Product category:
Component marking, printing and labelling systems (non-laser)
News Release from: Linx Printing Technologies | Subject: 'hot glass coding' laser marking system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 26 May 2006
Glass bottles laser coded while hot
A glass bottle manufacturer has installed a novel laser coding equipment to enable coding directly onto the bottle whilst glass is hot, and withstand handling during filling and distribution.
Renowned glass bottle manufacturer O-I has installed unique laser coding equipment from Linx at its Harlow facility to enable coding directly onto the bottle whilst the glass is still hot As a supplier to all of the UK's top five breweries and many of the country's leading regional players, O-I recognises the value of providing a reliable code for traceability
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"We were keen to ensure that the container code was easily distinguishable from the information used by the filling company to identify the batch or use by date of the bottle contents," commented Mark Eldrett, quality assurance manager of O-I.
"In addition, we desired a durable solution that could withstand the rigours of being handled through the filling and distribution process.
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If the text is damaged or removed, it is ineffectual for purposes of traceability or authenticity." As a result of these factors, ink jet coding was considered unsuitable for O-I's requirements and Linx recommended the use of its unique 'hot glass coding' laser solution.
The principle behind this technology is that better laser coding results are achieved when coding takes place close to the point at which the bottle or jar is formed, while the glass is still red hot.
This is because this process generates a very 'clean', smooth mark that is less visible and thus more discreet than codes created on cold glass.
Not surprisingly, coding onto glass containers at the actual point of manufacture presents a number of challenges both in terms of the process itself and the extreme conditions in glass manufacturing plants.
For example, during manufacture, the temperature of the newly formed bottle reaches 650 deg C, while the ambient temperature close to the production line is around 70 deg C.
The Xymark BBH is specially adapted for this hostile environment.
To ensure an effective code, the laser optics are designed to tolerate a long lens-to-product distance and have sufficient depth of focus to deal with the slight inconsistencies in the alignment of the bottles as they travel down the line.
The extra-long beam delivery system, comprising flexible arm and printhead, can withstand ambient temperatures up to 70 deg C.
The coder itself is designed for installation above or beside the production line and has a special cooling system allowing it to operate at 45 deg C.
The Xymark BBH also features a remote keyboard to allow the system to be programmed, adjusted and controlled from a remote location.
O-I has installed the Xymark BBH on six of the seven high speed production lines at its Harlow glass plant.
Each is programmed to apply a single-line alphanumeric code at 50m/min, indelibly marking date and time of manufacture onto the base of the bottle immediately after it has been formed.
This position ensures the required differentiation from the coding information applied by the manufacturer, which is generally printed on to the bottle neck, closure or label.
"The Xymark BBH provides us with a smooth, long-lasting finish and fast application, and we are pleased with the commitment, support and technical expertise provided by Linx throughout the installation process," commented Eldrett.
* About Linx Printing Technologies - Linx Printing Technologies is a leading global supplier of Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers, impulse jet printers and laser coders.
Its printers and coders are used across many different industries where product identification codes, batch numbers, dates and barcodes are required.
All Linx products are designed with low cost of ownership in mind and are distinguished by reliability, robustness and ease of use.
Linx products code and mark millions of items every day, ranging from bottles, packages and cans of consumer goods to pharmaceutical products, cabling, electrical components and car parts.
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