As the confectionery industry shows signs of tentative growth, it is an opportune time to re-evaluate your production machinery and ensure it is up to the task. Among the various confectionery coding technologies available to apply best before dates and batch codes onto your bars, bags, and boxes of candy, laser coding is emerging as the preferred choice for high-speed flow wrap applications.
What is Laser Coding?
Laser coding involves a laser beam interacting with the surface of your packaging to leave a precise mark. This non-contact method maintains the integrity of the packaging while marking coated card or metal, glass, and various plastics. Its ability to work at extremely high speeds makes it the coder of choice for high-volume, 24/7 manufacturers.
Benefits of Laser Coding Over Hot Stamping
For some manufacturers, ink stamping remains in place for niche, lower volume products. However, it has drawbacks, such as being a slow, contact method of coding, making it difficult to speed up your line in response to demand. Here’s how laser coding outperforms hot stamping:
- Fast Printing
- Laser coding operates at high speeds, up to around 600 bars a minute, depending on the application. Scribing lasers are designed to keep pace with fast-moving lines, ensuring that product codes are not stretched as the line speed increases. Additionally, they can signal to the line equipment if the line speed is excessive, so corrective action can be taken, eliminating waste generated by poor-quality codes.
- Quality Laser Codes
- Ink used in hot stamping can be slow to dry, risking smudging after coding when the product is handled or packed. Laser coding uses no ink, so there is never a risk of smudging. It can print a wide variety of fonts and match your product packaging for a premium look. A recent Linx study found that three-quarters of respondents would not buy a product with a smudged or illegible code, highlighting the importance of quality coding to meet consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
- Quick Code Changes for Minimum Downtime
- Code changes on a hot stamp coder are time-consuming, requiring the coder to cool and the typeface to be changed manually for each batch change. Modern laser coders, however, often use a large, color touch screen, allowing messages to be selected from the internal memory at the press of a button. New codes can be created quickly and easily, with automatic code changes triggered by a PLC or the laser coder itself for dynamic production dates.
- Laser Coding onto Coated Film and Foil
- 30W CO2 lasers are particularly effective for high-speed, flow wrap lines for printing onto coated materials like foil and film. Laser coding is permanent, and with no fluids involved, there is no risk of smudging, even on fast lines. Linx testing has revealed that a 10.2µm tube gives the best results on laminated flow wrap, maintaining the integrity of the packaging even as manufacturers develop ever thinner materials.
- Easy Integration
- Integrating laser printing into your current setup is now easier than ever. With detachable marking heads and increasingly compact laser units, laser coders are becoming more flexible, fitting into tight production spaces, even inside flow wrap machines.
Premium Support and Maintenance with Linx Continuous Ink Jet Printers
When you purchase Linx continuous inkjet printers from Factronics USA, you not only get cutting-edge technology but also premium support and maintenance services. Our team ensures your equipment runs smoothly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. With Factronics USA, you have a reliable partner to help you navigate the complexities of production and ensure your coding technology meets the highest standards.
As the confectionery industry looks set to grow and diversify, manufacturers can harness the power of laser coders to ensure their batch codes meet new market expectations. Laser coding brings opportunities for organizations to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain high standards of product quality. With Factronics USA providing premium support and maintenance, you can confidently invest in laser coding technology to drive your confectionery production forward.
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Contact Factronics USA today at (305) 888-6714 for a FREE demo with our local service reps. One of our biggest advantages is that if you are in any of the south-eastern states such as Florida or Georgia, Factronics USA can come to you and offer a free demo of the Linx 10! If you do decide to purchase, we guarantee superb service backed by integrity and expertise that is also nearby. We can assist you in picking out the industrial solutions that are best suited for your application and we offer financially flexible payment plans if needed – working to get you both the best products and service at the best price.
About Factronics USA
Founded in the year 2000, Factronics USA is a trusted provider of cutting-edge packaging coding solutions and inspection systems. With over 35 years of industry experience, we specialize in delivering high-quality and reliable industrial printing solutions that enhance business performance across a diverse range of industries, materials, and operational needs.
At Factronics USA, we understand the critical role that efficient industrial equipment plays in enhancing productivity. Our comprehensive portfolio encompasses a wide array of industrial equipment solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of manufacturing processes and beyond. From food and beverage packaging to precision medical equipment, our innovative printing and packaging solutions are designed to elevate speed and efficiency within your workspace.
As part of our commitment to excellence, Factronics USA proudly partners with industry leaders like Linx to provide top-tier solutions. The Linx brand embodies the pinnacle of quality and innovation in the field of industrial coding and marking. By integrating Linx products into our offerings, we ensure that our customers benefit from state-of-the-art technology that simplifies their industrial equipment needs.
Our dedicated team is committed to simplifying the industrial equipment procurement process for our customers. From initial consultation to implementation and ongoing support, Factronics USA is here to guide you every step of the way. We believe that industrial equipment should not be a source of complexity but rather a catalyst for your success.
Experience the difference with Factronics USA and discover how our partnership with Linx can transform your operations. Contact us today to find the perfect solution that meets your specific requirements, and let us assist you from start to finish!