The new technology means the coding of boxes can be carried out inline

 

At London-based brewery Fourpure Brewing Co, Linx has provided a solution for the coding of both primary and secondary packaging.

Fourpure is a family-run business founded in 2013. The company’s approach to exceptional brewing is focused on attention to detail, delivering innovation while staying true to the principles of brewing and respecting the four core beer ingredients – grain, yeast, hops and water – that were the inspiration behind its name.

A Linx 8900 continuous inkjet printer adds three lines of code onto the base of aluminium cans, which are subsequently packed into boxes, onto which two Linx TJ725 thermal inkjet printers apply product information and a barcode. The 8900 currently runs at 12,000 cans per hour, with the TJ725 coding 20 boxes per minute. 

The new technology means the coding of boxes can be carried out inline, delivering cost and time savings compared to the previous method of hand applying labels. For the coding of the cans, Linx Black fast-drying ink 1240 has been selected as it is able to withstand typical filling conditions such as dampness, humidity and water vapour.

A particular benefit of both printers is their ability to deliver high quality codes from the moment they start up, even if they are run intermittently. An autoflush system thoroughly cleans the printhead every time it is shut down for a fast and clean start up when next required.   

Both printers incorporate touchscreens for easy set-up and product changeovers. The cartridge system on the 8900 printer makes changing fluids a fast and simple process, while the TJ725 features a replaceable ink cartridge with integral printhead that can be removed and replaced by the operator. 

‘Changing fluids is really simple with the printer’s cartridge system, and set up and selection of codes are equally user-friendly,’ said Steve Morris, head of packaging. ‘Our packaging has to reflect our premium image and that means everything about it down to the smallest detail of the codes is about quality.’