coder ensures hassle-free installation wherever it is required, and it can also be moved easily between lines. A long cable ensures that the display can be detached up to a distance of 3m for optimum positioning, while a single display can be used for multiple printers. Vertical screen configuration means that the display is visible from across the factory, further enhancing its practicality. Flexibility in installation also comes from the capability to network up to 4 printers together, controlling them all from one master printer or via network control software.
The Linx IJ350 prints characters up to 53mm in height. For applications requiring codes of a greater height, Linx also offers the Linx IJ370, capable of printing 70mm.
“The growing worldwide need for legible and clear coding on secondary packaging such as outer cases is being driven by increasing requirements for traceability and brand identification, and Large Character Marking is the most cost-effective and versatile means of achieving this accurately and efficiently,” comments Dr Paul Doody, Product Manager at Linx.
“The Linx IJ350 has been specifically designed to meet customer needs for high-quality LCM coding, and customers have responded extremely positively to its features,” he adds. “The exceptional performance, flexibility and ease of use of the Linx IJ350 re-emphasises our commitment to providing high quality and cost effective coding solutions along the whole packaging line.”