Compact labeller on the ‘carton line’

One of the latest applications for a Markoprint X1JET with HP printhead is the ‘cartoning packaging line’. Here, the inkjet printer applies batch, lot and shelf life data to each individual folding carton, which has been checked for completeness by a sophisticated weighing system. The printer is connected to the control unit of the measuring system manufacturer Mettler-Toledo via an Ethernet interface and receives all the necessary dynamic information from there. This information is inserted into special remote fields in the print layout, which has been created in advance using Buhm Systeme's iDesign software.

The Markoprint X1JET was also chosen because of its compact dimensions. The control unit and ink cartridge, including the print head, are arranged in such a way that the device is no larger than two cigarette packets. This means it fits into even the smallest installation spaces. Because the ink cartridge also contains the print head, a new print head is inserted into the system each time the consumable is replaced. This guarantees the best print quality. The inkjet printer operates at August Faller KG in two shifts on weekdays. New ink has to be supplied approximately every two weeks.

Rapid text changes with consistently high quality

Dieter Kupferschmidt and his team are also impressed by the other product advantages of the Markoprint X1JET. At Bluhm Weber Group, they can choose the right ink for almost any surface and colour from a huge range of colours. Bluhm Weber Group offers additional printhead technologies that would make even more possible.

The Markoprint X1JET is already set up to meet stricter legal requirements. In the future, every single package will have to have a unique serial number to help fight product piracy. This means printing dozens of text changes every minute. The printer used at August Faller can already handle several hundred texts per minute.

Despite all this speed, quality must not be compromised. That is why a camera has been installed directly next to the Markoprint X1JET. This checks the legibility and content of the fresh print on each individual package. Using data stored in the company network, this inspection system determines whether the packaging actually says what it is supposed to say.

For even more dynamic labelling requirements, Bluhm Weber Group has developed the Markoprint X1JET's ‘big brother’: the Markoprint iJET. This high-performance inkjet labeller was designed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. It specialises in fast 1:1 data exchange between the printer and the company network. This allows 50 completely different data matrix codes to be printed on packaging per second.