Coding Machines and Marking Machines

Codes on packaging are a vital part of multiple industry sectors, displaying essential information for consumers and manufacturers, as well as meeting legislative requirements.

Approaches to coding and marking are constantly changing to meet the changing demands of end-users, the supply chain and the law. And with continual advances in technology, coding and marking requirements continue to be in a state of flux.

As a result, specifying coding and marking machines needs to be based on an up-to-date view of your options. Ideally, you will be able to accommodate flexibility and adaptability for future needs.

Over 80 PPMA member companies are experts in Coding and Marking Machines. Find the expert for you with our Machinery Finder, which includes full contact details for each one.

Coding and Marking Considerations

Topics to keep front of mind as you weigh up your options on coding machines include the following:

Materials
What substrate(s) do you need to code? Manufacturers use a plethora of different substrates and shapes in modern packaging including paper, card, plastics, bags, tubes, pouches, medicines, glass, tape, tin, foil, film and many more. It is vital to have a clear view of the coding and marking tasks you need your equipment to perform.
Speed
As in all manufacturing processes, balancing speed, efficiency and accuracy are critical.
Legibility
The quality and readability of the codes you produce are vital and in some cases will be covered by detailed legislation.
Data features
Data driven codes come in many forms including variable data, embedded data, QR codes and graphics.

What are the types of Coding and Marking Machine?

There are two basic methods of adding a code to a product or package – either by applying a label (contact), or by using an inkjet or laser to print the code without being in contact with the product or package (non-contact).

There is a whole range of machines and equipment carrying out these functions, from simple mechanical stamps or overprinters to sophisticated ink jet and laser coders applying computer generated data. These machines are usually attached to a larger packaging machine such as a cartoner, filler or wrapper.

Inkjet Coding
Sets a jet of ink onto packages as they pass in a production line. Includes options for larger characters, porous materials, wet or uneven surfaces such as cheese or fruit.
Laser Coders and Laser Coding
Programmed laser beam burns code onto packages. Can be used for plastic, glass, paper, cartons and more.
Thermal Transfer Printers and Printing Machines
High speed printing on paper and other materials using a transfer ribbon or foil. Includes barcode labels, plastics and clothing.
Wet Ink Coding Machines
By means of a heated die or inkjet.
Emboss Coding
Marks a package with raised type.

Modern inkjet and laser coders can be programmed to carry a large amount of variable information such as lot number, date code, and sequential coding based on a unique serial number which is recorded in a secure database. A range of styles, typefaces and character sizes can be used and changed easily especially in comparison with older mechanical devices.

Sophisticated software means coders can be programmed to create a different mark for every product to create a track-and-trace feature on a pack. This helps to prevent counterfeiting. Track-and-trace features can also be used to ease product recall, monitor product quality and track products internally. Examples include sequential or non-sequential codes, a covert code or a machine-readable code.

Both small and large character inkjet coding machines are available. The former tend to be used for individual pack information and can be effective at high speeds, such as drink can lines. The latter tends to be used in warehousing and distribution on transit packages and pallets.

FIND CODING AND MARKING EXPERT COMPANIES

Find full information about PPMA Member Companies who are experts in Coding Machines and Marking Machines through PPMA Machine Finder.

Common Coding and Marking Machine Terminology

Bar codes
Data capture
Dot matrix
Scribing
Drop on demand
Ink reservoir
Stamp
Die
Ink reel
Ink droplets
Laser tube
Print head
Embossing
Large character
Small character
Track & trace
Programmable
Overprinting

Emboss Coding Machines

An Emboss Coder is an attachment to a packaging machine which marks a package by embossing or debossing it with raised type. Used to code the base of cans and sometimes used to make a code in a pack seal.

Hot Foil Coder

An attachment to a packaging machine which marks a package by transferring dry ink carried on a reel of film using a heated die to make the transfer.

Ink Jet Coding Machines

An InkJet Coder is an attachment to a packaging machine which marks the package by jetting ink in a pre-determined pattern as it passes in front of a jet activated by a sensor at a fixed point in the packaging line. The position of this printing head and the sensor ensure the code is placed on the correct part of the package as it passes.

Drop-On-Demand Coders: An attachment which prints the characters on the package by jetting ink from a matrix of nozzles usually for larger characters on porous materials such as corrugated outer cases, sacks.

Continuous Stream InkJet Coders: An attachment which applies characters by means of a non-contact stream of electro-statically charged droplets of ink. Typical applications are wet or uneven surfaces, or where a code is applied directly to the product, such as cheese or fruit.

Laser Coders & Laser Coding

Laser Coding is an attachment to a packaging machine which marks packages using a laser beam which has been programmed to produce a code or date and burning it onto the package. Used where ink coding is unsuitable for the product and where high volumes of pack make the initial outlay for the equipment more cost effective than the purchase of large quantities of consumables such as ink.

Some laser coders can print text, graphics and variable data onto a variety of materials including plastic, glass, paper and cartons. As there are no liquids involved in the process, laser systems are considered cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Thermal Transfer Printers & Printing Machines

Thermal Transfer Printer / Printing – a printer for printing on paper as well as a selection of other materials; The process of melting a coating of ribbon so that it stays glued to the material on which the print is applied contrasts with Direct thermal printing where no ribbon is present in the process.

Usage of Thermal Transfer printers in industry includes – barcode labels or marking clothing labels, printing plastic labels for chemical containers.

Barcode printers typically come in fixed sizes from 20mm to 250mm wide, the main application for this type of printer is for the production of barcode labels for product and shipping identification.

The printers use a fixed width thermal print head pressing onto a paper or plastic label over a driven rubber roller. Between the print head and label is sandwiched a very thin thermal transfer ribbon (sometimes called foil) which is a polyester film, coated on the label side with a wax, wax resin or pure resin 'ink'.

As the label and ribbon are driven beneath the print head, tiny pixels across the width of the print head are heated and cooled so as to melt the 'ink' off the polyester film and onto the label, this process accounts for the fast speed of the printers and dries instantly.

Thermal print heads are often 203 dots per inch (8 dots per mm) or 300dpi (12 dots per mm), some manufacturers however now make 600dpi printers to produce very small barcodes for the electronics industry such as the battery compartment of a mobile phone.

Thanks to high print speeds, label printers have become very sophisticated with powerful processors and large memory capacities allowing them to produce label images printed at the same speed as the print mechanism. To achieve these speeds almost all thermal label printers use special description languages to allow the label to be laid out inside the printers memory prior to printing.

Wet Ink Coding Machines

Solid Ink Jet Coder

An attachment to a packaging machine which marks the package using dry ink from a solid block by means of a heated die.

Drop-on-demand Ink Jet Coder

An ink jet coder which prints a character by jetting ink from a matrix of nozzles.

Continuous Stream Ink Jet Coder

An ink jet coder which prints a character by applying varying electrostatic charges to droplets of ink.