Linx Printing Technologies has upgraded its Linx 8900 series of Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers with new software that is opening it up to more applications and providing businesses with a number of new competitive advantages.
The enhancements mean the Linx 8900 series is now capable of producing faster print speeds; printing over longer throw distances; mistake-proof date code changes and quicker message editing; and ultimately, greater production output.
The series’ new ‘prompted dates’ feature facilitates faster, mistake-proof message choices. When a message is selected or updated, the operator simply selects from a pre-defined range of dates that are suitable for the product being coded, so there is no need to edit dates manually, making editing quick and easy.
This is especially beneficial to manufacturers of short shelf-life food products, where date accuracy is critical.
Further ensuring faster message input with fewer mistakes is the upgraded Linx 8900 series’ new field insert option. This means that, when part of a message is inserted, edited, or deleted, the remaining parts of the message move intelligently to best present the code – a feature that is particularly useful when coding longer messages onto cables.
For example, for a producer marking parts for different customers, each with their own logos and part numbers within other standard data, these can be changed quickly and easily without adjusting the whole message.
The enhancements also mean print speeds are faster – by as much as 33% for one-line, seven drop-high print, now up to 440 metres per minute. This means that high speed production lines can now achieve higher resolution printing without compromising speed. New print formats, designed to print at 40mm throw distances, provide clear codes even when the printhead cannot get close to the product being coded – ideal for coding onto extrusions and irregular shaped products.
Additional benefits include date rounding, to meet company specific date coding conventions; field justification for better code fits; extended communications protocols to control the coders via PCs or PLCs; and the availability of Linx’s ultra-fast-drying 1405 ink for use with Midi plus printheads to provide larger print on fast moving products.
Linx is also releasing its latest version of Linx Printernet, the company’s secure, cloud-based service which enables operators to remotely monitor and control their Linx 8900 printers. Linx Printernet allows users to carry out printer setup, change messages, monitor the status of their printers, and receive proactive advice and maintenance from the Linx Technical Support Team.
A new ‘KPI dashboard’ has been added to the service, which users can access via a tablet, phone or PC. The dashboard shows at a glance whether production is on target for each batch. This enables managers to monitor production rates and make changes to ensure each batch finishes on time, thus ensuring they meet their customer deadlines.
Using the latest version of Linx Printernet, printer software updates can now be made remotely by the Linx support team, Linx customers can decide when to run the software upgrade at their convenience, saving valuable time and ensuring that their Linx printers always have the latest software and security features; all without the disruption of an engineer visit.
“We’re delighted to be announcing these upgrades to the Linx 8900 series, which offer excellent new benefits to businesses across the food, dairy, contract packaging, beverage, and cabling, wiring, and extrusion industries,” comments John Tierney, Marketing Director at Linx Printing Technologies.
“This is an example of how we continually strive to evolve our existing product ranges in order to remain the best option for any company that needs to code onto products.”
