MARKET PLACE
Meeting the needs
 |
On- and off-line labelling systems provide efficient labelling of products and components and add important safety, compliance and operating information for end users. The systems need to operate reliably and for extended periods of time without maintenance and in conditions that may not be ideal, for example, in high temperatures or levels of airborne contamination. To meet these challenges the latest generation of bar-code and label printers incorporate sophisticated print mechanisms that are robust and reliable and offer a greater range of functions in standard units. This translates into reduced capital and operating costs and improved productivity.
Size and functionality
Microprocessor control has allowed the size of internal control boards to be minimised, which reduces the number and size of components. Thus, the latest thermal transfer and direct thermal label printers are lightweight, compact and simple in construction. This means they can be located at the point of use, on a desktop or mounted on a wall. Many feature a clamshell design so that loading and unloading of media is quick and simple, regardless of the horizontal or vertical orientation of the unit.
The dramatic fall in the cost of microprocessors has enabled greater functionality to be built into each printer, which can then be programmed directly or via a wireless-enabled personal digital assistant rather than through a dedicated proprietary network.
The use of sophisticated 32 bit on-board architecture improves print speed, resolution and accuracy. It is not uncommon for stand-alone systems to print at 200 or 300 dpi, or at speeds in excess of 30 cm/s, and to be able to handle linear and two-dimensional barcodes or complex label designs without external programming.
The latest printers can handle standard direct thermal labels and specialised or exotic materials. This includes advanced polyester labels with antimicrobial coatings and metallic labels typically used for serial number tagging. It is now also possible to use standard and low-cost printers to produce labels that are long lasting and capable of resisting aggressive solvents. A far greater range of label widths can be printed, ranging from narrow labels smaller than 2 cm in width from desktop models, to labels wider than 20 cm from wide-format printers.
The increased functionality and improved media handling that is possible with these systems means that manufacturers can reduce the range of print units that are required. A single unit can be used for multiple tasks, regardless of the type of media, rather than dedicating one printer to each label type as has been the case. Furthermore, the benefits provided by today’s systems prompt the opportunity to increase the use and quality of labels used for branding or as a source of identification and information.
For more information, contact Mark Beauchamp, Citizen Systems Europe, 643–651 Staines Road, Feltham TW14 8PA, UK, tel. +44 20 8893 1900, e-mail: mark@citizen-europe.com.
