Markem-Imaje (for short MI), a provider of industrial marking and coding systems, has launched the “9750+” continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer to support customers cut costs and reduce inventory needs for pigment and dye inks. The hybrid coder provides the flexibility to print standard dark codes or color contrasted codes by using dyes or pigmented inks while delivering premium legibility and permanence. The polyvalent ink circuit, the first of its kind for coding, enables manufacturers to use one printer across factories, regardless of ink and packaging. Through this market first approach manufacturers will be able to streamline ink inventory and installed base management.
This upgrade to MI’s “9750+” follows its global launch last year and forms part of a series of upcoming innovations which will see Markem Imaje support customers in meeting some of the challenges of today’s manufacturing environment. This includes improving sustainability, maximising uptime, and supporting industry 4.0 integration. Guillaume Montagnat, product marketing manager at Markem Imaje said: “We are enormously proud of the ‘9750+’ which has been designed in direct response to our customers’ needs. For the first time, it allows manufactures to use one model to code in both dye or pigmented ink. This is the latest innovation from our CIJ team and adds to a portfolio which includes coders which cut VOCs even when using MEK inks. By using the consumable-saving mode, the ‘9750+’ and the ‘9750’ generate up to 35 percent fewer VOCs.”
CIJ printing is the market’s most popular coding method. Pigment inks are used when a very long-lasting and crisp code is required, and/or where achieving the desired contrast and legibility with a dye is difficult due to packaging color e.g., brown bottles. Companies, such as large consumer goods manufacturers, often need to use both coding methods. For example, shampoo maybe in a dark PET bottle requiring a contrasted pigmented print, while a black dye ink might be better for coding cartons containing increasingly popular solid shampoo bars.
Traditionally, producing both code types required two types of machines and many different spare parts. By introducing the new hybrid continuous inkjet printer, Markem Imaje enables manufactures to achieve both with one printer model, streamlining maintenance and spare part needs whilst also providing flexibility and lower costs. Additionally, the printer supports sustainability goals. With the use of MEK-free inks it will cut consumables and volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions even more: up to 50 percent as standard, and up to 60 percent using the consumable-saving mode. Sustainability is further enhanced by allowing the swapping out of individual parts, and not entire ink circuit blocks, resulting in less equipment going to landfill.
Alongside the hybrid innovation, the ‘9750+’ provides a leading performance producing text messages up to five lines, logos, and high resolution 1D and 2D codes, on a vast array of packaging. It benefits from MI’s “Intelli’Design” concept delivering one of the industry’s highest uptimes, with all key parts replaceable at the same time, significantly reducing service-related downtime. The unique “Intelli’Inks” system ensures optimal performance when coding different materials, while Jet Speed Control automatically adjusts ink and printer variables to provide perfect drop placement, quality and code consistency, minimizing scrap and rework.
Printing durable and legible data, such as best-before-expiry dates, QR codes, lot numbers and barcodes, are vital components of a modern supply chain. Done correctly, they help accelerate and improve a product’s journey from manufacturer to end user, while making recalls easier too.
