Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 - Matthews Marking Products will demonstrate two new inkjet systems for marking and coding directly on porous materials, such as paper and cardboard: the entry-level SX 7/16 and the high-resolution IP 7000. Both products will be demonstrated for the first time at PMMI’s Pack Expo International 2006 show in Chicago at the Matthews/Holjeron booth # S-2174.

Also on display: three new controllers for conveyor systems from Matthews’ Holjeron subsidiary in Portland, OR; Matthews new low ink-consumption, high print-quality 8000 series Drop-on-Demand™ (DOD) inkjet printheads; and the high-resolution Coditherm direct thermal transfer printer with new touchscreen controller, permitting marking messages to be created via RS232, USB, Ethernet or wireless connection.


NEW, economical I-Mark™ SX 7/16 for 1- or 2-line water-based marking

The new compact, user-friendly SX 7 (for single line printing) and SX 16 (two-lines) are Matthews’ most economical systems, priced at less than 50% of the cost of the recently announced SX 32 system and less than 25% of the cost of previously available Matthews printers.

“ We achieved affordability without sacrificing reliability,” says Donna Meade, Product Manager of the SX line. The SX 7/16 printers use Matthews proprietary Drop-on-Demand (DOD) valve inkjet technology, capable of operating in challenging industrial environments where vibration and dust can interfere with less rugged printers. DOD printers also consume less ink than other technologies.

The new SX 7/16 also offers more memory than competing low-end carton marking systems. Character size ranges from ½ in. (1 line) to 1.5 in (2 lines) and the system can print on the top or sides of cartons.

The new printers are also easy to install and set up with the controller, printhead and ink system all integrated into one compact unit that simply needs to be plugged in. An icon -based menu and hot keys make the systems easy to operate. There is a low-ink warning indicator, and the pressurized ink canister (using Matthews X370 water-based ink) eliminates the need for an external ink pump.


New high-resolution IP 7000 eliminates need for labels

Matthews new high-end non-contact printer, the IP 7000, can print up to 32 lines of text (7 dots/line), logos, scannable bar codes and other symbols at 200 dpi horizontal/187 dpi vertical, operating at line speeds up to 1.4m (4.6 ft)/sec. Using piezo-electric element technology, the new printer is rugged enough to operate in challenging industrial environments. The printheads carry a 3-year warranty.

Designed to print on all types of porous packaging material, as well as on fabric, wood, pulp, concrete and other building products, the IP 7000 has a minimum print height of 2 mm and maximum print height of 100 mm ( 3.94” in.) per printhead – one of the highest in the industry.
Thanks to a re-circulating auto prime (RAP™) feature, the IP 7000 consumes 35% less ink than competing printers. RAP also eliminates the need for messy daily maintenance and use of solvents

With the IP 7000’s Ethernet capability, networking is as simple as installing a typical office printer. Users can upload changes via laptop by connecting directly to the printer controller on the production line; or transmit messages from their office PC via LAN. The software also determines how many times a particular message can be printed with one 500 cc ink bottle – giving the user the ability to modify the print message to achieve a higher print quantity or ink savings.


Holjeron’s three NEW controllers for conveyor systems

New ZL.S-C412 UBT controller – no programming required

Conveyor merge/divert/transfer functions are normally controlled by a PLC, which requires a significant investment in programming. Holjeron’s new UBT controller, the latest in its ZoneLink family of products, can easily be configured for either merge, divert or transfer mode through a serial port and is simply plugged into the line where needed. For higher-level supervisory control, the controller is available in a version that interfaces directly with a DeviceNet™ network.

New serial interface for ZPA conveyor line

Holjeron’s ZoneLink® .S technology allows distributed microprocessor-based controllers to communicate with each other, enabling users to configure and monitor a Zero Pressure Accumulation conveyor line easily and inexpensively. .S technology also provides predictive diagnostics and remote speed control.

Previously, DeviceNet was required to implement .S technology. Now, with the new ZL.S-F32 ZoneLink® Serial Interface Card, Holjeron has made it more affordable and convenient by permitting communication through a serial port on a PC or PLC.

New DK 100 Microroller® driver for cost-effective lock on speed

The third new product in Holjeron’s microprocessor-based control systems is a low-cost driver, the ZL-DK100 Microroller® driver, capable of setting and maintaining the speeds of adjacent conveyor zones to within ±1 RPM of each other – even under load -- with just the flick of a switch. Normally, matching speeds is labor-intensive and, therefore, expensive, as well as relatively imprecise.

“ Usually, operators would have to use a tachometer to match speed zone-to-zone. It’s a time-consuming process, and they’ll be lucky to match the speeds within a couple of feet per minute. Plus, the speed would fluctuate with the size of the load,” notes Holjeron’s Material Handling Industry Manager, Pete Shumway. “With the DK100, it’s easy to match and hold speeds to within ±1 motor RPM – which means that zone-to-zone speed will be identical to within a couple of inches per minute, even under load.”

This closed loop speed control has always been a feature of Holjeron’s higher-end controllers; now the ZL-DK100 makes it available for the same price as competing non-microprocessor-based control systems.


New Jet-a-Mark® 8000 series inkjet printheads – less ink consumption, higher quality print

Matthews latest Jet-a-Mark® Drop-on-Demand™ (DOD) printheads, the new 8000 series, offers high print quality at faster speeds (up to 780 fpm) while also lowering ink consumption by nearly 20% compared to previous Matthews DOD printheads. These improvements are the result of a unique Matthews design, using precision jewels set in a stainless steel faceplate. A wide variety of inks – including fast-drying VOC-free, pigmented, dye- and water-based inks for porous and non-porous substrates -- may be used with the new 8000 series heads.


Coditherm direct thermal transfer printer (600 dpi) – NEW touchscreen controller

Until now, high-resolution thermal transfer printing of bar codes, lot codes and other variable information has not been possible on uneven surfaces such as imperfectly milled plastic because direct contact with such materials quickly wears out a printhead. Coditherm uses a patented double-ribbon design that means the printhead itself never contacts the surface being printed. The mark is created electronically and is then transferred to a silicone-treated heated pad or roller which marks the product. The mark – up to 600 dpi -- is instantly dry.

New for Pack Expo, Coditherm is now available with a touchscreen controller, which permits messages for marking to be created via RS232, USB, Ethernet or wireless connection.

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