Comparison with other printing methods (Advantages)
Continuous Inkjet Printing offers many advantages when compared to other traditional marking methods.
Comparison to stamping
|
Stamp |
Continuous inkjet printer |
Cost |
- Manual task, which requires extra personnel costs
|
- Printing can be performed while products are moving, which will minimize manpower
|
Productivity |
- Small spots may occur during stamping and quick operation cannot be performed
|
- Quick-drying ink enables printing on fast-moving lines
|
Quality |
- Print quality is varied depending on different operators, resulting in missing or thinned print
- Human error is posssible when changing printing plates
|
- Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
- Can easily be integrated to vision inspection systems
|
Management |
- The amount of ink used must be appropriately adjusted to prevent printing errors
|
- Easy maintenance with automatic cleaning function
|
Comparison to hot foil printers
|
Hot foil printer |
Continuous inkjet printer |
Cost |
- Running costs for ink ribbons and printing plate replacement
|
- Lower running cost since ink ribbons are not needed
|
Productivity |
- Changing printing plates takes time to warm up and cool down
|
- No need for process changeover
|
Quality |
- Printing flaws may occur from wear of printing plates or contact pressure fluctuations
|
- Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
|
Management |
- Temperature and contact pressure must be managed appropriately
|
- Easy maintenance with automatic cleaning function
|
Comparison to labelers
|
Labeler |
Continuous inkjet printer |
Cost |
- Running costs of labels itself
|
- No need for labels so direct printing enables lower running costs
|
Productivity |
- Downtime may occurs from jamming
|
- Better production efficiency since there is no need for labeling process
|
Quality |
- Labels can possibly be mixed up and peeled off
|
- Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
|
Management |
- Label inventory management is a hassle as constant stock of labels must be kept
|
- There is no need to manage stock of labels due to direct printing on products
|
Comparison to punching machines
|
Punching machine |
Continuous inkjet printer |
Cost |
- Manual task, which requires extra personnel costs
|
- No personnel costs - printing is done while products are moving
|
Productivity |
- Positioning and tooling changes are needed for each product type
|
- Better production efficiency - No need for tool changes
|
Quality |
- Marking flaws may occur from contact pressure fluctuations
|
- Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
|
Management |
- Extra effort is required to adjust contact pressure and manage printing plates
|
- No need to suspend production for process changeover
|
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