Videojet believes it has made a breakthrough in digital thermal transfer coding onto flexible packaging with its DataFlex Thermal Transfer Overprinter.
A key feature is its ability to produce high-resolution images on-line of variable and real-time data, along with bar codes and images.
Flexibility is another plus point. Most thermal transfer overprinters are installed on vertical or horizontal form/fill/seal machines that run in either intermittent or continuous mode. The DataFlex can run in both modes, offering one system compatible with all FFS variations. Competitive systems are said to offer intermittent and continuous operation, but in two different units, so to upgrade it is necessary to buy another system.
Operating costs should also be kept down with the DataFlex’s clutchless ribbon drive which is claimed to reduce ribbon errors and so decrease downtime.