Different production lines create different coding challenges. Food and beverage packaging may prioritize dates and batch information, glass bottles require careful ink and substrate testing, while wire and cable manufacturing can demand continuous high-speed and small-character coding. Selecting the correct CIJ solution therefore requires evaluating the complete application rather than choosing equipment from a single specification.
Food Production
Focus on:
Production dates
Expiration dates
Batch information
Suitable ink selection
Production-line speed
Beverage Production
Consider:
Glass Bottle Applications
Pay particular attention to:
Surface condition
Ink selection
Printing position
Actual adhesion testing
Production speed
The catalog does not provide quantitative glass-adhesion specifications, so sample testing is important.
Wire and Cable
Evaluate:
The approximately 0.8 mm minimum character capability can be particularly relevant where coding space is restricted.
High-Speed Lines
Do not select a printer using maximum speed alone.
Evaluate:
Line Speed + Message Length + Number of Lines + Character Size + Substrate + Ink + Automation
Smart Factory Requirements
If coding information needs to interact with production systems, evaluate PC, PLC and MES communication requirements.
Conclusion
The right CIJ solution is the one configured around the real product and production line.
For food, beverage, glass bottle and cable applications, manufacturers should combine printer performance, ink selection, production speed, coding content and automation requirements into one complete industrial identification solution.
