Perfect for challenging environments, the new Linx 4900BC from Matthews Intelligent Identification is the total bottle-coding solution.
It uses inks that stick, prints exactly where you want and with Matthews’ responsive service, you can say goodbye to bottle-coding issues.
The new, purposefully built Linx 4900BC is a total bottle-coding solution designed to cope with a range of environments — specifically wet and humid ones.
The Linx 4900BC comprises a robust continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer with a specially developed 'sticky ink' for permanent coding, plus a unique air-knife drying system. All this ensures reliable, 24/7 operation at the high speeds required.
The versatile beverage ink 1058, is a new ink whose superior adherence makes it ideal for bottling applications such as on glass, PET and PLA.
The ink penetrates condensation to provide good print quality and excellent permanence right up to the point of its removal in caustic bottle washers (if required).
Phil Biggs of Matthews Intelligent Identification says, “Not only does the 4900BC come with ink that is ideal for penetrating condensation, but the unique print-head and air-knife system ensure the print area is practically dry immediately before printing.
"This controlled process ensures that printing always occurs on the dried area for consistent code quality, even between production changeovers and daily line adjustments.”
Biggs says these benefits are matched by the durability, ease of use and low cost of ownership for which Linx products are renowned.
The coder incorporates all of the benefits of the regular Linx 4900, offering two-line printing of text and logos at production line speeds of up to 6.25m/s.
“The Linx 4900BC is full of features that make use cleaner and easier," he says.
"With its unique curved stainless steel case and its IP55 wash-down rating, the Linx 4900BC provides safe and clean operation in all production environments where cleanliness is important.
“We know that mess-free and trouble-free starts and stops are also important, which is why the 4900BC has a self-cleaning print-head and automatic power-down ability.”
In addition to its cleanliness, coder operation is easy due to the simple, menu-driven interface with message preview for error-free code creation.
It has a 50-message memory store and automatic date-creation to minimise the need for editing.
Biggs says the launch of the Linx 4900BC is based on extensive communication with the bottling industry, which revealed that the key drivers behind coder purchases are downtime and code quality.
Dr Nick Scott, Linx product manager, inks and accessories concurs.
“Bottling is a highly competitive industry," he says, "so manufacturers need to get the most out of their equipment, in terms of speed and performance.
"Any downtime reduces competitiveness, so the unique features of the Linx 4900BC have been developed to keep things moving.”
The new Linx 490BC from Matthews Intelligent Identification will revolutionise the way the bottling industry code products.
Matthews Intelligent Identification will be on stand 170 at AUSPACK 2009.