Cross-web Product Coding for Flexible Packaging

If you package your products using a horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) or thermoforming machine, you probably have to add date and production codes to multiple packs across the web. The cross-web product coding solution you install is an important part of your complete system.

Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers have been proven to be an excellent choice for this kind of coding, compared to legacy printers they offer improved print quality, less downtime for maintenance, and lower overall operating costs.

Of course, since there are multiple packages that need to be coded for each cycle of the packaging machine, some thought has to be given as to how best to accomplish this.

In many cases, it makes sense to use multiple TIJ printheads – one for each row of products across the web. We have integrated many systems that use this technique.

Sometimes, the best solution is to use the minimum number of printheads (often just one) and use a traversing system to move the printer across the web, printing during the parent machine dwell-time as the products are loaded into the packages.

Our Greydon servo-controlled traversing systems are ideal for this, being engineered specifically to be integrated into any brand of horizontal packaging machine.

Combining the Greydon traverse with TIJ printheads from ID Technology or Code Tech, produces a totally integrated coding system, designed with flexibility for applications where the tooling pattern for the products is often changed.

For the protein industry, Greydon systems are supplied with a high level of environmental protection, to cope with the cold and damp conditions that are often encountered. For additional peace of mind, our TIJ printers are available in washdown versions as well.

Greydon systems are also often used for adding variable data such as date/lot codes, UDI/DSCSA barcodes, and compliance logos to medical device and pharmaceutical packaging, where the high-quality print helps to stay in regulatory compliance.

If you need to integrate variable data printing into your packaging operations, whether using paper, Tyvek, foils, or films, Greydon has solutions that can help.

Greydon solutions for cross-web printing include thermal inkjet (TIJ), continuous inkjet (CIJ), thermal transfer, and high-resolution digital inkjet.

We have the resources of ProMach to ensure you succeed. If you want to learn more about Greydon printing solutions, contact us today. Call 717-848-3875 or e-mail Greydon@ProMachBuilt.com, we look forward to working with you.