Matthews Intelligent Identification's new Linx TT3 thermal transfer overprinter is perfect for medium-sized companies looking to make their first investment in digital coding.
According to Matthews Sales and Marketing Manager Phillip Biggs, many companies are still working with coders that use analogue hot stamp or roller technologies that lack flexibility in terms of changing the code.
“These companies are under pressure from retailers to upgrade to improve traceability and performance, but consider the costs of real-time digital printing to be prohibitive," Biggs says.
"The Linx TT3 provides the best of both worlds: excellent performance and convenience, at an affordable price.”
Biggs says the coder incorporates the proven advantages of Linx’s existing TT5 and TT10 coders, including clutchless bi-directional ribbon drive to prevent breakages (typical of many thermal transfer overprinters), simple cassette-based ribbon changeovers and an intuitive user interface.
“Features have been streamlined to provide a simplified model that will appeal to small to medium-sized companies looking to make their first investment in digital coding,” Biggs says.
With a 32mm print-head, the Linx TT3 is ideal for standard applications where only text-based information, such as date or lot codes, is required.
Codes are continuously variable, and printed at a high-resolution 300dpi for outstanding legibility.
To keep the cost of ownership low, Biggs points to the use of patented technology to monitor and adjust ribbon tension for consistent performance.
"This eliminates the need for a mechanical clutch found in many TTOs," Biggs explains.
"nother advantage is that the ribbon is kept on a cassette, which can be removed in its entirety to enable quick changeovers, typically within a minute.
“Thermal Transfer Overprinters are often installed in locations on packaging machines which can be awkward to access, so using a cassette allows the operator to fit a new ribbon without inconvenience," Biggs says.
"To further minimise downtime, Linx supplies a longer ribbon length of 600m.”
The Linx TT3 maintains the intuitive user interface of its sister machines, but with a simplified operation that reflects the streamlined functions required for text-only printing.
“Because many factories that are used to analogue equipment are not networked, Linx has ensured that set-up and operation are simple and don’t depend on PC software — although code designs can be uploaded via a USB port.”
Once entered on screen, code changes are immediate, enabling companies to implement more flexible shift codes for traceability purposes.
“This isn’t practical with analogue systems due to the length of time needed to change the stamp or roller,” Biggs explains.
“By providing regularly updated traceability information, production line staff can more easily audit output and deal with mistakes.”
The Linx TT3 can be installed for both bagging and flow-wrapping applications.
In intermittent operating mode, the TT3 operates at speeds of up to 200 millimetres per second — well within the capability of many dry foods, crisps, snacks and salad applications.
For continuous flow, the Linx TT3 prints at up to 500mm per second, or up to 125 packs per minute, making it suitable for larger flow-wrapped items such as bakery products.
“We are confident that a wide number of industries will quickly recognise the benefits of the Linx TT3, which will provide greater flexibility, improved performance and lower cost of ownership than analogue printers,” Biggs says.
Key facts
- low operating costs with clutchless bi-directional ribbon drive to prevent breakages
- ease of use with simple, cassette-based ribbon changeovers and an intuitive user interface
- set-up and operation don’t depend on PC software (although code designs can be uploaded via a USB port)
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