Company: Xaar

Website: www.xaar.com

Technology Snapshot: This year's premier packaging show, Interpack 2017 (May 4-10, Dusseldorf, Germany), featured a number of new Coding & Marking printer launches incorporating Xaar technology. Macsa ID, RN Mark and Squid Ink all launched coders using the Xaar 502 printheads featuring Xaar's PrecisionPlus and TF Technology. This high resolution printhead ensures Coding and Marking OEMs can offer a premium, fast, reliable, high contrast coder fit for the challenges of the printing environment.

On show at Interpack:

• Macsa ID launched the idJET by Macsa, the new High Resolution Large Character Solution which includes the Xaar 502 printheads. The new idJET printers by Macsa are suitable for a wide range of large character coding applications.
• RN Mark showcased a range of Xaar printers using the Xaar 502, which included the RN Mark 7, capable of small and large character, network based control over WIFI and or Lan connection, printing high resolution barcodes, GS1 and anti-counterfeit coding. This is a reliable, low cost, industrial inkjet printer, requiring a minimal amount of maintenance.
• Squid Ink showed the CoPilot 500 Hi-Resolution Printing System, incorporating the Xaar 502. This coder uses proven Xaar piezo technology to print up to 70 mm of high resolution characters, razor-sharp text, scannable bar codes, and great looking logos at 185 dpi.  With the CoPilot 500, users can expect a number of benefits, including 25% larger print compared to the CoPilot 382, increased throw distance, faster print speeds, large volume ink supply, and the ability to upgrade to a second printhead.

The Xaar 502 GS15O printhead utilizes Xaar's latest piezoelectric drop-on-demand bulk technology actuator design, PrecisionPlus, which provides a long throw distance and increases stability and robustness of the printhead. Combined with the optimized nozzle guard to support automated maintenance routines, this printhead is ideally positioned for use in demanding and harsh factory environments.

Also incorporated into the Xaar 502 is Xaar's unrivalled TF Technology, which can be run in full through flow mode or pulsed mode. This optional new mode recirculates ink behind the nozzles during non-printing periods only, ensuring maximum reliability, excellent performance, high energy efficiency and market-leading printhead lifespan.

PrecisionPlus and TF Technology enable fully optimized actuator performance supporting printing in multiple orientations, such as skyscraper (vertical printing) mode, delivering high drop volume as well as accurate drop placement for exceptional print quality, high speed of print and excellent reliability.

The Xaar 502 GS15O is compatible with a range of oil-based inks popular for use in Coding & Marking applications, including the latest addition to Xaar's ink portfolio, black mineral oil-free (MOF) SunJet IK822. This ink is designed for use on secondary packaging, delivering high quality and optical density on a wide range of porous and semi-porous substrates. As this ink is vegetable oil-based rather than mineral-oil based it offers two key benefits: improved handling safety and easy break down during recycling. This is of particular interest to environmentally and safety conscious brand owners and retailers.

"With the combination of Xaar 502 GS15O and the SunJet MOF ink, we feel we have the premium piezo inkjet Coding & Marking offering that provides not only consistently high resolution and reliability but also high contrast on porous and semi-porous substrates," says Simon Kirk, senior product manager at Xaar. "The Xaar 502 GS15O gives a Coding and Marking OEM the ability to provide a cost-effective piezo coder offering that can achieve a 70 mm print swathe, a highly accurate drop placement and a higher throw distance than previously achieved with Xaar printheads, whilst maintaining productivity."