Medical Device Link.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published June 1999

PRODUCT UPDATE

CODERS

Handle the Details

Today's coders are designed to create everything from alphanumeric text to intricate graphics. What makes them desirable in packaging is their ability to work in-line and to print information directly on the package itself. Coders can handle paper, plastic, and Tyvek, as well as cartons in a variety of shapes and sizes. Specialized coders can print on two sides of a package or produce two or more colors. Some manufacturers offer no-ink coders or machines that can work in multilane packaging lines.

A flexographic platen printer works with intermittent-motion thermoforming, pouch, or blister machines. The Model 812-11 eliminates the need for preprinted web stock and provides high-quality imprints, bar codes, and other graphics on Tyvek, laminates, film, foil, and paper. Models are available for imprint sizes from 4 x 6 in. to 18 x 21 in. The printer's high-speed microprocessor-controlled die plate traverses the ink fountain before each imprint, resulting in sharp definition of small and large characters. Adolph Gottscho Inc., Union, NJ.

Packagers can print two colors in-line on the same side of an Autobag with a thermal-transfer imprinter. The Precision Multi-Print features built-in electronic registration that keeps printing accuracy to ±1/16 in. for each color. The printer produces clear bar codes, text, and graphics placed exactly where specified without movement or shifting from bag to bag. The printer provides flexibility that allows users to customize and modify messages. Automated Packaging Systems Inc., Streetsboro, OH.

Available in continuous or intermittent modes, a thermal-transfer printer prints directly on plastic packaging film, cartons, tags, and bags. The Swing offers a print area of 50 x 300 mm with 300-dpi resolution. Text can be edited using the Swing keyboard or an external PC. Speeds reach up to 300 mm per second; alphanumeric characters can be as high as 30 mm. Dalemark Industries Inc., Lakewood, NJ.

Labels, Tyvek sheets, pouches, and blister-pack cards can be printed on demand from a computer. Ink-jet printers are engineered for demanding medical packaging, provide up to 12,000 six-line imaged documents per hour, and offer a printing resolution of up to 600 dots per in. The printers produce letter-quality text, graphics, and bar codes on material ranging from labels to large flats. Material up to 1/4 in. thick is handled easily. Denco Data Equipment Corp., Norristown, PA.

A thermal-transfer electronic printer prints changing product information, such as bar codes, real-time codes, expiration dates, lot codes, and security codes directly on packaging film or labels. The Jaguar Model J27i2, with its compact print unit and separate controller, mounts easily on labeling machines, vertical form-fill-seal packaging lines, and cartoners where space is limited. The controller allows the operator to change printed text instantly by using the keypad to select new messages. Norwood Marking Systems, Downers Grove, IL.

A company offers a redesigned ink-jet printer that can simultaneously code multiple lines of information on a box. The Little David VersaJet LC-2 printer has one controller and one ink source. Users have the flexibility of simultaneously printing two codes on one side of the box, printing on two sides of the box, or printing on two production lines. The unit can accommodate line speeds of up to 200 ft per minute. Character heights range from 3/8 to 2 in. Loveshaw, South Canaan, PA.

Cases can be printed with clear bar codes, logos, printed instructions, and handling information. The Model 2482 heavy-duty flat-case printer works at speeds of up to 50 items per minute (or 80 per minute with the high-speed option). Several mounting systems are available: a magnetic printing cylinder for frequent message changes, a Flexback printing cylinder for large amounts of copy, and a Magflex cylinder for small blocks of copy or for graphics that must be changed frequently. The Model 2482-2C is a two-color version of the printer. Kiwi Coders Corp., Wheeling, IL.

A laser marking system creates crisp, permanent marks on plastics, metals, wood, and other materials at speeds of up to 180 characters per second. The Fenix CO₂ laser marker is designed for tough industrial environments. The WinMark Lite software allows users to mark graphics, alphanumerics, and more. Advanced applications such as serialization, bar coding, and automation can be handled with the WinMark Pro. A free process evaluation is available. Synrad, Mukilteo, WA.

A vibrating stylus makes indents into metals, plastics, glass, wood, and other rigid materials. The Pro-Pen P3000 dot peen marking system provides neat, clear, and permanent marking of characters, digits, bar codes, and logos. The marking area measures 4 x 4 in.; character size varies from 0.04 to 3.25 in. Linear, angular, circular, and special marking can be achieved. Marking Methods Inc., Alhambra, CA.

High-resolution variable imprinting on both flexible and rigid packaging materials can be achieved with thermal-transfer coders and printers. The EasyPrint line prints on films, Tyvek, cartons, and foil. Designed for use with intermittent- and continuous-motion form-fill-seal machines, each EasyPrint model produces bar codes, real time, shift codes, date codes, pricing, text, and graphics with high-quality, 300-dpi resolution. The company supplies EasyPrint formatting software, programmable controllers, and thermal-transfer ribbons. Weber Marking Systems Inc., Arlington Heights, IL.

A printer creates text, codes, and graphics on two sides of bags-on-a-roll, tubing, or centerfold film. The Sonic Twin 2S is one member of the PrintPro Sonic family of thermal-transfer imprinters. Another model is the Sonic Twin 2C, which prints in two colors on one side of a web. All members of the Sonic family feature high-speed printing, an extra-large print area, and the precise print registration system (PPRS), which holds print registration within 1/16 in. Comstar Printing Solutions, Streetsboro, OH.

A range of printing systems create characters, codes, and graphics on a variety of surfaces. Series 6 are WaxJet printing systems that use a solid alternative to solvent-based ink systems. Series 7 provide high-resolution ink-jet cod-ing for alphanumerics, graphics, and industry-compliant bar codes for marking on corrugated or other porous material. Series 8 are low-cost, small-character ink-jet printers for nonporous materials. Series 9 include alphanumeric ink-jet case coding systems that use solid-state piezo technology. FoxJet Inc., Arlington, TX.

High-resolution printing of cases and shipping containers can be achieved with an ink-jet printer. The ILC/Pulsar creates real-time and on-line decoration of any packaging, including cardboard, wood, and polystyrene. The Pulsar can print up to 3.9-in.-high messages combining 10 lines of variable text, dates, logos, and bar codes. Imaje Ink Jet Printing Corp., Kennesaw, GA.

A direct thermal-transfer printer handles multiple package coding and bar code requirements on Multivac, Tiromat, Dixie, and all horizontal form-fill-seal equipment. The EasyPrint direct thermal traversing system prints variable information directly onto package substrates such as poly, film, foil, Tyvek, and paper. EasyPrint is designed to be a direct replacement for conventional hot stamp coders on form-fill-seal packaging machines, as well as baggers and label applicators. Bell-Mark Sales Co., Pine Brook, NJ.

A digital bag printer is designed to print alphanumeric messages, bar codes, and fine-line graphics on uncoated white or Kraft paper bags. The DCP-3200-V3B features a vacuum feeding system and digital printing technology. The system prints up to 50 bags per minute. Its software allows a user to create text in a range of sizes and styles, as well as insert bar codes, import graphics, and store completed messages. Iconotech, Wheeling, IL.

A high-definition ink-jet printing system allows fully automated printing of bar codes, up to five lines of alphanumeric text, logos, and symbologies on outer carton packages. The ModulPrint can be equipped with the NZ large-character printheads to print on porous and nonporous substrates. The system allows for communication of data from PCs, scanners, and PLCs, providing complete production line integration. MarCode Inc., Golden Valley, MN.

Bottles, cans, and packages can be coded with laser printers. The Lasetec produces precise letters, bar codes, and graphics on packages. Users can choose font style and print size from 1 to 50 mm high for each application with no requirement for change parts. An optional servo-controlled printhead adjustment system is available for automatic changeovers when different packages are run on the same production line. Industrial Dynamics International Inc., Torrance, CA.

A hot stamper is capable of a maximum speed of 1200 prints per minute. The Metronic MC3 is suitable for integration into packaging machines that offer restricted vertical space. The MC3 has a print area of 30 x 50 mm and comes with a foil-holding cassette that allows hot stamping foil to be replaced within seconds. The system features a separate control unit for operating and control elements, an adjustable exact foil advance, foil end warning system, and cassette safety check. Griffin-Rutgers Company, Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY.

A thermal-transfer printer is specifically designed to be used with multilane intermittent-motion packaging machines. The Sprint S-842 programmable printer can produce variable text, bar codes, and graphic symbols directly on paper, Tyvek, or film with a print area of up to 200 x 106 mm at a resolution of 300 dots per in. Printing at speeds of up to 180 mm per second, the Sprint can vary print direction at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° and function in 10–80% humidity without condensation. Greydon Inc., York, PA.

A vacuum carton coder can be used for either thermal-transfer or hot-foil coding for virtually all sizes and thicknesses of cartons and sleeves. The vacuum transfer machine is suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry and can handle complex shapes as well as standard products. With a maximum output of 180 cartons per minute, the unit can handle products ranging from 2 x 3/8 in. up to 15¾ x 11¾ in. Allen Coding & Marking Systems, Elmhurst, IL.

A system prints directly onto premade pouches, bags, and flat materials, giving the appearance of a preprinted pouch and the flexibility for JIT process control. Suitable for use with Tyvek, the thermal Printmaster will print on a flat stock from 1.25 to 6.00 in. wide and a thickness up to 350g/m². The 300-dpi resolution produces crisp text, bar codes, and logos. It processes from 4 to 10 in. of stock per second, making it one of the fastest printers on the market. The unit is supplied with an automatic ribbon saver. Data can be fed in at any time, eliminating the need to change EPROMS. Character modification capability includes enlargement in x-y direction up to factor 8 and tilting of 90°, 180°, and 270°. It has 17 standard plus two vector fonts, all standard bar codes, and a serial RS-232 interface with option of RS-485. About Packaging Robotics Inc., Boulder, CO.

Small-character ink-jet printers provide coding to meet basic or specialized needs. The 400 Series printers include the 450si, the 460si, the 460mi, and the 460Pi. The 450si is a basic, low-cost unit. The 460si prints up to four lines of code on a wide variety of products and packaging materials. The 460mi micro printer produces tiny characters. It can print a high-resolution code as small as 0.8 mm in single line mode and is suitable for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The 460Pi is designed to print with high-contrast organic yellow ink on dark substrates. Willett America Inc., Fort Worth, TX.

A laser coding system creates permanent marks on almost all pharmaceutical packages and devices, including paper, plastic, blister packages, and glass. The Z-Code uses a steered beam CO₂ laser that can mark up to four lines of text on a stationary or moving part with a line speed of up to 300 ft/min. LaserInk Corp., San Diego, CA.