Company: tna

Website: www.tnasolutions.com

Technology Snapshot: tna has announced the launch of the tna intelli-date 5, a high-speed thermal transfer overprint (TTO) date coder with airless design and integrated print code verification technology for continuously high-quality printing on flexible bags. Part of tna’s performance 5.0 ultra-high speed production concept, the new tna intelli-date 5 features an ultra-fast printhead movement that is able to increase throughput by up to 25% compared to previous models. Together with its simple, airless design, the new tna intelli-date 5 reduces product waste and costs, providing food manufacturers with the highest equipment reliability and performance at a low total cost of ownership.

Equipped with intelligent motion technology and a twin-belt electronic printhead, the new tna intelli-date 5 does not require any compressed air and provides more precise printhead pressure for consistently high-quality prints. Due to the date coder’s airless design there is no more intervention needed by the operator to adjust the air pressure, while the date coder’s unique printhead can be changed in less than 30 seconds, maximizing production uptime. In combination with a simple, easy-to-load cassette, this also means that the printer requires less wearing parts and there is no need for any additional mechanical devices to control ribbon tension, facilitating maintenance and eliminating any potential failure points.

Further production efficiencies are achieved by the date coder’s integrated iAssure technology. Featuring real-time image processing capabilities, the tna intelli-date 5 is able to automatically detect any common print defects, including those caused by ribbon creases, overprints or worn print surfaces. Any mismatch between the intended and the captured image will be evaluated on the spot and trigger an alert to minimize waste and reduce downtime. 

“Date coders are ideal for a wide range of flexible packaging applications,” comments Anurag Mitra, product marketing manager, tna. ”They’re incredibly versatile and can be used to meet a number of regulatory demands, including ingredient lists, nutrition statements, traceability information or use-by dates. Whatever the application, accuracy and consistency are key to ensure compliancy and avoid products being rejected. Our new tna intelli-date 5 date coder is the ideal solution for any food manufacturer who requires codes to be printed correctly, accurately and at high-speed, time after time.”

The tna intelli-date 5 was specifically designed to seamlessly integrate into tna’s robag series of high-speed vertical form fill and seal packaging systems. This also includes the ultra-high speed tna robag 5, where the tna intelli-date 5 date coder enables speeds of up to 300 bags per minute, transforming production line efficiencies by more than doubling the industry’s current average packaging speeds within a single, fully integrated and highly compact packaging solution.