Using pigmented inks in continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers has traditionally been a hassle – I’ve written about it here.
While dye-based inks run smoothly, the particles in pigmented inks (usually used when the print needs to be high-opacity white or yellow on a dark background) tend to settle out of solution, can block nozzles and lines, and often require agitation.
So generally, you can expect to spend more maintenance time on CIJ printers running pigment inks.
The team at Videojet has recently unveiled a new CIJ printer – the Videojet 1880 C. This new model is designed to overcome the drawbacks of pigmented inks and is said to work well with both hard and soft pigment fluids.
From the Videojet site:
- No tradeoff between contrast and throughput while maintaining line speeds comparable to standard Videojet dye-based CIJ printers
- More predictable day-to-day operation from an ink system designed to reduce sedimentation and pigment buildup
- Fewer planned maintenance stops with a long‑life ink tank that doesn’t require annual replacement
- Restart with automatic recovery routines after up to four weeks of shutdown without manual intervention
- Seamless integration into production environments with the help of Intelligent I/O capabilities
- Videojet MAXIMiZE™ built-in diagnostics suite helps reduce the main causes of unplanned downtime
Assuming the new printer performs as intended, this could be a strong option for anyone needing to add production and date codes to a wide range of packaging types.
If you are going to be visiting Pack Expo International, you can see Videojet at Booth S-2042. You can also see more about the new 1880 C printer here.
