At the FachPack 2009, Nuremberg, Germany, KBA-Metronic will exhibit in hall 3, stand 207 and also within the special exhibitor area for ‘Cost Savings and Sustainability in Packaging’ in hall 4, stand 229. Interested visitors can view the very latest ink jet printers and laser coding systems as well as hot stamping devices and thermal transfer marking and coding solutions. What the KBA-Metronic coding systems all have in common is their simplicity of operation, flexibility for a wide range of applications and total reliability.

The alphaJET evo – setting high standards

The new ink jet printer alphaJET evo from KBA-Metronic is a new development, designed to meet the needs of the global marketplace. This totally programmable system is based on the continuous ink jet principle suitable for non-contact coding on to most substrates. The alphaJET evo boasts a robust, IP65-rated stainless-steel housing for even the most challenging environmental conditions. The KBA-Metronic designed solvent recovery unit, for dramatically lower solvent usage, is standard on the economical alphaJET evo.

The 10.4in TFT colour display leads the operator simply and intuitively. Because the tough touch panel tilts and is completely removable, it can be positioned according to the operator’s requirements.

The alphaJET evo’s unique ability to print truetype fonts without loss of speed is of huge importance to its users. This renders outdated logo editors and embedded graphics programs redundant. Logos and graphics can be created with a PC graphics program and transferred as a bitmap to the ink jet printer.

The latest laser coding systems from KBA-Metronic

The economic and compact laser system iCON i-1010 is ideal for small character coding applications for packaging, packed and industrial goods, and offers users a real alternative to traditional coding methods.

Thanks to their compact, sleek design with an integral control unit, the KBA-Metronic laser systems are uncomplicated and may be integrated on to most production lines. With continuous and intermediate operation both stationary and moving products can be permanently coded and the results are tamperproof. The laser system is a reliable and environmentally friendly solution without the requirement for additional consumables. It is ideal for the permanent and cost-effective coding of cardboard boxes, ceramic, wood and glass, metal, synthetic materials and paper.

State-of-the-art with laser markable labels

KBA-Metronic presents, in cooperation with Herma, the unique system solution for economic and safe coding with laser markable labels. Precisely in tune with each other, the two systems – the labeller H400 and the CO2 laser K-1000 – perform at speed with consistent reliability while still being economical. Print areas of up to 250mm x 250mm can be achieved either on the fly or while a product is stationary.

Contrary to alternative technologies, this coding system for laser markable labels operates on a non-contact basis. As laser systems work without consumables, operating costs are greatly reduced. The laser system is installed directly over the rigid beak and the last label can be printed and applied. The system is ideal for applying labels to cartons, outer cases and pallets.

The thermal transfer printer ttPRINT is a flexible all-rounder

The ttPRINT is a continuous and intermittent direct print module, designed for integration into horizontal and vertical packaging machinery. It is used for the coding of packaging materials with freely programmable variable data, in high resolution. Another advantage of the ttPRINT cassette system is that it takes up to 900m of thermal transfer ribbon, so that the number of ribbon changes and machine downtime is considerably reduced.

Moreover, another cost reduction is achieved through a transfer ribbon optimization function. The efficient ttPRINT Multiline is most suited to complex print message applications or indeed the printing of several smaller messages within multi-web packing machines. With three standard print head widths (53mm, 107mm and 128mm) and a ttPRINT control unit (IP65-rated) ttPRINT can be adapted to individual customer requirements.