Linx 6900 CIJ printers offer lower cost of ownership

The Linx 6900 is suitable for a wide range of product coding needs, thanks to its combination of reliability, ease of use, intelligence and attractive curves. A fully featured coder, the Linx 6900 can efficiently print up to five lines of text, graphics and barcodes at single printed line speeds of up to 8.4m/s. It is designed to provide simple operation to minimise the risk of costly mistakes and ensure reliable operation through its wash- and dust-proof enclosure design.

Linx sees the Linx 6900 as a means of permitting flexible configurations to meet changing coding needs more effectively. In addition to the standard model, Linx will also be exhibiting the the Linx 6900 Solver, the first printer to "think as it inks" and the Linx 6900 Spectrum, specially developed for pigmented ink types.

Linx 6900 Solver

Capable of reducing solvent usage by up to 40 per cent, the Linx 6900 Solver provides low cost of ownership while still maintaining excellent reliability. Using a new ink system and specially created intelligent software, the coder adapts to specific printing conditions by reducing solvent evaporation with the system and adjusting its operation according to the requirements of the code that is being printed. This dynamic operation is designed to be the most reliable solvent saving technique. Of the more traditional systems currently available, the "condense and recycle" method can affect the quality of the ink, while the "pulsed suction" process can cause ink to build up in the print head, which could mean more regular print head cleaning and increased downtime.

Linx believes that the new model will be of particular interest to large-scale users of CIJ technology who print without interruption. Rajiv Narayan, Product Manager at Linx, explains: "The standard Linx 6900 already delivers the lowest cost of ownership in the market today. Nevertheless, we have recognised that for those manufacturers who are continuously running multiple printers, solvent costs can soon add up and this is where the Linx 6900 Solver can give the greatest savings."

Linx 6900 Spectrum

Featuring a purpose-designed ink tank that mixes ink without the need for mechanical stirrers, the Linx 6900 Spectrum provides consistent code quality and contrast. In addition, the printer does not have to remain constantly powered and does not need to be drained before extended shutdowns, for further cost and time savings.

Alongside these will be the Linx 4900, designed to deliver a product coding device that is clean, simple and reliable to use in a wide range of applications. The printer provides one- or two-line coding at production line speeds of up to 6.25m/s and can also print simple graphics. Codes including date, time and shift information are easily created using a wide range of predefined formats and a simple user interface, reducing coding mistakes. The coder has been developed for long-term reliability and consistent performance, with a stainless steel enclosure and IP55 rating, automatic print head cleaning and power off and sealed fluid refills that do not require the printer to be opened in order to minimise mess and downtime.

CIJ inks

The printers will be demonstrating a wide range of Linx's specialist CIJ inks. The recently launched Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 offers excellent contrast and durability even in harsh environments. The ink is particularly suited to printing onto rubber and plastic, including PE and PVC substrates, making it excellent for cabling and pipe extrusions, industrial and automotive components and food and beverage packaging. Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 has been especially designed to deliver high quality and convenience in printing. Its fast drying time of approximately one second and good rub resistance are particularly useful for high-speed production lines.

In addition, this Linx ink provides exceptional long-term performance, an essential requirement for traceability and branding purposes. Linx Blue pigmented ink 1033 offers excellent contrast to barcode-readable standards, a high level of light fastness, resistance to solvents and retains legibility even after the substrate is subjected to prolonged heat damage. This makes it suitable for a range of specialist applications outdoors and in other harsh environments - for example, undersea cabling systems for the oil industry, or PE and PVC water pipes.

Other Linx CIJ inks on display include Linx clear security ink 3160, Linx black plastic-adherent ink 1014 and Linx high-opacity grey ink 1311. Linx clear security ink 3160 has been developed for discreet coding applications such as anti-counterfeiting or internal traceability. The ink is nearly invisible in normal light but fluoresces red under UV light. The distinctive colour of Linx clear security ink 3160 is achieved using a particular red dye, making imitation of the code even more difficult.

Linx black plastic-adherent ink 1014 has been specially designed to give excellent print quality and superior adhesion when printed onto plastics including those traditionally regarded as difficult for CIJ inks, such as nylon. This ink has excellent light-fastness and is resistant to high temperatures and a range of chemicals. These qualities make it suitable for applications such as cabling, plastic extrusions and mouldings and for many of the packaging materials used by the food and beverage industry including flow wrap, caps, closures, blister packs and bottles.

Linx high-opacity grey ink 1311 offers outstanding colour strength on a range of materials including rubber, PE and other plastics on which dye-based inks lose their definition. It provides excellent print quality and contrast on dark or light backgrounds. This offers flexible coding over a number of substrate colours. Printed codes will not fade for a number of years, making the ink suitable for marking products that will be stored outside for extended periods of time. The ink also has good heat resistance and withstands alcohol splashes, so it is recommended for printing alcohol-rich products. Linx High-opacity grey ink 1311 has been developed specifically for use in the Linx 6900 Spectrum printer.