Product category:
Laser marking systems
News Release from: Linx Printing Technologies | Subject: Linx laser coders
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 September 2005
Small spot size lasers code products
easily
Small spot size laser coders that code 'The Body Shop' range of 'Home Fragrance' oils have brought indelible codes, ease of use and coding reliability says the manufacturer.
Indelible codes, ease of use and reliability are just a few of the benefits now enjoyed by Soapworks , following its investment in two Linx Printing Technologies' 300SL small spot size laser coders to code The Body Shop range of Home Fragrance oils Established in 1988, Soapworks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Body Shop International, the well known High Street retailer famous for creating a niche market sector for naturally-inspired skin and hair care products
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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At its Glasgow site a wide variety of The Body Shop products are manufactured including the full range of Home Fragrance and perfume oils.
According to David Ridland, Soapworks' QC and environmental manager, the purchase of new laser coding technology demanded a system that: "Scored maximum points for reliability, ease of use and quality indelible codes that were not jeopardised by coming into contact with the fragrances that are bottled." The Linx laser coders have more than satisfied each of these requirements.
David Ridland reports that both machines they purchased have performed faultlessly.
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Compact scribing laser coder is more compact and lighter weight than other industrial laser coders in its class and delivers greater print performance, says the manufacturer.
He went on to say: "We looked at competitor machines, but being a happy existing Linx customer and having used the company's CIJ machines for the last few years, we know that Linx offers value for money as well as reliable machines that produce high quality codes".
"Therefore, Linx was the natural choice." Two Linx 300SL units, with the small spot size option, are used to code The Body Shop's entire range of glass bottles containing Home Fragrance oils.
At Soapworks a two or three shift production regime ensures that output can cope with consumer demand.
Production is automated and comprises product filling, neck plugging and capping.
The company previously used polypropylene label stock blind embossed with the code, but now applies traceability codes onto the heel of the glass bottles using the Linx 300SL units which, with their small spot size laser coders, are ideal for the size of the glass bottles, as well as ensuring a permanent code.
Typically, codes are made up of five 1.5mm x 1.3mm alphanumeric characters.
Up to 2400 bottles are coded every hour.
The Linx 300SL units are fixed to the filling lines immediately after the auto dropper filling and cap application.
The production lines are automatic from empty glass feed through to filling heads to the dropper and cap applications.
The bottles are then coded, have labels applied and are automatically collated.
Ridland explains: "While the codes we apply are relatively straight forward, we have a large number of variants".
"We therefore need hassle-free printers that are unobtrusive on the shop floor and simply 'get on with it'".
"The Linx units are perfect for this and have never let us down." * Linx 300SL with small spot size option - Linx Printing Technologies expanded the choice of the Linx 300SL compact scribing laser systems with the introduction of a small (0.15mm) spot size option.
It enables users to create extra small characters and intricate graphics without loss of quality or definition.
Due to its fine marking capability, the small spot size option is ideal in applications requiring small discreet codes, fine graphics, or intricate characters such as Chinese or other Oriental scripts.
Examples of applications include printing on electronic components, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and any products where space for variable information is at a premium.
It is also suitable for more difficult to mark materials because of the higher energy density produced.
The Linx 300SL mid-powered system is more compact and lighter weight than other industrial laser coders in its class and delivers greater print performance.
Based on state-of-the-art steered-beam laser technology, the Linx 300SL is suitable for a wide range of coding and marking applications on medium-speed production lines.
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