Continuous Inkjet Printers / Case Coder
Date/Serial Number Printing on Cartons
Cartons are one of the most versatile, cost-effective, and eco-friendly packaging solutions available. Given the wide range of shapes and uses, an easy to integrate and flexible printer is needed to mark data/serial numbers on various cartons for tracking and traceability.
The Versatility and Importance of Carton Packaging
Cartons have some distinct advantages. Most notably cost and then the structural protection they allow for compared to plastics. Cartons often have a much wider range of sizes and shapes compared to plastic packaging, mainly due to the structure allowed to be created with cardboard and other corrugate or paperboard materials. Smaller cartons like those of which you would find at the grocery store or pharmacy would often be boxes of dried goods or a milk style carton for liquids. Both would require primary carton printing for lot codes or date codes.
Coding Requirements for Primary and Secondary Cartons
Larger corrugated boxes for shipping or secondary packaging can require a large variety of logos, barcodes, text, and logistics information printed on them. KEYENCE offers printing solutions for both types of cartons that will reduce maintenance, increase throughput, and simplify printing operations for manufacturers packaging with cartons.
KEYENCE Solutions for Both Small and Large Cartons
Focusing on primary carton date code printing, the KEYENCE MK-G Series continuous inkjet printer can mark with exceptional quality regardless of the size and shape of the carton. The limiting factor in carton coding is often adhesion, print quality, and then printer reliability and ease of maintenance.
The scope of products that are put inside small carton boxes is vast, from strange and small shaped over the counter medications to a large milk carton. This variability requires an easy to use and flexible coding solution like the MK-G Series printer. With an intuitive touch screen, guide LED showing exactly where the print will land, ability to mount in any orientation, and incredible print quality regardless of print distance, there is no better date code and serial number printer for small cartons.
Fast-Drying Ink for Maximum Adhesion
For print quality and adhesion, quick drying ink is applied and will dry on most paper and corrugate based cartons in well under a second. Even nonporous coatings and lamination should still be easy to mark on. KEYENCE is happy to complete sample printing tests to ensure adhesion and find the best ink for the application. A complex system of measurements and adjustments also keeps ink in perfect condition for consistent and reliable printing all day every day.
Particle state:
If the optimum ink state is not maintained, the inside of the head may become dirty, and print quality may deteriorate.
An onboard viscometer and fourth tank ensure ink is in the optimal state and then a sensor in the print head monitors and changes break point as needed ten times per second. This allows for perfect codes even in the varying environments cartons are packaged in as well as reduced cleaning and maintenance resulting from splatter and low ink quality.
Less-than-optimal state of particles
Optimal particle state
Without conditioning tank
When washing is performed, the ink viscosity decreases.
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1Main tank
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2Ink tank
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3Solvent tank
MK-G Series
The conditioning tank is used for temporary storage to prevent dilution of the ink.
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1Main tank
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2Viscosity sensor
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3Conditioning tank
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4Ink cartridge
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5Solvent cartridge
Automated Maintenance and Easy Operation
Lastly, an integrated smart docking system acts as an onboard maintenance technician. Performing simple preventative maintenance and troubleshooting all at the push of a button. For replacement parts and advanced troubleshooting, on board walk throughs and videos make anyone a printer expert.
No other CIJ can provide the flexibility and reliability needed to print lot/date codes on products in cartons.
For more information on secondary packaging and KEYENCE’s solution for case coding on larger cartons and corrugate boxes, check out the CC-1000 Series case coder.
FAQs
How Do KEYENCE CIJ Print Date Codes on Milk Cartons and Other Nonstandard Shapes?
The uniquely shaped print head can fit closer to concave shapes like a milk carton as well as be mounted in any orientation for superior flexibility in mounting and printing on cartons. Additionally, the 35 mm 1.38" throw distance option allows for the printer to cover any gaps or concave areas with ease and superior quality print.
Why Is Date and Serial Number Coding Important for Cartons?
Expiration dates are often critical, and FDA required for food and drug products. Failure to properly print lot and date code data on the carton can lead to recalls, supply chain, and traceability issues.
Related Downloads
![Process-specific Marking Applications [Food/Pharmaceutical Industry]](/img/asset/AS_133442_L.jpg)
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.
