Videojet launches 90° adjustable printhead

Videojet, a producer of coding and marking technology, has introduced its latest CIJ product development, a 90° adjustable printhead, which has been designed specifically for use with the Videojet 1860 continuous inkjet printer, enabling manufacturers to easily adjust the printhead when their coding configuration changes.

With the 1860 printer, Videojet integrates leading on-board intelligence and communication abilities with technology elements to help meet the ever evolving and expanding needs of manufacturers. The latest printhead development has been designed to address the need to be able to adjust the line configuration in order to process different pack sizes and SKUs without requiring different printer hardware.

The 1860’s optional 90° printhead further enhances manufacturers’ needs for flexibility when looking to integrate the printhead into a production line. If the printer relocates to an alternate production line, this printhead requires just a simple readjustment as needed.

Additionally, in situations when a straight umbilical is oriented vertically pointing down or horizontally, the bend of the umbilical can put stress and on the wires and tubing inside. In the vertical application instead of having an upside down U-shape from the umbilical, the umbilical can be horizontal from the printhead. It would be a similar case for the horizontal positioning as well. The 90° design reduces the amount of bend required to integrate into small spaces, limiting the potential for damage to the wiring. In particular, this is of benefit in traversing applications which can stress the umbilical repeatedly.

The adjustable printhead also uses a ratcheting design that offers 350° of movement. The space-saving design enables the printhead to integrate around the customer’s line instead of the customer needing to rearrange their line to fit the printer.

The 45° slanted design feature on the face of the printhead delivers increased versatility through better line integration, with more mounting options providing closer proximity to the product on the line. The printhead can get as close as 2mm to the product, even in gable top or other angled packaging applications, enabling crisper, higher quality codes.

The new nozzle system features a predictive gutter build-up sensor, and provides advance notice of the most common potential fault conditions. Alert notifications are displayed on the printer and can be sent to a smart device, allowing for pre-emptive corrective action during line changeover or other planned production stoppage. In addition, the 1860’s fluid system features a make-up reserve tank, which can keep the printer in action for up to a full shift, even if a supplies refill alert goes unactioned.