Enhancing Production Line Efficiency for Global FMCG Manufacturers
Industry: Food & Beverage
Application: High-Speed Product Coding & Marking
Solution: Universal Marking RX680 Series CIJ Printer with Advanced Connectivity
Executive Summary
Facing the challenge of coding on diverse packaging materials at high speeds, customer sought a reliable, versatile, and efficient marking solution. By implementing the Universal Marking RX680 Series CIJ Printer, they achieved a 40% reduction in ink consumption, a 99.8% uptime rate, and eliminated unreadable codes, ensuring full compliance with industry traceability standards.
The Challenge: Inconsistent Coding on a High-Throughput Line
As leading producer of dried pasta and snack products, operates a 24/5 production environment. Their previous coding systems were causing significant bottlenecks.
Material Versatility: The line rapidly switches between porous (cardboard boxes) and non-porous (plastic film bags) surfaces, requiring different ink types and drying speeds.
High-Speed Requirements: Running at over 400 feet per minute, the printer needed to place crisp, legible codes without any blurring or streaking.
Costly Downtime: Frequent printhead clogs and inconsistent performance led to production stoppages for maintenance and product waste from poor-quality codes.
Strict Traceability: Industry regulations demand every package has a scannable batch code, expiration date, and QR code for full supply chain visibility.
The Solution: Universal Marking RX680 Series CIJ Printing System
After a thorough evaluation, customer selected the Series 8000 for its proven reliability and advanced feature set, perfectly tailored to the demands of the food industry.
Key Features Deployed:
Automatic Solvent Control System: Dynamically regulates solvent usage to maintain optimal ink viscosity, ensuring consistent print quality from the first to the last package and reducing solvent consumption by over 40%.
Quick-Dry, Food-Grade Inks: A range of MEK-free and pigment-based inks that adhere perfectly to various surfaces and dry instantly, even on non-porous plastic films.
UniMatch® Connectivity Suite: Seamless integration with the plant’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for remote management, real-time diagnostics, and automated code changes from a central office.
Self-Cleaning, Sealed Printhead: Advanced automatic maintenance cycles prevent clogging from food dust and starch particles, a critical issue in their previous setup.
The Results: Tangible Benefits and a Stronger Bottom Line
The implementation of the Universal Marking RX680 Series CIJ system delivered immediate and measurable improvements across customers' operations.
1. Unmatched Reliability & Uptime
Achieved 99.8% Operational Uptime. The self-maintaining system has virtually eliminated unplanned stoppages for printhead cleaning.
2. Significant Reduction in Operational Costs
40% Reduction in Ink & Solvent Consumption due to the intelligent solvent control system.
Near-Zero Product Waste from unreadable or smudged codes.
3. Enhanced Flexibility and Compliance
The ability to instantly switch between different packaging materials and ink types has increased production agility.
100% compliance with industry traceability standards, with every code being perfectly legible and scannable.
4. Improved Operational Control
Plant managers can now monitor the performance of all coders across the facility from a single dashboard, enabling proactive maintenance and centralized management.
Client Testimonial
*"The reliability of the Universal Marking RX680 Series CIJ Printer has been a game-changer for our packaging lines. We've eliminated the constant worry about code quality and machine downtime. The reduction in consumable costs alone provided a return on investment in under 12 months. It’s not just a printer; it’s a critical part of ensuring our products reach the market efficiently and safely."*
— Plant Operations Manager.
About CIJ Technology
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology is ideal for high-speed industrial coding applications. It works by creating a continuous stream of ink droplets, which are electrostatically charged and deflected to form characters on the substrate. Non-printing droplets are recycled back to the system. This makes CIJ exceptionally fast, reliable, and capable of printing on uneven surfaces and at various angles.
Ideal for: Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Electronics, Automotive, and Wire & Cable industries.
Ready to Transform Your Coding Process?
Contact our coding experts today for a free, no-obligation line assessment and discover how our CIJ solutions can drive efficiency and reliability in your operation.
