MATTHEWS DEMONSTRATES NEW THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTERS, NEW CONTINUOUS INK-JET PRINTERS, AND NEW DROP-ON-DEMAND INK-JET CONTROLLER AT PACK EXPO 2008

Chicago, IL November 9, 2008 – Matthews Marking Products is introducing two new models of its high-speed 300 dpi Swing thermal transfer printer and two new continuous ink-jet (CIJ) printers for small character coding: the new economical KN380 – believed to be the lowest priced CIJ on the market - and the newly enhanced I-Mark™ C84e, at Pack Expo 2008 in booth S-2647 at Chicago’s McCormick Place November 9-13.

Matthews will also demonstrate a wide range of recently introduced printing controllers, printheads and systems, including the high-resolution IP-7000, the Coditherm thermal transfer printer for high-quality printing on rigid and uneven surfaces, two members of the simple, expandable and economical I-Mark™ SX family of Drop on Demand (DOD) valve ink-jet printers (the SX16 and newly expanded SX32e with 8000 series printheads), as well as both the end-user and new OEM versions of the higher performance I-Mark™ V84 DOD valve ink-jet printers. ; The e-SolarMark FL fiber laser printer for permanent marking on metalized or plastic materials will also be shown.

New Swing thermal transfer printers – intermittent and continuous motion

Available for intermittent (Swing.ie) and continuous applications (Swing 2.ce), the newest models of Matthews Swing thermal transfer printer provides high-quality (up to 300 dpi) instantly dry printing of variable information directly on plastic packaging film or porous packaging materials, such as Tyvek for medical packaging.  The Swing printers offer the highest speed in the thermal transfer category – up to 197 ft/min. with the continuous motion Swing2.ce model. 

Bar codes, date/lot codes, logos and other messages may be printed in real time, using the color touchscreen, USB port or industry standard labeling software or Easycode software are available from Matthews.  Ethernet and wireless communications options are available for sending and printing messages, enabling easier network integration into existing production processes.

The new Swing.ie and Swing2.ce printers are both more affordable and easier to use than previous models. Changing the ribbon can now be done in less than 30 seconds.  Ribbons in 1,000 meter lengths may be mounted on the Swing printer, which means cost savings in terms of fewer ribbon changes and longer uptime.  

NEW economical KN380 continuous ink-jet for small character marking

The main differentiating feature of Matthews newest continuous ink-jet coding system, the KN380, is affordability.  “We believe the KN380 has the lowest price of any CIJ on the market,” said Trace Bocan, Matthews Marketing Manager.  “And with this printer’s functionality, it is definitely the best value CIJ.”

The KN380 is capable of printing up to two lines of small characters, within a height range of .07 in. - .59 in (1.8 mm – 15 mm high) on surfaces including wax-coated cartons, plastics or metals at speeds up to 660 characters per second.  It is ideally suited for date coding on food and beverage packages or lot coding for pharmaceutical or cosmetics/personal care packaging on high-speed production lines.

The printer features a built-in pump (no external shop air required), automatic ink viscosity diagnostics for consistent high-quality printing, convenient top-mount fill caps for adding ink quickly and a rugged stainless steel enclosure.  No tools are required to access and clean the printhead.

NEW I-Mark™ C84e continuous ink-jet small character marking system – easy to use, low maintenance

Matthews newly enhanced C84e continuous ink-jet (CIJ) system prints up to 4 lines of text from .05 in -.61 in. (1.25 mm-15.6 mm) high at a maximum line speed of 1,050 ft. per minute.  It may be used to print expiration dates, batch codes, logos and bar codes on porous or non-porous materials.   A large (10.4 in.), easy-to-read and use, icon-based color touchscreen and single-button controls for jet startup/shutdown make it both simple to operate and easy to create and edit messages. 
A new solvent pump and improved start-up/shut-down programming enable the C84e to start and shut down efficiently without the need for manual cleaning or maintenance.  A highly efficient ink fluid system gives the C84e an exceptionally low operating cost. Functionality additions include more remote programming capabilities and the ability to create customized counters, date, time, shift and expiry codes.  Further raster development has resulted in exceptional print quality. 

NEW I-Mark™ V84i DOD valve ink-jet controller for OEMs – simplified protocol for easy integration

The I-Mark™ V84i is a special OEM version of the V84 controller. Thanks to a simplified communications protocol, the V84i (which comes without a touchscreen) can be easily integrated with other components, such as touchscreen interfaces, power supplies, PLCs and other hardware, keeping overall machine development costs low.  Several V84i controllers can also be networked together in a highly structured printing system where each controller can drive multiple printheads on each production line.  The controllers would be individually addressed and communicate with each other. 

NEWLY EXPANDED I-Mark™ SX32e DOD valve ink-jet controller – affordability and double the memory

Matthews easy-to-use, low cost SX32e drop-on-demand printer has double the memory of its original design, so that it now can store 200 messages.  Used to print high-quality graphics, logos and date codes from 0.09 in. to 5 in. high, the SX32e has additional date code formats and counters, which allow operators to use custom date or batch code formats.   The SX32e powers Matthews low-ink consumption, high-resolution 8000 Series printheads.

Low-maintenance, high-resolution IP 7000 eliminates need for labels

Matthews IP 7000 ink-jet system for printing text, logos, graphics and bar codes on one or two sides of cartons/trays offers a combination of high print quality, exceptionally low ink consumption and minimal maintenance.  Matthews’ rugged printheads need no filter changes, recalibration or flushing when the system is shut down. Thanks to a re-circulating auto prime (RAP™) feature, the IP7000 consumes 35% less ink than competing printers.

Designed to print on all types of porous packaging material, the IP7000 has a minimum print height of 2 mm and maximum print height of 100 mm (3.94”) per printhead – one of the highest in the industry. The IP 7000 is PC-based and network-ready, making it easy to create and change print messages -- up to 32 lines of text, detailed graphics and scannable barcodes. 

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

Until now, high-resolution thermal transfer printing of bar codes, 2D matrix codes, lot codes, serial numbers 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. Coditherm is now available with a touchscreen controller, which permits messages for marking to be created via RS232, USB, Ethernet or wireless connection. 

I-Mark™ V84 DOD ink-jet controller with large color touchscreen

The latest addition to Matthews Drop-on-Demand (DOD) ink-jet printing controller family, the I-Mark™ V84 is ideal for printing up to 4-5 lines of text, graphics/logos, and bar codes for packaging and industrial applications.  It features an easy-to-use 10.4 inch color touchscreen interface.  The V84 can drive either standard printheads or Matthews new low ink-consumption, high-resolution 8000 Series DOD printheads, which last five times longer than other DOD printheads. 

Instead of global settings, the V84 allows for independent control of up to four DOD printheads to allow for maximum flexibility.  Icon-based navigation and WYSIWYG format simplify message set-up and changes.  Most printer functions are easily completed in a minute or less, saving time and money.

Maximum print speed is 680 fpm (feet per minute) and characters range from 3/32 in. (2.38mm) to 5 in. (127 mm) high, depending on the printhead selected.  The V84 uses fast-dry, pigmented, dye and water-based inks in a wide range of colors to print on porous and non-porous surfaces.

I-Mark™ SX-16 for simple, affordable case/tray coding

The compact, user-friendly SX-16 (2-line) case coder is one of Matthews most economical marking systems, priced at less than 25% of the cost of previously available Matthews printers and ideal for packagers needing a basic marking system.  Economy is combined with reliability in the SX family, which uses the company’s proprietary Drop-on-Demand (DOD) valve ink-jet technology, capable of operating in challenging environments.

The new SX-16 offers more memory than competing entry-level carton marking systems.  Easy to install and set up, the SX- 16 systems have controller, printhead and ink system integrated into one compact unit.  The sealed ink cartridge simply plugs into the SX16 so there is no mess.  An icon-based menu and hot keys make the system easy to operate.  The pressurized ink, using Matthews X-370 water-based ink, eliminates the need for an external ink pump

Recently introduced fiber laser system for on-the-fly marking on metalized or plastic materials

The e-SolarMark FL fiber laser marking system from Matthews provides on-the-fly or stationary permanent high-quality small character marking/coding of metalized or plastic materials, such as packaging foils.  With no consumables and an average life of 100,000 working hours, the new air-cooled laser marking system requires less space – and consumes less energy than typical YAG lasers. 

As a standard feature, the new system has the ability to turn text/code 90° and therefore print horizontally or vertically anywhere within the entire marking area.  Competing systems require programming to accomplish this, according to Joe Arnold, Matthews’ Product Manager.

Applications for the new e-SolarMark FL system include food/snackfood, beverage pouches, candy, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and others.
For more information on the complete range of Matthews Marking Products or the company’s exhibit at Pack Expo 2008, contact Stephanie Zahringer, Matthews Marking Products, 6515 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.  Telephone (412) 665-2504, fax (412) 365-2042, website: www.matthewsmarking.com.  Matthews Marking Products is a division of the Brand Solutions group of Matthews International Corporation.