Manufacturers in various industries require quality marking and coding equipment to incorporate the use of codes and labels into their products. Aside from providing product details that consumers consider important, marking and coding machines also help businesses comply with regulatory requirements.
While there’s no question about the importance of codes, labels, and markings in products, choosing the correct marking and coding equipment that best suits your product may not be as straightforward as it should be for some. To help you, listed in this article are the factors that you need to consider in finding a suitable machine for your needs.
Important Considerations in Choosing Marking and Coding Machines
Print quality
Quality should be a primary consideration when choosing marking and coding machines — and basically any industrial equipment. Fortunately, the availability of machines that use advanced coding and marking technology is no longer limited.
Elixir’s products include Matthews Marking Systems’ range of marking and coding machines that use innovative software and quality inks to give you the best codes, graphics, and text on various types of packaging and substrates.
Speed and efficiency
Speed and efficiency go hand in hand. Both are crucial in the success of manufacturing processes. Marking and coding equipment with optimized technology can guarantee speed and may influence the cost-efficient use of materials and other resources. Likewise, it can prevent idle time in the work area to ensure improved productivity.
Type of materials and substrates
The coding and marking process may be affected by the type of material a product will use. Materials and substrates matter when determining the type of ink or even the type of printer used.
Some materials are highly porous and the adhesive quality of inks usually varies. These are some factors that will affect how well the ink will adhere to the surface.
Condensation from the content
Some products have high condensation and this could also impact how marking and coding equipment works. Aside from the surface substrate, the condensation from the content of the packaging must also be considered. For instance, a high-adhesion ink would be essential for products like frozen foods and cold drinks as these goods could acquire some water on the surface which will make it difficult for ink to properly adhere to the package.
Surface shape
Product surfaces vary and there are marking and coding equipment that effectively works for various surfaces. Contact and non-contact coding and marking printers may be used on flat surfaces while non-contact marking equipment such as inkjet and laser printers may be used to label curved surfaces.
Manufacturing Environment
Lastly, you have to consider the environment in your manufacturing plant as it will have an effect on how your marking and coding equipment will endure various work conditions. It will affect its durability and service life. A wet or dusty environment would require proper care and maintenance for your machine. Regular checkups and clean up must be done to ensure optimal functioning and longevity.
ALSO READ: Reasons Why Marking and Coding Equipment are Integral to Your Operations
Elixir Industrial Equipment offers Continuous Inkjet printers, laser coders, and marking equipment that can print on a wide range of surfaces and substrates. Let us help make your processes more cost-efficient. Contact us today so we can discuss your requirements.