TIJ vs CIJ: Which is the Best Coding Solution for Multilane Protein Packaging Machines?

The challenges of adding variable codes to products in protein packaging plants are well known, some of which are:

• The cold temperatures
• Wash down and sanitation
• Maintaining print quality
• Tackling downtime
• Being prepared for the new GS1 2D barcodes

While continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers have often been used for these applications, thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers offer several advantages that are discussed in this article.

Everything is magnified on packaging equipment such as thermoformers and horizontal form fill seal machines (HFFS), where multiple packages need to be coded at the same time.

Why are these machines more complicated?

The bottom roll (the forming web) is where the product is placed, before the top web is applied to finish the pack.

There are usually multiple packages across the machine, and a machine cycle usually indexes several packages in the feed direction. There are usually multiple packages across the machine, and a machine cycle usually indexes several packages in the feed direction.

There are usually multiple packages across the machine, and a machine cycle usually indexes several packages in the feed direction.

This graphic shows a 3-across configuration, which would usually be indexed 2 or more rows per cycle – meaning that multiple packs need to have variable information added each machine cycle.

In most cases, the variable information is added to the top web before it joins the forming web.

This graphic illustrates a 3-across configuration and the two common orientations for variable printing.

How is the printing achieved?

The parent multilane machines are usually intermittent motion, after indexing the web, the machine pauses while the protein products are loaded, then the web is indexed for the next cycle. The parent multilane machines are usually intermittent motion, after indexing the web, the machine pauses while the protein products are loaded, then the web is indexed for the next cycle.

Because of the number of packages that need to be printed each machine cycle, either multiple printers need to be employed, or have the print heads mounted to a traversing system that moves them across the web while printing.

Using multiple stationary printheads

When the print is inline with the film feed direction, stationary printheads can be installed, that print when the film is moving. While using multiple CIJ printheads is possible, this means having to install multiple complete printers, amplifying the drawbacks of CIJ, such as:

• Time needed for maintenance and cleaning
• Poor print quality – not suitable for GS1 2D barcodes
• Having to store, manage and dispose of hazardous substances used in inks and for cleaning
• Ink spills around packaging areas

On the other hand, thermal inkjet printheads from Automated Marking, Inc. are compact, self-contained, easy to integrate and offer other benefits:

• Hi-resolution printing at higher quality, for both text and barcodes
• Virtually zero maintenance leading to reduced downtime and increased packaging line efficiency.
• No expensive core replacements or service plans
• Fast ink color change for different packaging applications
• No hazardous inks or solvents to deal with
• IP65 rated versions for demanding environments encountered in protein plants

Traversing printheads

As with using multiple printers, TIJ printers lend themselves to being integrated into linear traversing systems. The small size and light weight of TIJ printers make them easier to install and manage than the long, heavy umbilicals on CIJ printers.

These traversing applications are normally used when the print is perpendicular to the feed of the film and the printing is done while the film is stationary.

Final thoughts

While thermal inkjet printers have clear advantages over legacy CIJ systems in protein plants, the benefits are amplified when it comes to printing codes on multilane applications.

Automated Marking, Inc. is your partner for thermal inkjet printing systems, engineered in Germany to improve print quality while enabling a cleaner and more efficient operating environment.