Continuous Inkjet Printers / Case Coder
Date/Lot Number Printing on Cans
High speed industrial inkjet printing lot codes and date codes on cans has become specialty for continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers. Maintenance and printer downtime is costly at the high production speeds cans need to be printed on. Similarly, if a canning date coder is down or missing date codes for only a few minutes while the line is running, rework of thousands of cans will add large costs. Lot codes are essential for meeting regulatory and traceability standards established by the FDA.
Inkjet printing lot codes on cans is one of the most difficult and demanding production environments. With extreme can volumes and even more difficult wet and harsh environments, few continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers can stand up to the challenge of coding on cans. Variable size and shapes of cans as well as condensation leave few printing options that can even print on cans let alone survive the task. KEYENCE’s printing ink is perfectly suited for the task of printing in high quality with good adhesion on cans.
Key Downtime and Cost Reduction Features of the KEYENCE MK-G Series Inkjet Printer for Lot Coding Cans
Explore the Advanced Features
Patented one touch nozzle replacement. Recover from the inevitable nozzle clogging issue in under 1 minute by simply replacing the nozzle with no tools or special training.
Particle state:
If the optimum ink state is not maintained, the inside of the head may become dirty, and print quality may deteriorate.
Dot quality is automatically monitored and adjusted 10 times per second constantly adapting to temperature and humidity changes in the fast-moving canning environment. This keeps print quality high and reduces the frequency of cleaning.
Less-than-optimal state of particles
Optimal particle state
IP and MIL drop rated head printer head can withstand anything even the toughest of canning environments can throw at it.
FAQs
What Regulations Are There for Tracking and Traceability in the Canning Industry?
According to FDA Regulations (21 CFR Part 165), relating to consumable beverage bottling and canning manufacturing, a uniform lot code is required to be printed on all cans. In many cases a date code, or the date of manufacture is printed on the can, and this can function as the cans lot code. In many cases, a can may be inkjet printed with a lot code as well as an expiration/best if used by date for freshness.
What Makes the MK-G Series Superior to Other Conventional Inkjet Printers for High Speed Can Printing and Coding?
Not only is the controller IP rated, but the print head is also IP55 for improved durability in the wet and caustic environments of soda and beverage canning. Most conventional print heads are not IP rated, just the controller or body is rated.
Can the MK-G Series Be Mounted Vertically to Print Lot and Date Codes on the Bottom of Cans?
Commonly known as bottom coding, another challenge known in the canning industry, can be easily overcome with the MK-G Series industrial continuous inkjet printer. This is great for gravity fed and other similar canning lines that require printing on the bottom of the can.
Related Downloads
This guide explains continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer applications together with pictures and illustrations. It contains many installation examples in various industries divided into food, medicine, and cosmetics; electrical machinery and electronics; and automotive, metal, and others. These examples show printing on targets specific to each industry.
This is a technical guide describing basic knowledge of continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers from mechanisms such as the types, printing fundamentals, and internal structure, to running costs and legal compliance. Subsequent issues will also be available. By reading all of these issues, you can understand the entire overview of continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers.
