Introducing Uniquely Flexible, New I-Mark EZ Touch V80 Ink-Jet System and New Windows-Style Software for Other Marking Systems at PELV 2003

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 13, 2003 - Matthews International will demonstrate for the first time the newest member of its I-Mark™ family of drop-on-demand ink-jet printing controllers, as well as new Windows-style software for three best-selling controllers, at PMMI's Pack Expo Las Vegas 2003 in the company's booth #C-1247. The new I-Mark EZ Touch V80 controller is the only one on the market providing independent control of printing attributes, such as dot size, character height, print width, etc, of up to eight different kinds of printheads. Matthews' S.C.I. F.I.™ 3400, DOD™ 5400 and R44 printer controllers will be demonstrated with new Windows-style software. In addition, the R44 has a new quick-command front panel for easier access to perform basic printer maintenance.

New I-Mark EZ Touch V80 printer controller for end users
Capable of printing up to eight lines each from .125 in. to 2/5 in. high at a maximum speed of 700 feet per minute (fpm), the new I-Mark EZ Touch V80 can control up to eight mix-and-match ink-jet printheads independently. The first of Matthew's I-Mark controllers designed for end users, rather than OEMs, the I-Mark EZ Touch V80 is also exceptionally easy to use, with a full-color, Windows-based touch screen interface. The ability to control each printhead's attributes independently gives the user unprecedented marking flexibility. This controller may be used for bar codes, graphics, logos, sequential and batch numbering, remote messaging, fonts up to 16x10 high and many other formats.

New I-Mark OEM Controller V80i for OEM integration
The I-Mark V80i OEM Controller is Matthews first ink-jet controller that is purposefully designed for OEM and System Integrator applications. It has the ability to control up to four Drop-on-Demand printheads independently (std. valve or 3000 series, 4 x 7 valve or 2 x 16 valve, up to 32 valves). The V80i offers a broad range of connectivity and seamless integration, making it an ideal controller for machine builders and system integrators who want to take ownership of a turnkey system. The command format to program the V80i is an ASCII protocol that is designed to be used with dumb terminal devices, host computers or PLC's with ASCII capability. Up to 64 V80i controllers can be networked together.
The V80i includes a set of controller boards housed in an aluminum enclosure, a product manual, and a protocol communications manual. A set-up utility kit that includes a pc-based graphical user interface for getting and setting properties along with a communications cable is an optional, but recommended, accessory. Supplying power to the controller would be the responsibility or the OEM or system integrator.

New Windows-style software for
S.C.I. F.I.™ 3400, DOD 5400 and R44 Controllers
Ease of use has been greatly enhanced by the new Windows-style software being demonstrated on three of Matthews' best-selling controllers at Pack Expo: the Small Character Ink-Jet For Industry™ (S.C.I. F.I.) 3400, the Drop-on-Demand™ (DOD) 5400 for large character ink-jet marking and the R44 Controller for mixing small and large characters using Matthews DOD technology. The new software features pull-down menus, a large display with easy-to-read characters, help key on every screen for every function, shortcuts to frequently used tools and the ability to create personalized program favorites.

Now, achieve print quality up to 60 dpi with Matthews' new 32-valve printhead
Introducing, for the very first time, a unique, drop-on-demand valve printhead with 32 valves. This new 3000 series printhead expands the capabilities of our new S.C.I. F.I. 3400 small character ink-jet printer. Now, users can print from one to five lines of characters at speeds up to 400 fpm. This new printhead also features a three-way valve to enable easy flushing of solvents and ink.


For additional information on Matthews International Pack Expo Las Vegas exhibit, contact Michelle Spaulding, Matthews International Corporation, Marking Products Division, 6515 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Telephone: 412-665-2500. Fax: 412-365-2042.