Case study: Fourpure Brewing adds Linx printers for date coding cans, boxes in-line

We travel to London-based brewery Fourpure Brewing Co. to take a look at the Linx 8900 Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printer that is now printing three lines of code onto the base of its aluminium cans. The Linx 8900 is currently running at 12,000 cans per hour, printing vertically against gravity. The conveyor sits higher than the printer and a 2m conduit has been supplied to enable the printhead to be positioned directly underneath.

These are subsequently packed into boxes, onto which two Linx TJ725 Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printers apply product information text and a barcode. The arrival of the Linx TJ725 has enabled the coding of boxes to be carried out in-line for greater efficiency, delivering important cost and time savings compared to the previous method of hand applying labels to boxes on pallets offline. The Linx TJ725 codes 20 boxes per minute.

Linx Black fast-drying ink 1240 has been selected for the Linx 8900 as it is able to deal effectively with typical filling conditions such as dampness, humidity and water vapor while ensuring excellent adhesion and high clarity codes.

Linx printer features

A particular benefit of both printers for Fourpure is their ability to deliver excellent quality codes from the moment they start up, even if they are run intermittently. The Linx 8900 features Linx’s proven autoflush system which thoroughly cleans the printhead every time it is shut down for a fast and clean startup when next required. The Linx TJ725’s Active Cartridge Care System slows the nozzle drying process to give good consistent prints every time.

Both printers incorporate intuitive touch screens for easy setup and product changeovers. The cartridge system on the Linx 8900 makes changing fluids a fast and simple process, while the Linx TJ725 features a replaceable ink cartridge with integral printhead that can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds.

“We particularly like the ease of use of the Linx 8900,” confirmed Steve Morris, Fourpure’s head of packaging. “Changing fluids is really simple with the printer’s cartridge system, and setup and selection of codes are equally user-friendly.”