Post Date: February 19, 2020

Minimize Downtime During Batch Changeover

The growing demand for product individualization and mass customization is changing manufacturing processes.  Small batch production – down to lot size one – requires businesses to implement smart strategies and technologies for lean production and variant management.

Time eaters may also lurk in labeling and marking processes along your production and logistics lines:  Product diversity typically entails frequent changeover of equipment and settings. This leads to downtime at the expense of your efficiency.

If you want to increase productivity, make sure to use labeling and marking systems that reduce set-up times in the best possible way. In this article, we introduce you to a few compelling solutions from AT Information Products.

Markoprint® Integra Quadro

Industrial inkjet printers are a cost-effective solution to apply variable codes onto packaging and pre-printed labels. Our Markoprint® Integra Quadro is a space-saving control unit for up to four inkjet print heads. They can be used simultaneously or alternately for four different printing positions – for example, on both primary and secondary packaging or on two independent production lines. Depending on print content and printing technologies, Markoprint® can run at speeds up to 240 m/min at 300 dpi. 

Print settings and label data can easily and quickly be changed via the intuitive control unit, right at the production line. The powerful Markoprint® idesign software for message making and administration of print images is included with the purchase.

AUTOPRINT Ink Management System (AIMS)

 The AUTOPRINT Ink Management System (AIMS) is a robust bulk ink management system for high volume packaging operations.  It’s designed to increase printing efficiency and reduce the cost of each print copy.

The system automatically feeds a total of 700 ml of ink simultaneously to one or more printheads.  AIMS includes a control box which holds two HP industrial bulk ink supplies, the ink flow regulators and a printhead connector cartridge.  

With the dual ink supplies, the operator can replace an empty bulk supply without shutting down the production line.  This ‘hot swap’ capability makes changeovers painless and efficient.

HP SmartCard Technology

Markoprint® industrial coders come with a SmartCard microcontroller which reads the chip on the ink cartridge in order to identify ink type, firing parameter requirements, and remaining ink level. These capabilities help the customer achieve quick changeovers and ink color swaps.

If you are looking for ways to boost efficiency within your production and logistics, we will be happy to advise you on all questions around label imprinting and industrial marking!