Software & Controls Continuous inkjet: Versatility is key
Anthony Blencowe, global business unit director for continuous inkjet (CIJ) at Videojet Technologies, talks trends, challenges and solutions on coding and marking, and how to enhance production line efficiency
WHAT TRENDS WOULD YOU SAY HAVE EMERGED THAT CIJ PLAYS A PART IN? What is important to remember here is that regardless of the specific drivers that lead to increased or reduced demand for a product, coding and marking will remain a constant requirement. As a result, we must look at trends in a slightly different manner, in that as far as our customers are concerned, the areas we help them with remain relatively unchanged. They want uptime, speed, accuracy, reliability, ease of use and good value over the lifetime of a system and it is the way we approach continuous improvement in these areas that makes us more of a trend-setter. A good example of this relates to
predictability. As a company, we look to revolutionise the market whenever we launch a new system and with the 1860 CIJ printer, for example, our remote service and predictive capabilities have proven to be an excellent addition.
WHAT NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGES HAVE YOU LAUNCHED RECENTLY? We have developed and recently launched a new printer that is designed for serious players in manufacturing, offers an attractive TCO and respects tighter budgets. Many operations do not run 24/7, for example, and may not require a system as advanced as the 1860. We are always mindful of the many and varied requirements different businesses have, so we offer a range that is suitable and accessible to everybody. The new system is called the Videojet
1580 CIJ, and special components have been designed to make it easier to fit into annual budget planning in terms of maintenance. The printer delivers rock solid performance with the same print speeds as the 1860 – with its high speed workflow module – and also has an extended make-up tank that gives more than eight hours of runtime. A new advanced software package has also been introduced, which monitors the
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printer as it runs and can give operators hints and tips to allow them to operate it more efficiently. It can identify, for example, periods where the printer could be switched off, and it can monitor operating temperatures, identifying where ambient temperatures may affect the printer output in terms of make-up usage. This OPTIMiZE software is standard with the 1580 printer and helps operators to use the system in the most efficient way possible. We are passing on our extensive
knowledge to the customer via this software package. For example, if ink usage is higher during one period over another, the software will question the reason behind this. It will then help the operator to understand why this is occurring, giving them the opportunity to think and to help them to react efficiently.
HOW DOES THIS SOFTWARE DIFFER FROM YOUR OTHER OFFERINGS? The Videojet 1580 targets a different user profile. Users of the Videojet 1860 want to rely on the extensive predictive capabilities, like the industry-first ink build-up sensor, or the ink conductivity sensor. The changes in the 1580 focus on high output functionality, and various things that are standard on the 1860, for example, are now available as options on the 1580 should a customer have the need. The 1580 has the same remote service option, as we do not want to exclude our customers from anything that can help them maximise uptime. There are also high speed workflow modules available for times when customers need increased output. We will always work in partnership with the customer to make suitable recommendations from the outset.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF SCAN2RUN? We have recently launched Scan2Run, an advanced workflow module designed for operators that have frequent changeovers
and varying code content requirements. Many operators produce multiple product options, particularly in the food industry, and many products run through the same line. Operators are challenged every time they effect a changeover as they must change codes accordingly, and it is of course paramount that the correct codes are placed on the correct products. Line control software is the most efficient way to handle these changeovers, but not all operations have access to this level of software and connectivity. Often, manufacturers are carrying out changeovers manually and referring to a production sheet – which is simply a piece of paper with the details of the shift’s production schedule printed on it. We now have the capability to scan bar codes on a sheet containing the necessary code information and then automatically call up the corresponding job stored in the printer. So, in effect, all it takes is a scan to set up the print job for a new product. In addition, as that bar code is with the production sheet for each separate product, the margin for error is very, very slim. The bar code scanner at the printer is an easy handheld version and is directly linked to the printer.
DOES THIS SOFTWARE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS? The beauty of the Scan2Run option is that not only can we call up a specific code in the printer by scanning the bar code, we can also have additional fields if they are present on the production sheet where we can dynamically fill in content. For example, if the filling date for a batch is 31 July – information that would not be stored with the standard code content as it is variable – a bar code telling the printer the filling date will automatically calculate the expiration date of a particular product and add it to the printer setup. Essentially, you scan one bar code for the standard product information, one code for the expiry date and the printer is set for that new product – hence, Scan2Run. Up to three dynamic codes can be entered for each product run. It also doesn’t matter which code is scanned first, which is a new feature to this software. There is no margin for error in that respect. All you need are the codes, the ability to scan them and the printer is set.
uvideojet.co.uk convertermag.co.uk
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