• Norwood Marking Systems

Traversing System For Multi-Lane Multi-Row Thermal Transfer Printing

Norwood Marking Systems/Allen Coding Systems has introduced its new ThermalPakâ„¢ Traversing System for high-speed multi-lane, multi-row printing. Featuring up to 14 thermal transfer print heads integrated on one common platform, the system prints multiple lanes simultaneously and quickly traverses to print multiple rows before starting the next machine cycle. Ideal for use on a wide variety of horizontal-form-fill-seal (HFFS) and IV bag forming machines that produce multiple lanes and multiple rows of packages per cycle, the ThermalPak Traversing System maximises production throughput and flexibility. With 300-dpi (12 dots per mm) resolution, the system can print fixed and variable text, graphics and multiple bar code formats on a variety of packaging substrates to add expiration dates, product identification information, lot/batch numbers, company logos and more to thermoformed packages and IV bags. Each print head can print at speeds up to 9.84 inches (250 mm) per second, with multiple print heads handling multiple lanes simultaneously at this speed. The traversing speed of up to 15.35 inches (390 mm) per second, accomplished via a servo-driven linear ball screw actuator, allows the system to print multiple rows in quick succession, achieving up to 21 cycles per minute, based on a cycle spanning 19.69 inches (500 mm) between the first row and the last. Norwood / Allen can customize the system to handle cycles that span more than 19.69 inches (500 mm), if needed.