Chicago, IL, September 6, 2006 – Matthews Marking Products will demonstrate its new low-cost, user-friendly inkjet printhead controller, the I-Mark™ SX32, ideal for manufacturing applications, at the IMTS 2006 show in the company’s booth #B-6510 (North Hall) McCormick Place September 6-13. Also being demonstrated are: Matthews new traversing AXIJET ink jet system that can move along as many as six axes of motion; the I-Mark™ V80 and V80i industrial marking systems with independent control of up to eight printheads; and the ProPoint 2331 programmable stylus, indenting system for marking metal and hard plastic surfaces.

I-Mark™ SX32 low-cost, low-maintenance, expandable printhead controller

The new SX32 controller is the first in the industry to combine the low-maintenance reliability of Matthews’ Drop-on-Demand™ (DOD) printheads, capable of operating in harsh industrial environments, with affordability and a user-friendly interface. “Until now, Matthews’ strongest attribute was our heavy-duty printhead design and sophisticated ink development, but we wanted to offer a more affordable and easy-to use controller for lower-end applications,” explains Donna Meade, SX32 Product Manager. “The new SX32 controller meets that need and is the first to give users reliable operation, reduced maintenance, a wide range of inks, user-friendly interface and a relatively low price. The two letters, S and X, stand for simple and expandable.” The new controller may be used with a wide range of enhanced valve or traditional DOD printheads to produce high-quality graphics, logos, datecodes from 0.09” to 5” high on porous and non-porous substrates. Matthews offers a variety of proprietary pigmented inks for use on dark or light surfaces. The company recently introduced several VOC-free inks, to help packagers reduce overall VOC emissions. The new controller’s icon-based user interface has password-protected user levels, graphics, date and time functions, counters and an integrated keyboard with hot keys for frequently used functions. Capable of controlling up to four printheads, the SX 32 is expandable and enables double-sided marking of graphics and text. It may be bench or wall-mounted.

Matthews Marking Products’ new SX32 inkjet printhead controller is shown with Matthews 3000 series 32-valve Drop-on-Demand (DOD) printhead. The versatile new controller also may be used with a wide range of printheads to produce high-quality graphics, logos, datecodes from 0.09” to 5” high on porous and non-porous substrates. I-Mark™ SX32 sample mark on tan corrugated

The new traversing AXIJET from Matthews moves along 2-6 axes to mark stationary objects. The model being demonstrated at IMTS traverses along two - horizontal and vertical – axes of motion. The resulting mark can be from 2.5 in. to 25 ft. wide. Recently, Matthews Integrated Solutions Group (ISG) installed a turnkey system for applying 25 ft. wide graphics on aluminium extrusions. Offering everything from database integration and software interfaces to customized material handling, the ISG has created hundreds of turnkey systems for manufacturers of metals, building materials, electronic components, cell phones and many other products.

Matthews Marking Products’ new AXIJET traversing inkjet system can move along up to six axes of motion to mark stationary products.

I-Mark™ V80 and V80i user-friendly, industrial marking systems

Matthews I-Mark™ V80 marking system uses the company’s rugged DOD valve technology, reliable in even challenging industrial environments where vibration and dust can harm more sensitive printing technologies. The V80 provides independent control of up to eight printheads for maximum flexibility and a full-color, Windows-based touchscreen interface. Backup and restore are easily accomplished using a Flash memory card. The V80i model is for OEMs and system integrators, offering all of the V80 marking functions with a low-cost network controller.

For more information on Matthews marking/identification products, contact Michelle Spaulding, Matthews Marking Products, 6515 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Telephone (412) 665-2488, fax (412) 365-2042, website: www.matthewsmarking.com.