Leading UK glue contract packer Cedesa has bought two Linx CJ400 continuous ink jet (CIJ) printers after successfully trialling the machines for over a year.
The Linx CJ400 was launched to the market in summer 2011 and represents a major development for the coding and marking industry.
Now Cedesa has installed the printers onto a horizontal, semi-automated glue filler line, which operates for up to eight hours a day, five days a week, coding 10 items per minute.
Ease of use and reliability were key factors for Cedesa, which is based in Hertfordshire and offers adhesive packing solutions and products for industrial retail markets.
Linx T551 Black high speed ink is being used to print one line of alphanumeric batch code onto painted metal tubes of glue. This fast-drying Linx ink also offers good chemical resistance, which is crucial in this application.
Chris McKenna, Engineering Manager at Cedesa says: “We needed a printer that was easy to use and offered unparalleled reliability, in an environment where the production line may be run intermittently.
“The Linx CJ400 has easily met these requirements during trials, and starts up first time every time.”
The Linx CJ400 is versatile, simple to own and easy to use. A key innovation is its Easi-Change® Service Module, which can be changed in minutes using on-screen prompts. This means that scheduled maintenance is easily completed without the need for a trained technician or costly service calls – a major advantage for smaller customers or those in remote regions. Further self-maintenance features include on-screen trouble shooting, which can solve the majority of operating issues without the need to consult manuals or engineers.
The Easi-Change® Service Module is designed so that all relevant serviceable parts are housed in an easily removable box, with no wires or pipes to disconnect and reconnect, and no need to expose other critical printer components during servicing. Furthermore, there are no electronic components to replace when the module is changed, reducing cost and waste.
Low maintenance is further enhanced by extended printhead cleaning intervals, typically three months. Linx states that this represents a huge reduction on cleaning costs and downtime compared to other printheads on the market, some of which must be cleaned daily. Thanks to the Linx CJ400’s unique autoflush processes, there is also no need for printer or conduit flushing for shutdowns of up to four weeks, which means no wasted fluids and enables trouble-free startups after extended shutdown periods.
Other cost savings come from the 62 micron printhead nozzle which saves up to 40 per cent ink usage compared to other CIJ printers. Solvent consumption is also reduced by up to 33 per cent.
With the cleanest, most economical printhead, the Linx CJ400 delivers increased production uptime. A number of other unique features have been incorporated to assist with this, including an extended 10 hour fluid refill warning to minimise the risk of the printer running empty.
The Linx CJ400’s unique compact design weighs only 13.5kg complete with fluids, making it the lightest CIJ printer on the market. It is ergonomically designed to be well within health and safety limits for single-person pick-up. The ability to quickly move between lines is enhanced by the capability to store settings for up to four production lines and 1000 typical messages, which can be selected in seconds.
One-step set-up is assured thanks to an easy to use colour touch screen, whose simple prompts enable users to start coding straight away. The same system offers step-by-step message creation and editing without requiring any complicated manuals or training. Mistake proof refills with SureFill® fluid identification prevents expensive damage caused by the use of incorrect inks and solvents.
Throughout the creation of the Linx CJ400, end users including production managers, shift engineers, operators and plant managers were consulted. Regular trials enabled Linx to perfect a machine that the company says signals a major change in the way people think about coding.
Linx Printing Technologies Ltd
Burrel Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 3LA, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0)1480 302100
Fax +44 (0)1480 302116
email sales@linxglobal.com
