Aluminium foil lid coding is a common application for the dairy industry who apply code directly to yoghurt, cream and custard pots. The use-by-dates, batch numbers or variable information applied must be high-resolution and durable to guarantee consumer safety and product traceability.
On-line coding of aluminium foil lids
Due to advancements in ink formulations, thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers can easily produce a durable, clear print onto most non-porous substrates, including aluminum foil lids. The units, which are maintenance and mess-free, use drop-on-demand technology to avoid spillage and contamination.
Because the lids commonly cover perishable items, coding must be fast and efficient, with minimal downtime. Therefore, TIJ technology is widely used on dairy production lines, as the printers start up and shut down instantaneously, with the only requirement being quick cartridge replacement.
Multiple printers can be wirelessly connected, allowing one operator to control the formats away from the production line. In turn, printers can be closely monitored, reducing the risk of product recalls through misprinting.
