Linx Printing Technologies - Printer designed for coding dairy products

A printer has been launched on the market specifically designed for coding dairy products. As it is tailor made for the dairy industry, the printer can help companies become more efficient when adding use-by dates, batch codes and other required marks for product identification, according to Linx Printing Technologies. The company's Linx 4900DC, a continuous ink jet printer, has the capability to print in flexible 'reverse' and 'inverted' modes. It can print at up to 78 metres per minute for two lines of print. For products such as yoghurts and chilled desserts, this allows the machine's printhead to code as it moves back and forth across multiple product lanes, by automatically reversing the direction on each side of the production line. For products such as probiotic drinks, the Linx 4900DC can automatically invert and reverse the code orientation, to cater for different printed packaging roll formats, the company stated. The curved design of the Linx 4900DC also allows the rapid washdown of the entire unit on the packing line - particularly important for companies coding dairy products where the highest levels of hygiene are needed, the company claimed. The printer comes with a washdown rated stainless steel enclosure. The Linx 4900DC includes: an auto power-down feature that helps avoid a lengthy shut-down routine; a self cleaning printhead, and a 50-message store to reduce operator time spent composing codes. When combined with the Linx Mini Printhead, it can be used printing on smaller spaces, such as the very small plastic bottles used for probiotic drinks. The Mini Printhead creates smaller printed characters, reducing the length of the code, whilst maintaining quality. Codes as small as 1.4 mm in height can be produced, the company claimed.