Coder Printer

The SmartDate 1 coder prints dates, product codes, bar codes, and graphics on a variety of packages, primarily for the food and baking industries. It also cuts thermal transfer operating costs and downtime of ribbon changeovers by 50%. The interlaced mode gives operators the option to mark with a reduced-density print pattern. The coder features digital-to-print technology that increases uptime and lowers costs by eliminating the need to set and change type manually, as required by hot stamping. In addition, the thermal transfer technology provides crisp, consistent print quality, so that the reduced-density marks of the interlaced mode are nevertheless superior to the marks of hot-stamp printers.

The coders use thermal transfer technology, a coding method that results in little stress to the packaging material. Thermal transfer printing uses a wax/resin-based ribbon that transfers ink to the substrate when a thermal printhead passes over the ribbon. With a proprietary ribbon-handling system, the coder is the only thermal transfer coder that prints reliably on both intermittent-feed and continuous-feed production lines. These include vertical and horizontal form/fill/seal, flow pack, and rotary bagging machines, whose speeds range from 10 bags per minute to more than 250 bags per minute.

The digital-to-print technology allows operators to print variable data or change type sizes, legends, and imprint positions with ease. With CimControl software, a SmartDate coder also can be networked to other printers and labeling systems on the factory floor.

MARKEM Corp., 800-421-9698.