Coder meets the need for speed and quality for Australian wine producer

A Linx TJ725 Thermal Inkjet Printer is meeting both the current and future requirements of a leading Australian drinks supplier with its combination of fast speeds, easy operation and high quality codes.

Patritti Wines produces a series of small batch, top-quality wines and juices both under its own brand and for customers’ own-label products. As part of a continuing upgrade of its facilities, the company had installed a new boxer on its production line and needed a coder that would not only match the line’s existing speed (around 300 boxes per hour) but also cope with faster speeds of up to 450 boxes per hour in the future. In addition, because many own-label products are exported, coding quality needed to high.

The Linx TJ725 printer, supplied by Linx distributor Matthews, is placed immediately after the boxer on the production line, coding onto generic cartons. It incorporates Linx’s Active Cartridge Care System that saves money and cuts waste by slowing the nozzle drying process. The nozzles are covered and protected when not in use and uncovered automatically when the first product is sensed, so the Linx TJ725 is ready to produce high quality prints as soon as they are needed. The coder can also sense how much ink is left and forecast the number of prints remaining.

The replaceable ink cartridge with integral printhead means there is no risk of expensive printhead repairs or replacement. Installing a new cartridge is a clear, simple process that takes seconds, and the machine then automatically detects the type of cartridge fitted, and adjusts for optimum printing performance.

The Linx TJ725 can print messages up to a height of 12.5mm, with a range of fonts and resolutions up to 300dpi, on line speeds of up to one metre per second. This means it is capable of running at far greater speeds than Patritti’s current production capacity, allowing the company to pursue plans for the further expansion and upgrading of its facilities.

The touch screen interface provides simple, intuitive configuration for easy message changeover. For operators, the colour screen clearly shows the message selected as it will be printed, reducing the risk of coding errors.

The Linx TJ725 also allows easy, tool-free, repositioning of the printhead, enabling the printer to be set up quickly and easily in the correct printing position during product changeovers, or when moving it between lines. The built-in speed sensor automatically detects both the line speed and direction, which means no separate encoder is needed, and this further simplifies set-up.

Of all the coders Patritti Wines considered, the Linx TJ725 stood out for its simplicity and modern features, as Paul Karavis, the company’s production manager, explained:

“The Linx TJ725 was certainly the best of the printers we looked at. It’s very simple to use, but clearly modern with its touch screen. Our operators found it easy to use – in fact, it was so simple, it was easy to work out ourselves before any training. The other thing is it’s reliable, and that’s what we’re after.”