Linx said that its 8900 Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printer is allowing erlenbacher backwaren, a German manufacturer of frozen cakes, to effectively mark its plastic film packaging even via condensation.
Cakes from the manufacturer usually undergo temperature differences during the production process, leading to condensation forming on the packaging film.
The Linx 8900 is claimed to be able to print through a layer of moisture to deliver a clear, readable and durable code, which remains in place on the substrate in temperatures of minus 35 degrees in deep-freeze storage.
As part of the baking company’s quality assurance program, the cakes are printed with a batch ID number as long with compulsory use-by date. The company stated that printer is capable of keeping up with the company’s production line.
erlenbacher backwaren printer maintenance official Walter Thellmann said: “Frozen products pass the printer at a speed of 35 metres per minute, so that more than 1,000 units can be marked per hour.”
Other benefit of using the printer is the ease of use. The 10-inch touchscreen helps to easily add and alter text and allows operators to quickly select files for printing.
Several other production parameters can also be entered and stored in the printer, enabling the printer to be configured for up to four different production scenarios at the touch of a button. The printer has password protection that can prevent unintentional, unauthorized and incorrect entries.
Linx also claims that the printer has been designed to avoid errors during the refilling of inks and solvents. The containers for the consumables have different sizes so that they can only be placed in the correct location. It is also equipped with automatic fluid recognition that ensures that right fluids are used in the printer, while a special septum seal prevents ink and solvent leakage.
The printer also offers high flexibility for placing it on the production line, because of its compact dimensions. It can be wall-mounted and has a 6m long printhead conduit.
Maintenance of the printer is also claimed to be easy. The machine only requires service every 18 months and it takes just 30 minutes for an untrained personnel to complete via simple menus that guide the user through the maintenance process.
Image: Linx installs 8900 ink jet printer at a German baking company. Photo: Courtesy of Linx Printing Technologies.