EuroWire July 2015

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July 2015 40
News
Technology
Videojet’s answer to
ultra-small printing
Manufacturers in the electronics, components and cable
sectors, as well as other industries requiring ultra-small
printing capabilities, can now benefit from high quality micro
printing with advanced uptime thanks to the new 1650 High
Resolution (HR) and 1620 HR Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers
from Videojet Technologies. Enhanced micro printing capabilities
of the new printers achieve high-resolution, quality printing of
characters as small as 0.6mm in height, and speeds of up to 348
metres per minute. The 40 micron nozzle enables the 1650 HR
and 1620 HR systems to print 2D bar codes and highly legible
alphanumeric multiline codes at high speeds on integrated
circuits, small-diameter cables, and other products with limited
printing space, optimising traceability for manufacturers without
compromising line productivity.
The new HR micro printers build off the successful Videojet 1000
Line platform and the application-tested ‘Ultra-High-Speed’ nozzle
innovations that Videojet released in 2013. With tens of thousands
of successful installations, the 1000 Line platform continues to
be the standard for CIJ uptime performance. The new HR printer
nozzle leverages the proprietary Precision Ink DropTM technology
which allows the nozzle to operate at over 100,000 drops per
second via the advanced high frequency printhead design,
which together with sophisticated software algorithms modifies
the flight path of individual ink drops for optimal code quality.
Anthony Blencowe, business unit director for CIJ at Videojet
Technologies, said: “Manufacturers using micro print place a
premium on print quality. The 1650 HR and 1620 HR incorporate
these enhancements plus specialised rasters to overcome the
print quality challenges inherent in shortened character heights
and fast line speeds. Manufacturers can now print more data with
better legibility, at faster line speeds, often in the same, limited
print area.”
The new HR printers feature Videojet patented CleanFlow™
technology, which reduces ink build-up on nozzle ends, enabling
the printers to run longer than traditional micro printing
systems between nozzle cleaning intervals, significantly cutting
maintenance requirements. The printhead offers automated
cleaning, supporting faster system start-ups even after extended
line shut downs, increasing production uptime. An internal
pump eliminates the need for external air, lowering the risk of
contaminants in the ink stream, further boosting print consistency.
Complementing the advanced nozzle technology, the HR printers
use a range of specialised halogen-free inks, which offer abrasion,
temperature and chemical resistance. All inks can be used on
RoHS-compliant products (EC 2011/65/EU Annex II) to meet the
specific needs of the electronics industry.
In common with the other 1000 Line Videojet CIJ printers, the
1650 HR and 1620 HR solutions feature the Smart Cartridge™
fluid system that helps to ensure that only the correct ink is
selected for each product, supporting electronics and wire and
cabling manufacturers who may be using multiple ink types. The
printers use a needle and septum to draw ink from each cartridge,
eliminating the risk of spillages and reducing waste. To meet
manufacturers’ specific operational needs, both HR systems offer
unique features to aid functionality for line personnel. The 1650
HR features the Videojet exclusive CLARiTY™ touchscreen, which
offers built-in productivity tools to help boost OEE and enhance
line efficiency. The 1620 HR comes with a keypad interface that is
robust and easy to use with minimal training, facilitating simple
and speedy product changeovers.
Videojet Technologies – UK Website: